The San Francisco call., 1896-02-13
BERKELEY BOND ELECTION
$4,000 Needed for Putting Up
School Buildings and a
Wharf.
WHY THEY ARE WANTED.
Aid for Teachers-The Boy Who Tried
to Beat His Way-Football
Advisory Committee.

BERKELEY, CAL, Feb. 12.-An election
will be held in Berkeley next Saturday.
the 18th inst, for the purpose of deciding
whether the town shall be bonded for
5000, to be expended for the erection of
four new school buildings and suitable
wharf at West Berkeley.
A circular, setting forth the principles
involved in the erection of these improve
ments was. issued to. day by the Good Gov
ernment Club, through tbs committee,
consisting of James L. Barker, John H.
Foy and II. d. Irwin. Concerning the
schools the circular says:
The increase in the number of school chill
dren, as shown by the census during the past
five years, has been from 1862 to $500.
The accommodations to-day are totally de-
provisions are made, will require double the
present capacity within the next five years.
The High School has had a phenomenal
growth, the enrolment increasing in five
years from ~ to over 800.
In this department there are only four
rooms, with capacity of 1877 to accommodate
rolled-a sad commentary on the inadequate
town.
Five years ago Berkeley was confronted with
similar condition. She met the emergency
by issuing bonds to provide the needed build
Ings. The beneficial effect of such action has
DctH demonstrated Dy the Town S rdp1Q grOWtQ
since that date, even during period of ab-
normal business de preston.
Looking at the question as a business propo-
sltlon, we can reasonably expect that the is
suanee of bonds will attract to Berkeley very
desirable class OF citizens and that at least an
average of $50 families will be induced to
locate with us yearly for the next five years.
This alone will surely increase our taxable
valuation to cover the interest and pay off the
principal on the bond issue.
The average assessed value of a lot in Berke-
lev having frontage of Tifty feet will ~
ceed $500, and the yearly tax on the same for
these proposed bonds will not exceed 80 cents
per lot.
In relation to the wharf the following
was said:
l. There are no public facilities at present
where dockage and wharfage at reasona BILE
and uniform rates can be secured. The wharf
which is in existence now is controlled by
corporation which establishes dockage and
wharfage rates in accordance with its own
ideas and to further its own business ends.
2. right-of-way eighty feet in width to ship
channel is promised tree of charge at this time.
the case could be kept in court for years, and
finally, II successful, would cost large amount
of money.
3. The building of this wharf by the town
would guarantee to every one seeking Ioca-
tions fos manufacturing or other industries
reasonable and uniform rates of dockage and
wharfage. We have many men in our midst
able and willing to work, but unable to secure
it. Capital is very cautious and we should do
all in our power to remove objections to its
investment in our town.
4. With the establishing of manufacturing
and other industrial enterprises comes increase
in the taxable wealth of the town.
3. Sta .istics compiled show that during the
month OF September, 1895, 5000 tons of freight
passed over the private wharf now in ex-
istence, with its meager and unsatisfactory
facilities. With the building of the proposed
wharf better freight. ferry system would in
all probability soon be inaugurated and the
above amount would be largely increased.
6. large proportion of the merchandise
consumed in Berkeley is now hauled by team
from Oakland, distance of five miles In
the matter of the handling of coal alone, from
Berkeley wharf instead of Oakland, q saving
of at least so cents per ton would be effected
z. The voting of bonds for the wharf would
add TO the taxes as follows:
For sinking fund each year, one-fortleth OF
For interest first year, S per cent on $4,000 1000