The San Francisco call., 1897-08-15
Dame Nature Has Done Her
Part, Now Let the People
Do Theirs.
RESOLUTIONS FOR SEEEDY ACTION.
Many Prominent People Strongly
Advocate the Purchase of
the Tract.

Under the auspices of the Fairmount
Improvement Club a rousing open-air
mass-meeting was held last evening al
Johnson's Hall at 235 Chenery street. II
was q representative gathering, and the
purpose of the assem- bly, was TO give voice
TO the demand for q geological garden in
what is known as the "Gum. tree Grove,
Just east OF Sunnyside A platform had
been raised on the outside of the house,
which served for the speakers and the
band. This was decorated with Japanese
lanterns and the American flag. Near by
q huge bonfire threw thousands OF sparks
into the air.
John L. Mclaughlin, the president OF
the club, opened the meeting by stating
at the Mission is sadly in need of a
breathing-s pot for the inha abitants and
particu ~ the younger element. He
called attention to the fact that all the
large cities Of the world have their recrea-
tion parks, and so has San Francisco for
that matter, but what the people of the
Mission desire is q place near by, where
they will not lose half day in travel, as
they do now whenever they go to Golden
Gate Park.
The principal speaker of the evening
was Z, A. Lewis, who said that all fair
minded people are in favor of the project
of purchasing large tract for park Of
the description under consideration. A
little park, such as the one on Eighteenth b
street, would be of no use whatever. Fol
one he is in favor of the Gum-tr Grove
tract, with its fine climate, its diversified
topography and its accessi bility to all
parts of the City. The total assessment
roll of this City is $340, 600 O0O
The cost of buying this tract, which
consists of about I40 acres would be only
about 10 cents on each 500 OF assessable
property, and the cost OF maintaining it
would be less than l per cent per $780,
The suggestion to postpone the purchase,
he said, OF this park until bonds can be
raised is not made in good faith. The
people Of the Western Addition will op-
pose the purchase, and will try to defeat
the bond issue in order 10 keep the travel
in their direction, and keep up the price
of their property. The Mission must lock
out for Itself and do all that can be done
to com pei the Mayor and Supervisors 10
get the land before it is TOO late.
Mr.. Lewis bitterly opposed the proposed
pure hase of the Gem etery block, and
stated that only those favored itwno have
property in that locality. In his rem ark
he said: "The gum-tree tract is the
place. We want crowds TO visit the Mis-
sion. A zoo there will bring the poop lie
here. Many live near the grove, and an
walk there. The streetcars pass it. Th ose
who want TO drive there can do so, and
after passing through can drive on to the
Golden Gate Park and to the Balboa road
without having to go three miles out OF
their way. 1t is the natural outlet and
driveway from the Mission to Golden
IVY xuh hat ind -
trade the Supervisors make with the own
ers, but we want them TO purchase it al
once, and the cheaper the better"
Thomas Crouch, the yice.pres!dent, and
J. P. Tuohey, the secretary of the club
also made saort speeches. in which they
dTelt upon the desirability of the Gum
tree Grove as park and geological garden
One particular feature was that there are
now about 100, 900 trees of various kinds
planted on the grounds, which of it.
self will be a saving to the City III that
direction. Another item OF no small con-
sideration is that the entire land is filled
with natural springs and running water.
This item will alone save the City at least
$4,000 per annum.
At the conclusion OF the meeting the fol-
lowing resolutions, offered by Mr.. Nc.
Laughlin, were unanimously passed:
ResoLued, That we protast against the pur
chase OF the TWO blocks OF land lying between
Eighteenth, Twentieth, Church end Dolores
streets, which are recommended by certain In.
terested parties upon the pretense that they
viii satisfy the needs of the Mission for q
park that we further protest against the pur-
ch ase OF this property for the reason that the
price is exorbitant, and this TACT Is or should
be, well known to those persons who are ad-
vocat ting the requirement of them by the
City.
Resolued, That we favor the purchase of q
large tract of land and the esta Dlishing OF a
geological garden upon 1t for the reason that
the cost OF buying large park will be only
about 10 cents upon each 500 of assessa BILE
property within this City and County and the
cost of main tanning it Will be less than 1 cent
per 800 on the total assessment roll, and q
large park and zoo Will bring more people tc
the Mission and afford more enjoyment 70 a
larger number than mere square; and be ii
further
ReSoted, That the tract between Thirtieth
street aud Sunny Side, known as the Gum
tree Tract" is well ada pied for the purpose oi
park and geological garden, and 1t is there
fore the sense of this meeting that the Board
of Supervisors should purchase it at fan
price and pay for it out of the taxes for the
present fiscal year, and that as soon ii is
purchased immediate steps should be taken
10 improve it.