The San Francisco call., 1897-03-09
MUST TAKE AC IION
ON THE BRIDGES
Many Important Affairs
That Need Immediate
Attention.
Auditor Shows Speech on City
and County Consolidation
Creates D scussion.
Unity Required 10 Promote Harbor
improvements and Annex.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,l
9OS Broadway March 8.

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,l
90S Broadway, March 8. !
Within few days there will be another
conference between all parties interested
as to the plans to be followed iii bridging
the estuary. The two wooden structures
are both in need OF repair.
The Alice-street bridge is being strength
ened to last until something definite is de-
cided upon, and the epster-street bridge
is too narrow TO permit of safe navigation,
as was proved yesterday afternoon.
The Board Of Trade and Merchants Ex-
change are greatly interested in the
future of the harbor and at this time there
are many i'm portant matters, all relating
to the harbor, that are in various stages
of progress.
There is the appropriation bill at WASH
ington that may or may not be signed be-
fore next Saturday by President McKin-
ley; there is the bridge matter; there Is
the organization of line of river boats
and the locating of the commission at
Adams wbarves; there is the necessity OF
nj more wharfage and the greater necessity
OF establishing a feeling of perfect har-
mony between Oakland and Alameda re-
garding recommendations to Washington
as to how National appropriations shall
be used.
r. In this same connection must be con-
sidered the words of Auditor Snow, de-
llvered at the Exposition building Friday
night, and also the annexation proceed
ings now in progress in the northern part
Of the city. Mr.. Snow said:
When the government of Oakland becomes
competent ana rises 10 digniied position
men will speak well OF it and the subur ban
population will then desire admission to the
ii A
ment must follow for the purpose OF economy
Therefore new City H Ill at this time seems
to me illogical, unless We admit that the de-
sirable conditions mentioned are impossible.
All these matters can only be adjusted
by unity, and upon them depends the
progress of Oakland for the next twenty
years. A study of the situation clearly
shows that M Snow is right, and that the
only economical method of government is
by consolidation. Oakland, Alameda and
Berkeley are so thoroughly bound
together by a network of swift electric
roads that they are practically one large
town. Neither Alameda nor Berkeley has
theater, ana the residents have to come
to Oakland. The improvement OF the
harbor and the completion of the tidal
canal are matters OF equal i'm portance to
both Oakland and Alameda, and if the
northern territory shall decide to annex to
Oak kland, this city and Berkeley would be
joined.
At the present time the cities OF Oak
land, Alameda and Berkeley each maintain
expensive local governments. and besides
bear large share of the expense of the
county government, which is also very
generously conducted, and there has been
an i'm preston for four years that consoii-
dation would be of benefit to everybody.
Hitherto it has been considered too
early to take such step, but now that
Auditor Snow, who has had eight years of
experience, asserts that the consolidation
must follow as matter OF economy, the
subject has been revived.