The San Francisco call., 1897-09-06
HOW NOT TO DO
A PROPER THING
Prominent Men Turn Au-
thors and Publish a
Volume of Wisdom.
But a Document on Record
Shows That They Are
Simply Wasting Time.
Oakland Will Grow When Preaching
Is Followed Up With
Practicing.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALI
QlS Broad maN Snnt (


easier and more common to preach than
10 practice, that is shown in a recent
number OF The Two Million Club"
which contains many articles from lead
ing Oaklanders. W. Y. Witcher, presi-
dent of the Merchants Exchange, ex~
plains how Oakland could have popula-
ton of $50, 600 in 1902 He tells the truth,
and in fact more than the truth. for his
suggestions if carried out would cause an
increase of population far in excess of the
stated number were they to Ds carried
out. President Witcher says: Take
steps to have the San Joaquin Valley Rail-
road built into Oakland al once; ii Oak
land will treat well the roads already
bui t; build a wagon road into Contra
Costa County; extend electric roads to
San Pablo; com plete the boulevard around
LAKE Merritt AMI make other beautiful
drives; develop the OIL fields in the vicln-
ity of Oakland; advertise her opportnni-
ties"
James P. Taylor, president of the Board
of Trade, believes that 0 lkland's future
depends in great measure on the Mica
ragua canal, which would, when built, fill
the harbor with ships. He also advocates
developing the oil wells, and adds: AN
other thing IN all these movements is that
alive and push the to success where now
lhe merchant not only moves first but
bears the burden OF expense, while the
landowner almost wholly escapes, yet de-
riving as a rule the lions share OF any in
crease i'll values which may accrue.
John A. Br!tton, general manager OF the
gas company, sums up his article III sir
gle sentence when he says: "Get rid in
some way of our pessimtstic attaches to
our territory, and OBTAIN from the San
Francisco merchant resident here the
same interest In LEGAL matters that be de-
votes 10 other affairs"
Secretary Craigie Sharp of the Board of
Trade, who helped 10 build up Chic CO.
among other suggestions says: I'VE must
develop the oil fields that are lying all
about US in great abundance. EAp pefts
claim that the best oil in the Sta e is to
pe found in Contra Costa County, and that
the supply is abundant. Napa and Ala
media counties also have fine oil prospects.
Why not develop themP Bridge the bay
to San Francisco from the mole, SO it will
take but ten minutes from Oak and to
San Francisco"
L. A. Heron, capitalist and street.
railroad investor, believes that streets
good streets-are the most essential ele-
ment of the growth of a city, and In his
article he uses these words:
"If we want large influx OF people of
means who come here to make permanent
homes, ou: thoroughfares ought 10 be put
into the attractive condition they once
presented and which those of our sister
towns now show. If movement were
started to redress the principal thorough.
fares simultaneously it would probably
awaken public spirit 10 such degree as
to be successful"
Other prominent people have added the
benefit of their the ries to the Oh a podrida
and 1t all sounds very well. 1t all goes to
show that nature has already done her
share aud that man is still hesitaiing
about following the good example. With
such wise advice the simple question NAV
be sincerely asked, "WLy is it not carried
outP'
The answer is not far to seek. 1t is
found in protest against street im-
provement recently tiled at the City Hall
On it are the names of millionaires and
bank presidents, who protest against an
Improvement that is guaranteed not to
cost over 20 cents per foot Of frontage or
$40 to 50.foot lot.
OF what use to talk about developing
oil-welIs to pra:e about boulevards; to
pass resolutions commencing good roads;
10 build visionary plans OF bridges across
the bay or to mention the water front,
when presidents of banks go on record as
protesting against $40 street improve
mentf
Well may Los Angeles poke fun at Oak
land under such conditions.
A movement is alrealy on foot 10 get
Congressman HIlborn to introduce a
measure into the next session of Congress
that will make it i'm possible for murderers
10 toy with the Federal courts.
The following by Hill OF Durrant's ex-
ample has brought the matter very close
to the people OF this county, and they are
anxious 10 have the statute altered. Law
yers are almost unit in desiring a
change, although they are OF one mind In
commencing the actions of attorneys who
take advantage OF the last straw in favor
of a client condemned to death. In Hills
case there is very general desire to see
him reprieved. but, as Mr.. Jeter remarked.
the desire is almost wholly based on sem
tlment. His lawyers are rather handi-
capped with their client, for after arrest
he talked very freely, and after his convic-
ton he frankly said he was quite willing to
die, and did not even desire an appeal.
He is now hanging to the thread that Mr..
Hilborn will be asked to sever.
Dan Mccarthy, t. San Leandro editor,
is telling good story on verv intimate
friend of his living at Mount Eden, who
had made up his mind to go to Klondike.
His friends tried TO dissuade him. They
pointed out the dangers, the hardships,
the intense cold of winter that would
freeze boiling water into ice. mosquitoes
with bills foot long, flies that were as
bad as yellow jackets, winter nights that
are twenty-four hours long, summer days
so long one could get no sleep, but all
these pictured terrors did not disturb
him. A friend showed him a single line
in letter from a resident of the gold
fields which read as follows: "Beer is so
y xxIo
This settled the would be gold hunter
and he at once gave up his contemplated
trip. STUART w. BOOTH.
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