The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02
THE SUTR0 CELEBRATION.

The formal opening yesterday of the en-
terprises which Adolph Sutro has estab-
lished on the ocean side of our peninsula
was celebration of an event of uncom-
mon Importance. Besides being the throw
ing open of a group of attractions which
have been installed on the beach. it was
the beginning of the operation of an elec-
trio road, constructed by the same pro-
prietor, for reaching them comfortably and
economically. The scheme is thus made
complete, and for its magnitude and value
to the City, and especially for its fitness to
the natural conditions which obtain here,
is the greatest private enterprise of the
kind ever undertaken in America.
Not only that, but it is wise investment
as we'll; for not only may it be reasonably
expected that the investment will yield q
handsome return in itself, but it will pop
ularize, render easily accessible, and doubt
less greatly enhance the value of the vast
unimproved properties which Mr.. Sutro
owns in that vicinity. This presumption
is mentioned merely to show that those
wealthy residents who are content to sit
idle and permit the enterprise and indus
try of less favored citizens to make their
p4OPCA1y tdA0doiC 1AiRub ltshS d pTOuI
hint from the enterprise which Mr.. Sutro
has displayed. If few more of our
millionaires had tithe of his energy.
public spirit and business sense, this City
would quickly become one of the greatest
in the country.
The popularity of his unique investment
is that it is devoted exclusively to means
for affording wholesome pleasure. This
robs it of an appearance OF sordidness.
Other wealthy citizens have made great
and expensive improvements which are
exceedingly valuable and wholly indis-
pensable, because they are utilitarian; but
Mr.. Sutro's achievement is so distinctive
and picturesque, and so perfectly compile
ments the natural charms of the City, that
it has character with which no every day
business investment can be compared
His improvements include the rebuild
ing of the famous Cliff House with struc-
ture of elegant design and great dimen-
sions; the most extensive and costly baths
in the world having no rival in history
except the gorgeous baths of ancient
Rome; in connection with the baths a
nucleus of what promises to be one of the
most interesting museums in the country !;
an electric road more handsomely equipped
than any other. In addition should be
mentioned Sutro Heights, which, though
comparatively old, are part of the group
of fine attractions which Mr.. Sutro has
created. All these properties and i'm
provements have value running far into
the millions.
Mr.. Sutro's public spirit has not stopped
there. He has announced that he will at
once deed the heights to the City. This
garden viii be splendid gift. as likely he
could sell it for more than million
dollars. He will follow this with gift to
the public of his library. the value of
which is incalculabie. He has already
presented the State with large site for
the Affiliated Colleges of the State Uni
versity, will furnish another site for the
library and has offered a site for the Will
merding School.
1t should not be forgotten that it was
Mr.. Sutro alone who forced the Southern
Pacific people to reduce fares to the beach
from ten cents to FIVE. To what extent
this has contributed to the happiness and
savings of the people may be imagined.
1t is pleasure to recognize and applaud
public spirit manifested or so splendid a
scale. This is just what San Francisco
needs from other of its miilionaires. The
fame which the City will enjoy from the
enterprise of this one man will extend to
the ends of the earth, bringing its benefits
to all, and by this act alone he has written
mis- name in broad and imperishable char
acters on the history of California.