The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-03-20
A REVIEW OF
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
By President Joseph Steffens Of the
Chamber Of Commerce.
His Annual Address-Other Important Matters
Considered by That Body.

eral undertakings already contemplated
by the city, it was deemed advisable TO
submit the same to public meeting Tor
discussion, therefore such meeting was
called for May 9th. The Pioneers Asso-
citation having kindly rendered the use
of their commodious hall for the pro-
posed meeting the same was accepted
with thanks to that body.
FAIR OAKS RAILROAD.
1t was also at the April meeting that
General c. II. Howard of Chicago and
General ]. F. Thompson and brother OF
Iowa first appeared before this chamber
in the matter of the construction of the
Sacramento. Fair Oaks and Orangevale
Electric Railroad On their presentation
of this important undertaking the 1oI-
lowing committee was appointed TO act
with the promoters, viz: L. b. Han,
William Schaw, l.. L. Lewis, George Is.
Katzenstein and your Chairman. ABOUT
the same time there was considered ana
referred to the Committee on Laws ana
Legislation an address by 7. w.
Brotherton of Los Angeles on Assess
ing and Collection of Taxes" On the
Board of Directors ordered 5000 copies
for general circulation in this county
Closely associated with the foregoing
proposition regarding taxation was
report received from the Merchants
Association of Los Angeles detailing
the fact that a committee of twenty
five had accomplished the abolition OF
merchandising licenses on the showing
made to the City Council that it was
double taxation. This is one Of the
measures, like a stamp tax in war
times, which the city clings to and
which calls for careful consideration
and an equitable adjustment.
It was last April that this body
prompted it's committee on manufac-
lures to urge the City Trustees to pre-
fer or favor local manufacturers all
possible in the letting of contracts for
public work.
NEW UNDERTAKINGS.
The called public meeting for May
9th, which was held at Pioneer Hall,
was we'll attended, and the following
propositions were discussed and resolu-
lions favoring same We're adopted, viz:
water for city use is desirable. That a
proposition to expend $1,000 for the
purpose Of Investigating and provid-
ing plans for such supply be submitted
to the people at a supecial election. A
resolution was adopted favoring better
wharf facilities. 1t was also in May
that this chamber held a special meet
ing to consider the matter of macad-
amizing a roadway from Sacramento to
Folsom and after discussion the Mayor
was requested to call a public meeting
to consider the undertaking A COM
mittee was also appointed to welcome
an excursion from San Francisco to
Folsom, it being made up of capitalists
and public men who We're en- route to
inspect the Sacramento Electric Gas
and Railway plant and the properties
connected Herewith. 1t was during
May that the franchise was secured for
the Sacramento, Fair Oaks and Orange
vale Electric Railway, also the Orange
vale Colonization Company rendered to
this chamber the use of its Office furni-
ture which was accepted with a vote of
thanks. In June your Board of Direc-
tors petitioned the City Trustees to
hasten the work of macadamizing the
streets, and also suggested that the
alleys of the city be named, and i'm
proved as fast as practicable. The
Committee on Mines and Mining re-
ported much interest and activity in
this line of development. In the mid
die of July the Committee on Manufac-
lures reported that electric power was
being installed in the Southern Pacific
Railroad shops in this city and also a
large number of factories and other
poWer-using enterprises. 1t was at this
time that Geo. E. Katzenstefn resigned
the SecretaryShip and j. O. Coleman
was elected to fill the vacancy. i few
days later a special meeting OF your
Board of Directors was called to elect
several new members and to consider
the matter of placing by subscription
the proposed bonds of the Sacramento.
Fair Oaks and Orangevale Electric
Railway Company. Early in August
renewed efforts were made to secure
faster passenger service between this.
the State Capital, and San Francisco,
and at that time the committee re-
ceived much encouragement About
the same time the Committee on Exhi-
birion made systematic effort to secure
collection Of minerals, particularly
milling ores; also many of the products
of Sacramento County, for the purpose
Of making a general exhibit at the
State Fair and thereafter to be used for
a permanent display at the State Cap
itol and in the room of this chamber.
In this good and desirabl work the
committee was materially aided by the
courtesy and liberality of Wells, Fargo
* Co.'S Express.
At this time a special committee was
appointed to investigate the repair and
cost OF the new Twelfth-street bridge
across the American River. The re-
port of that committee did not show
facts on which to base the irregulari-
ties charged against the work by
common street report"
During the last of August an impor-
tant conference was had with Claus
Spreckels, Esq, and others on the mat
ter of the sugar beet industry. P w
Howe Of jacksonville, a leading oper-
ator fer Mr.. Spreckels, visited
this locality. inspected various
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