The San Francisco call., 1897-10-15
The Formation of a City
Hall Park Association
Strongly Urged.
]. B. REINSTEIN'S SUGGESTION.
Public-Spirited Citizens Should
Unite for the Welfare
of the City.

J. B. Reinstein, one of the regents of the
State University. whose name is synony-
nous for the progress of the city and
State, is one of the most ardent supporters
of the movement in behalf of the City Hall
park. Mr.. Reinstein has travelled extern
sively and has long since learned that pub
lie improvements are the most profitable
investment the public can make.
1T is estimated that the adornment of
the city of Paris brings in revenue from
visitors of 100000, coo year" said Mr..
Reinsteln in 6n interview yesterday after
noon.
This at per cent would be the interest
on $1,000 100000. Let those who invari-
ably fight any proposed public improve
ment in this city on the score that it
would increase taxes remember that and
then say a beautiful city is not a benefit.
San Francisco should be made the
Paris OF America. lis people do not con-
stder its natural location. To be sure, we
boast of our climate and the products o
our State-our zig pumpkins, our choice
wines and our sublime scenery, and we
are content; but we do not remember that
every one of these is he gilt of nature,
and that We nave done absolutely nothing
on our own part 20 attract visitors TO our
State and city.
San Francisco is the western gateway
to the continent. Itis the natural metrop-
oils and will always remain 30, Tor we
have the natural facilities for great city.
But we need more. We are in the direct
path of the around-the-world tourists.
/ They must come here and we must make
our city so attractive that they Will re-
main for time, at least. instead OF hurry
! ing on by the first train or steamer.
zone of the first nOlnts visits
/ is he City Hall, and what does he find
a magnificent structure. which has cost
| millions buried behind a row of rookerIes.
| The visitor may eEcircle the great struc-
/ ture. and at no point can he form an idea
| of Its whole magnificence. He must take
] it in sections and then patch it together
| in his mind to comprehend its beauty.
How different it would be were the
/ space between City Hall avenue and Mar
ket street cleared of its unsight!y build
! lngs and TIE ground laid out in a beautiful
| park. Then visitors would appreciate our
! splendid public building.
LAS for the cost; if bonds were issued
/ for the purchase price of the property the
| taxpayers would hardly notice the in
creased rate, while the benefit they would
! derive indirectly would Offset it tenfold.
The work must be carried on, and it
can only be done by the organization of a
mum ber of our philosophical citizens for
! the purpose. The organization need not
! be large-s ay twenty men, who Will work
uAtirmgly for he welfare OF the city, will
! be enough at present at any rate, and the
number can be increased as the movemen
grows in favor.
al should say to select three or four OF
the best-known, progressive men of the
city and let them undertake the organi-
Zation OF this association for the purpose
of securing park for the City Hall. Sch
an association can bring influences to
/ bear upon the property-owners that will
prevent any attempt 20 mulct the city,
and it can also exert great influence with
the Supervisors in spuTring them on TO
the necessary action.
Let such an association be formed al
once and it will be but short time before
our City Hall will be fronted by a fine
park"