The San Francisco call., 1898-10-20

James D. Phelan, Democratic candidate TOT Mayor, Is making a plea to the labor Ing classes for their votes, and through the columns of one of his subsidized pa pers he lays claim to their favor on the ground that it is he to whom credit Is due for inducing the Board of Regents of the university of California to select San Francisco as the place for the Wilmerding Scnool. Also that to him is due the credit 'of raising the money for the purchase of tne site on which to erect the school. While The Call does not wish to detract one bit of credit due to MT. Phelan for what he has done in the matter still there are others who deserve as much credit in this respect as the Democratic candidate. MT. Phelan's paper mouth piece says:
 School, which Is to be the great nursery and school of intelligent and self-respecting labor salary as the citys chief executive for this purpose. It will be remembered that the Board ing of the school in the city or .in the interior and much pressure had been brought to have It in the interior. The regents promised it to san francisco If the site were donated. Mayor Phelan appointed committee to raise s16 900 for this purpose, heading it himself with $3oOO.
 The records of the Board of Regents show that the case was entirely differ ent, and that instead of Mir Phelan us- eS- tablished in this city he was pulling for all he was worth to have that institu- ton of learning built in San Jose, where he owns thousands of acres of land, left him by his millionaire father, which would increase in value if the college was built thereon. In other words, while pretending to favor this city, he was working for San Jose He played both ends against the middle, and lost Now h fc f,-xrf, @< olr1 of his defeat. The facts are these: The most of the credit of having the school located here Is due to the Merchants As sociation, and to its president, F. w. Dohrmann. It was the latter who began the agitation, which was taken up by the body. AS soon as the regents took cog nizance of the bequest half a dozen cities made strong effort to have their particu- lar localities favored. San Jose was among the first to enter the race, as shown by the following letter, inspired by MT. Phelan:
 SAN JOSE, Aug. 31. 1895.
 Dr. J. H. c. Bonte, Secretary Board of Re- gents, University of California-Dear Sir: In a communication to local Board of Trade James D. Phean has very generously offered valuable piece zee, of property & in this city as "a Boys. The San Jose Board of Trade has ap- pointed committee, of which am mem site and to present such other claims we now have for their consideration. Acting on lnis suggestion or l. deiIInaii oI oan Fran cisco write to inquire at what time and place the Regents will be pleased to give this com mittee a hearing. Your early reply will be very much appreciated Very truly yours.
 PAUL P. AUSTIN, Chairman
 A day was set by the regents, when the representatives of the cities wishing to se- cure the school appeared to tell of the special advantages of their several locali- ties. They came from Los Angeles, San Diego, Stockton, Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco. The San Jose delegation was headed by MT. Austin. who acted as the mouthpiece for MT. Phelan, and he