The San Francisco call., 1896-04-25
WEBSTER-STREET BRIDGE
Alameda Taking Precaution to
Prevent Change of
Location.
Unitarian Conference Closes Post.
ponement of Various Social
Gatherings.

ALAMEDA, CAL. April 4.-The city
authorities are determined not to be
caught mapping on the proposed idea of
building new bridge across the estuary,
and removing the present Webster street
bridge. In addition to demonstrating
with the Secretary of War on such line
of action the City Clerk forwarded letters
to-day to Senator George Perkins and Con-
gresham S. G. Hilbosn, explaining the
situation and requesting their assistance.
The objections taken are:
First-That the Webster.street draw
bridge has been at it present location for
more than quarter of century; that be-
tween the bridge and the highland of
Alameda there extends mile of roadway,
constructed at great expense, over a marsh
of snch nature that it took many years
of settling and refilling before the roadway
obtained its present foundation; that any
material change in the location of said
bridge will require at great expense the
construction of another roadway; and that
the city OF Alameda has no other street or
right of way over the marsh.
Second-The present bridge is located
at point which best suits the convenience
of the public travelling between Alameda
and Oakland.
Third-The direct continuation of said
roadway in the city of Alameda is known
us Seventh street, and is business center,
and there is no other business street in
said city within distance OF two miles,
and as Alameda is a residence city it is not
desirable to create new business centers
Fourth-The location of said bridge is
on the narrowest point of the estuary ly-
ing between Alameda and Oakland, and
the construction of a bridge elsewhere
tofl 1xy
ton, but additional cost and danger for
maintenance.
Fifth-The approaches and streets
leading to the present bridge on both the
Alameda and Oakland sides have been
constructed and improved SO as to render
| easy access TO it, and any change would
seriously incommode the travelling public,
besides requiring a large outlay for new
approaches.
Sixth-The abandonment of said road
way would direct travel and trade from its
present established channels, destroy real
estate values and business interests, and
work irreparable injury to the city.
In addition it was added to the letter
that if the War Department decides to
construct bridge at new location it will
do SO on some point eastward of the
Southern Pacific railroad bridge.
Unitarian Conference,
ALAMEDA, CAL, April 24.-The third
and last sitting of the Pacific Unitarian
Conference was held this morning and the
business quickly disposed of. No decision
was arrived at for the meeting place next
year. Portland was suggested, but the mat
ter was left in the hands of the directors.
The new directors chosen, holding office for
four years, were: Rev. Horato Stebbins,
d. D., San Francisco; Rev. C. w. Wendte.
Oakland; Rev. A. J. Wells San Francisco !;
Rev. E. NJ. Wilbur, Portland, Or. Resolu-
tions were adopted thanking the Alameda
church members for their hospitality. ap-
news paper of the church. and thanking
the press generally for its reports of the
conference meetings.
The woman suffrage movement, which
was presented for discussion by request,
was frowned down upon by both sexes and
! totally ignored.
The idea of forming Young Peoples
Religious Union on the lines OF the
| Christian Endeavor Society, the outcome
of discussion led by Rev. Mrs. e. r..
Wilkes. did not find favor in the eyes of
the delegates.
Forward Movement sermons are to be
given in the various churches around the
bay, whose incumbents will exchange pull
i pits. Next Sunday Rev. G. r. Dodson of
| Alameda will preach in San Jose both
morning and evening, and the Rev. w G.
Eliot and Rev. N. Haskell will conduct
| services in Alameda.
Mrs. T. l.. Eliot of Portland contributed
a paper of much weight on How to Hold
Our Young People in the Church," that
| the Charming Auxiliary will be requested
to publish.
Professor Edward Griggs delivered a
| lecture on "Moral Education in the
afternoon, and Rev. E. Wilbur read pa
per on "The Assured Results of the
Higher Criticism
In the evening a special session was
held for the ordaining of Mrs. Sarah Pratt
Carr, Lemoore, CAL, into the ministry.