The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-04
LAMENTABLES STATE OF AFFAIRS
San Francisco wood and Iron.

The great State of California presents more
opportunities for the investment of capital and
labor than any other State in the Union. Her
thousands OF acres OF land ere as yet I'M
touched by the pillow, and her cities present
ample fields tor the location of all kinds OF
manufactures. But there seems to be a deter
mina,ion upon the part OF some of her people
located here to hamper every effort made by
men of brains and capital to enhance the
glory of the State. Men OF capital seeking
location for themselves and an opportunity to
invest their money are met by gang of har-
pies who at once set upon them ana In the
language of the world attempt TO bleed them.
Provided growing city is selected as proper
place gang of selfish, cold-blooded city Off
cials are met, who, with a heavy taxroll in
one hand and hampering ordinances in an
otner, set upon the capitalist and seek his
hearts blood.
Weak newspapers jump upon the investor
and demand their quota of the investment,
and If denied, at once denounce the investor
as bloated capitalist whose only aim is TO
rule the people. Our neghboring city OF
Oakland was once offered O large manufacture
ing establishment whose buildings alone cost
nearly 800 OOO but its projectors dare not
locate there for fear of the large crowd OF
small blackmailers who at that time infected
that city. That same factory is now located
III San Francisco and gives employment to
hundreds OF p!oyeS. In San Francisco there
is no one man who has done more Tor the City
and the State than Claus Spreckels. He has
made immense sums of money here and he
has spent thousands and thousands of dollars
here. His name has stood for years as one
among ten thousand He has made money
honestly and he has expended it SO as to
benefit not only himself, but the City and
State that he has chosen as his home. This
man is beloved by those who know him best,
and the hundreds OF men whom he employs
have every reason 10 call him blessed. Yet
tn is man, this successful merchant and manu-
facturer, this public benefactor, is set upon
and openly denounced by newspaper of this
City, paper that has done more harm to
California and her people than any other
dozen instruments
1t is a shame that such state OF affairs
should exist Personally we do not know
Claus Spreckels, but we judge him by his
works, and we feel that the day will come
when the righteous indignation OF an out
ragged people will find the proper expression,
and those who by tlackmail and other de-
vices seek to throw obstacles in the path of
progress of our City and our State will be
wiped out of existence, despsed of men ana
abhored by all. If California would prosper,
if her broad acres should be made to bear
fruit and grain, if her cities and smaller
towns should be made hives OF industry where
honest labor should thrive and prosper, the
present state of affairs m ust be changed Every
inducement should be held out TO cause both
capital and labor to locate here, and instead
OF abuse and robbery helping hand should
be extended and the path OF the newcomer
be made pleasant.