The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-29
Bad Policy to Do Anything
That Will Discourage
Capital.
ANOTHER TRAGEDY EXPECTED.
Electric Cars Totally Ignore the 0rdi.
nance Regulating Their Passing
at Crossings.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL,

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL
908 Broadway, June %.
alameda County is suffering from the
taIkativeness of some of its officials said
a man of wealth and influence this week.
Although rich men do not, as rule, have
much regard for county officials, there is
much truth in the remark at this time.
The particular offender during the fiscal
year has been Harry Dalton, the Assessor.
Every few days an interview with Mr., Dali
ton is printed, in which he gives
TO the public some information which
they have no business to expect
1t is presumed that Mr.. Dalton does
his duty, as he is we'll paid for doing it ), it
is not supposed that he is doing more or
less; therefore, it is bad etiquette to pro-
claim and defend his position on points
that nobody has raised. In his researches
among the merchants and bankers the
Assessor learns much of the inner work
ings of the taxpayers affairs that should
be regarded as confidential.
The law makes liberal allowance for the
advertising of all kinds of tax notices, and
does not require the Assessor to give no.
tice of his private intentions and views in
ton has been quoted as saying that he is
the foe to CORPORATIONS and that none of
their personal property shall escape taxa
ton that is located in this county. The
Assessor has no business to be the foe of
any tax-paying concern or individual, and
as for the rest, he is paid to assess per-
sonal property and to assess 1t all, and to
assess it honestly.
Mr.. Dalton has been a good Assessor,
but it is not good policy for any official to
say anything which carries a different
meaning from that which he intended to
convey.
Many men Of capital in Oakland have
received communications asking about the
possibilities of investments and requesting
some light on the methods of assessment.
When the title to the water front is clear
it will present unparalleled facilities for
the establishment of manufacturing plants.
Only by such additions can Oakland be-
come what it's splendid harbor entities it
to be, and anything that operates to the
alienation of capital is bad policy. If an
election were at hand the voluminous tex
plantations of officials might be some
what justified, but they are all in office
till 1898, and they are surely politicians
enough to know that anything said or
done at this time will cut no figure two
years hence.
The High libel case promises to furnish
the opportunity for which many promi-
nent Oaklanders have been looking. For
several months the men who play a con-
spicuous part in the superficial life of the
f0r locs -
opportunity to make public much that is
of interest to the masses. The chance has
now come, and to-morrow's trial will
surely be sensational one in many re-
spects. Editor High has collided with
the most powerful interests in this city
and he realizes it. but announces his in
tention to fight to finish. He says when
he heard that W. W. Foote was to prose-
cute for Mr.. Dingee he felt inclined to
engage the services of Messrs. Corbett and
Sharkey, but compromised with himself
on Attorney Beatty, because he trained
me for my first footrace, and l wish him
to train me for my first libel case, as | ex-
pect many more" The list of witnesses
includes some bank presidents and lead
ing politicians, and many hints were
dropped to-day of expected disclosures. It
may be that there will he some disap-
pointment. Judge Wood is not partial to
irrelevant testimony and much of the ex-
pected sensation may be ruled out. In any
event the Police Court will be an interest
ing place tomorrow.
A few months ago two beautiful little
girls were mangled by an electric car in
West Oakland. Their young lives might
have been saved had not two cars been
passing at a street crossing. This matter
was proved to the satisfaction of the City
Council, and an ordinance was passed
regulating the passing of cars at crossings.
The new ordinance is totally ignored, and
not day passes that there is not score
of narrow escapes from exactly the same
cause. On the many lines crossing Broad
way disobedience to the ordinance is par
ticularly noticeable. There will be another
fearful tragedy before long. and when the
streetcar companies are mulcted in heavy
damages they may find it is cheaper not
to pass each other within fifty feet OF a
crossing.
Major Pico OF Temeseal is opposed to
the veto power of an executive officer.
j VICE has Tue pdSSeQ MS
claim for supplying goods to soldiers in
active service many years ago, and both
times the Governor has vetoed the bill.
He was on Broadway this afternoon with
an armful of new evidence that he says
will convince Governor Budd of the just
ness OF his claim. He has found an afi-
davit from Senator Fair, another from
Newton Booth and others from the off,
GERS of regiments he supplied, and these
he will present to the Governor He has
also brought out witness from England
to help him make his fight again, and now
he feels confident that the veto will not be
applied. A very clear case is made out by
the affidavits, and it certainly appears that
the major is entitled to the few thousands
he asks. During the alcalde days the
Picos made many munifcent grants to the
State, but the last of his race, now
broken-down pensioner. is having a hard
time to collect bill forty years old.
S. w. B.
Broke His Wrist.
OAKLAND, CAL, June %. = Joseph
Hooson, a student of ST. Mary's College,
went to San Leandro to-day from his home