The San Francisco call., 1896-08-24
The Fire Ordinance Would Have
Added Comfort to the
Exposition.
SUGGESTION FOR NEXT YEAR.
Impressions of 0akland's Latest Visitor
of Note, Mrs. Tunnsll, the Man.
ager of Matte Overman.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,l
Q0Q Rroaduau Auo 90

90S Broadway, Aug. %. !
One of the most i'm portant matters that
have ever come before the Oakland Board
of Trade is that of undertaking TO see that
the great newspapers who profess to have
the interests of this county so much at
heart shall act up to their professions.
Not less than 100000 people are residents
of this county and as there is plenty of
room to sustain three times that number
the only hope of increasing the popuIa-
tion is to attract it from less favored quar-
ters. This can only be done through the
medium of the newspapers that go to
every part of the country. To devote
page of San Francisco paper to this
county only for the edition that is circu-
lated on this side of the bay is of no value
as an advertising medium and OF no value
to the Oaklander who is outside of his
own city and who wants to keep posted
regarding its affairs. 1t is such small
methods as these that for so long caused
many people to think of and look upon
this city as colossal bedchamber to San
Francisco.
AS regards The CALL, the merchants of
this city have always regarded it as their
most stanch supporter, knowing full well
that every copy of its immense daily edi-
ton carries to all the centers of civiliza-
ton a complete, intelligent and reliable
report of the history OF each day of Ala
media County. The men who are the back
bone of this community have long since
looked with regret upon the large amount
of space wasted daily by some newspapers
upon guessing contests, story contests,
coupon fakes aimed at deriving portion
of the profits legitimately the income of
merchants, and similar illegitimate ad-
juncts to journalism. More especially did
this feeling increase when it was known
that the space which was of most value to
them was sacrificed to make room for that
which was useless to them. They have
decided it is an unbusinesslike PROPOSE
ton and have wisely threatened to return
the policy of being ignored.
The second exposition is now matter
OF history, but as 1t is to be an annual af-
fair it is but right that there should be
Improvements each year based on the ex-
perience of its predecessor. Last year the
great lesson learned was the need of re-
serving a comfortable auditorium in
which the visitors could enjoy the daily
programmes. This year the lesson to be
solved is how to handle the immense
crowds in the auditorium and galleries.
Last night there were probably $500 peo-
pie witnessing the children's opera. 1t
can truly be said that the 500 marred to a
great extent the pleasure of the 10000. 1t
is not easy to see how a few ushers could
have improved matters with such an i'm
mense crowd, but the Fire Department
could. There is an ordinance which is In
tended for just such an occasion and
which should not be neglected, even good
naturedly. It was passed by the Council
because it was needed and it provides for
the keeping clear of all aisles in places OF
amusement.
It was neglect ed at the exposition, and
that there was no accident in consequence
is no argument in favor of such neglect, as
people never expect accidents. The ordi-
nance was not passed to cover the case OF
a prayer meeting, where everybody can
have his choice of score of seats. but
for just such gatherings as are seen nightly
at the exposition. Next year the crowds
will be as proportionately larger as they
are this year over last, and an enforce
ment of the ordinance will be reciprocated
by the gratitude of 5000 people daily.
This will be hard winter in Oakland
for politicians should the Supreme Court
cut the four-year term Of county officials
in half. A county campaign would be
like mamma on the desert this fall, and
without it it is not easy to see how 1.-THE
push" is to exist till it migrates to Sacra-
m ento at New Year.
The voters are just about as interested
as the officials. There would be many
changes in the county buildings should
an election be held, and in some respects
this is contamination devoutly to be
wished. S. W.B.