The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-26

handicapped in the existence of large
land holdings and silurian spirit on the
part OF their owners, who although they
would profit by the subdivision OF their
holdings stubbornly refuse to Initiate
movement which would make that section
paradise" This is one of the evils that
weighs most heavily upon many sections
OF California, and the newspapers OF the
State can hardly render a better service
than in striving to break it up. The praise
given to Woodland will be none the less
appreciated because this evil in her sur
roundings is noted, and on the other hand
the clear criticism of the situation con-
tanned in the Tribune may prove largely
instrumental in bringing about a subdlvls-
ion OF the large land holdings under the
wholesome pressure of an educated pubic
opinion.
With considerable force of argument
the San Bernardino Sun urges the people
of that section to grnb-stake industrious
men among the unemployed and send
them out to search for gold. 1t claims,
reasonably enough, that there is probably
more gold in the mountain ranges ana
gravel beds of California than has yet been
taken out, and says: "There has seldom
been period-not within twenty-five years
certainly-when greater number OF rich
discoveries have been made in California
than within the past six months"
That there are sufficient inducemen is
ahead to encourage prospecting for gold IN
many parts of the State is beyond ques-
ton, but whether it is advisable to enter
upon the adventure of grub-staking the
average unemployed man in these days
is another consideration. The business OF
grub-staking was profitable enough In the
old days when nearly every adVenturer In
California had keen desire to search for
gold and went at it for the love OF 1t. In
these days, however, there are many idle
men who have no aspirations in that way,
and if given grub-stake would simply go
to some pleasant canyon in the mountains
and have a picnic. 1t will not hurt the
people of San Bernardino to grub-stake
man whom they know to be true miner,
or man with gold-hunting instincts, but
in helping the average unemployed wan
derer, they will find it more profitable to
stake him out where they can watch him
earn his grub.
According to the Visalia Delta there is not
a vacant store or office-room in the city,
nor a single desirable residence to let. 1t
says: "Several of each could be rented at
once if available, and in order to supply
the demand more building will have to be
done. A fourmill is building, and fruit
packing establishment will follow. A new
water system is being laid, and the streets
fronting all business blocks will soon be
paved" Statements of this kind attest
the solid foundation upon which the pres
ent revival of industry throughout the
State is based. There is nothing in it of
speculative character. 1t comes to supply
the permanent needs of our increasing
population. During the two years of de-
preston towns like Visalia have outgrown
the existing equipment of the social Or
ganism, and now they have to set to work
lively to provide new homes, offices, stores
and shops to make room for themselves
and afford exercise for their energies.
The editor of the Crescent City Record
has given notice that ''long communica-
lions on religious sects or creeds other than
those that tend to harmonic the different
denominations will be refused publication
through the columns of the Record here
after" This resolution is wisely taken
and shows clear appreciation of the true
limits of newspaper discussion. A live
journal can concern itself only with those
debates which tend to action and lead to
an understanding by which the majority
can be brought to agree upon policy and
act with that unity which is necessary for
the best success. This is true of all contro
hath ipO
There are too many discussions in the
world over things which ought to be done
for newspaper to give any of its space to
combats in the air over merely speculative
opinions.
Not satisfied with the results of the ex-
periments with the Nicholson pavement in
San Francisco and Portland, the Los
Angeles Record urges another experiment
with it in that city. It claims the value of
that pavement is dependent upon the kind
of wood used, and that in Australian cities
where the material is obtained from the
gum tree the pavements even under the
heavy traffic of Melbourne and Sydney,
require to be relaid only about once in six
years. Ii these statements are correct it
might prove benefit to the State for Los
Angeles to make the experiment. The
gum tree grows with great vigor in Cali
fornia, and if it can be shown to make
substantial street paving there would be
good profit in growing it not only for home
use, but for shipment to Eastern cities.
Lovers of good living will be pleased to
learn that the San Diego World reports
successful attempt to propagate Eastern
oysters in Alamitos Bay. The supply at
present is too small to be put upon the
market, but the prospects are said to be so
good the experimenters are sanguine of
being able in a few years to supply the
Pacific Coast with as delicious bivalves as
ever grew in the Chesapeake. This of
course is not the only place in which the
oyster industry may soon be thriving, for
Eastern oysters have been propagated at
several points along the coast, but we can
never have too much of good thing of
that kind and therefore there will be no
little satisfaction in the cheering reports
from the breeding grounds of Alamitos.
PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT.
Col onel Bigger is now private secretary to