The San Francisco call., 1896-06-19
Anxiety to Provide Revenue for
Legitimate Purposes
Only.
sILURIAN METHODS PREVAIL.
Too Many Officials for the Speedy and
Businesslike Transaction of
Government.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALI
SOS Rrnadunr lima 10

sos Broadway, June Is.
The Good Government Association of
Oakland has commenced its campaign in
favor OF low tax levy for the next fiscal
year. AS the Council must fix the levy at
the hrst meeting in July the matter is en-
eaglng the attention of every taxpayer.
The Good Government Association
came into existence last year, and as a re-
suit OF its work the tax levy was not per-
mltted to exceed the dollar, which is the
limit allowed by the charter. The Coun-
Gil wanted it fixed at 81 D. but the Mayor
vetoed everything but the dollar levy, and
1t finally prevailed.
The Good Government Association does
not hold open meetings, and little of its
inner workings are made known to the
public. 1t is supposed to be paying the
salary OF Expert Kaufman. who, with the
sanction of the Mayor, keeps account of
every fund in the city government. The
campaign OF the association consists or
compiling and issuing facts connected
with the city government, so that voters
may know just what is being done.
w. Il. Bullock, solicitor of the associa-
ton, says that on the list of signers are
hundreds OF names representing at least
one-halt OF the wealth of the city. mo
man, he said, "Who does not pay at least
$lO0 in taxes has been asked to sign the
petition, because 1t may cost something to
win this fight, and only those who can
eford to stand the expense have been
asked to stand in and help make the
fight"
leader OF the movement, and man
who is one of the six most wealthy men
OF Oakland, said this afternoan: 1.-The pur-
pose for which we are working is not, as
tie cry goes up, to avoid paying our just
toy hu% a ie n v0iH
providing levy that will produce an IN
come large enough to allow politicians to
carry out lot of expensive and foolish
schemes for f-glorihcation. Every body
knows that these are hard times, and that
it is not a period when there is q necessity
Tor large tax levy.
1.-The municipal affairs are conducted on
basis altogether too primitive. The
Council meetings are never held during
business hours, but are held ct all hours
up TO midnight, and when man of prop
erty wants TO see Councilman he never
knows where to find him. They have
no Office and no Office hours, and the man
ner in which things are done is suggestive
OF q little village. There are far too N any
offices in the citv government and
far too many conflicts. There are
some men in the city and county gov
ernments who are preventing people
from coming here and investing their
money. Our association has been charged
with hurting the town and with attempt
ing to coerce officials. The thing is foolish
on its face. We have our fortunes in
vested and we are far more anxious for the
permanent progress and prosperity OF the
town than the calamity howlers who have
nothing to lose, but who hope to gain
something.
What is really needed is modern
charter. Five Councilmen who shall be
paid enough to make it worth their while
to attend to business, is sufficient to look
after this city. They should hold their
meetings during business hours, like the
Supervisors of San Francisco, who meet in
the afternoon. The purpose OF the Good
Government Association is to adjust these
matters, but at present our main effort IS
in regard to the tax leVy."