The San Francisco call., 1896-03-05
wnMERDlNG

seven fifty-vara lots, is bounded by Van
of the lots abut on the seawall front now
being extended. Adjoining the sheltered
cove is the charming military reservation
of Black Point The location is not only
picturesque and accessible but advantages
of deep water are presented. A substan-
tial brick building four stories high, ex-
tending for whole block, two auxiliary
brick buildings and offices are on the prem
ises. The buildings are amply equipped
with engine, boilers and all the appliances
of steam power.
1t is contemplated that the necessary
money to acquire the land and buildings
will be raised by the active generosity OF a
few leading citizens of San Francisco. A
capable business man of experience
has been charged with the responsibility
of carrying forward the project TO sue
cessful issue. He has made such progress
in his work recently that all doubt as to
ultimate success in the enterprise has
vanished.
Regents of the university to whom the
advantages of the site have been presented
acknowledge that the offer is one that
must prove acceptable to the board. Some
regents who expressed themselves in favor
OF the oakland sites at the last meeting of
the board, now frankly avow their prefer
ence for the Van Ness avenue site.
A large portion of the means neces-
sary for the acquisition of the property
has already been secured and the remain
der will be raised in due time. In fact,
canvassing for support of the school is
now in active progress. Among all classes
sentiment is found to exist which
earnestly favors the location OF the school
in San Francisco Many believe that Mr..
Wilmerding, who acquired his fortune in
this City, had no other thought in mind
regarding this bequest than that the
school should be established in San Fran
cisco. His mind vas so engrossed with
the main principle of the enterprise, and
he had such aversion to details during the
last year OF his life, that he did not desig-
nate where he desired the school to be To-
Gated. Many who were close to him and
know of his generous intentions infer that
he expected the institution to be estab-
lished in San Francisco.
The expenditure OF money on the Pio-
neer Woolen Mills site, independent OF
the cost of the site, has amounted to $780,
900. The land is fairly worth $500
now, and is sure to attain much greater
value when existing schemes of improve
ment in that quarter of the town are COM
pleted. 1t is now offered for this purpose
at small percentage OF its value.
Cars OF the Hyde street line or the
California-street system take passengers
| within two blocks of the premises. The
UniOn-street line is not more than four
blocks distant from the site, and the Polk
street extension of the Sutter-street sys-
tenn will run directly to the property.
Leading men who have the project in
view direct attention of the regents to
the location south of Market street of the
existing mechanical schools and indicate
that the vast population north of Market
street would supply many pupils for 8
trades school located on Van Ness avenue
near the bay.
Had Mr.. Wilmerding made the endow-
ment for an agricultural college, no oppo-
sition to its location in Alameda County
would be raised, but a mechanical school
designed to afford boys an opportunity to
learn a trade, ought to be establish ed
where the pupils can avail themselves oi
its advantages.