The San Francisco call., 1898-01-19
ThevDecide tOCall a Mass Meeting of Property
 Holders.
How the Appeal Was Made to Dr. Clinton to Take Charge
 of the Job.
SUPERVISORS TO GO SLOW.
Interviews Indicating That They Win Not Dare to Fly in tho Face
 of Public Opinion.

Supervisor Clinton Is strongly sup ported in his resolute resistance to the Mission Park and Zoo scheme. Late Monday evening, after having return ed from the exciting scenes in the board, of which he was the central fig ure, a delegation of leading citizens and large property holders of the district called at his residence to approve the course he Is pursuing, and to offer ev- cry assistance in their power to defeat what he publicly and boldly denounced as in effect a job fathered by an off, cial ring.
 Yesterday the commendation of Dr. Clinton's actions took the form of a primary organization which is to bring about mass meeting at an early day for the purpose of protesting against the apparently reckless determination of a majority of the Supervisors. The citizens at the head of the movement are heavy taxpayers, whose public spir- 1t and local interests are beyond ques- tion They do not regard with disfa- vor the proposal as to a Mission Park and Geological Garden, but deem the 100 acres now owned by the city and not more than 1000 yards distant from the so-Called gum tree tract ample for the purpose after the more urgent ne- cesSitieS of the district have been pro- Vided for. What they object to and will fight to the end is described by them as a palpable plot to dump on the taxpayers a tract of land worth not to exceed One-third the amount of money asked for it, when a few crafty schem- CTS are to be the immediate benefci- aries and when the sum required to satisfy their greed might be appropri- ated to purposes especially gratifyine to the Mission district and useful tC. the whole municipality.
 Speaking to this point yesterday Dr. Clinton said:
 Tn the property holders point of view ] should be as much interested in this proposition as the next man. for I have $75, GOO invested in the Mis- sion district. But as l informed the Supervisors meeting, I am big enough hope, to rise above my personal in terests and affirm that the proposal is a job I will fight to a finish. Most of the larger modern cities I have visited and studied. and I am satisfied that least of all of them does San Francisco need expensive parks, or airing places Why, we are here like the sailors on an immense ship, with a superabund- ance Of fresh air blowing over us to and fro. San Francisco may be termed justly a great wholesome park during all seasons of the year. How ever, don't wish to be understood as opposing Mission park, but why should the city buy for that purpose
 
 one-third the price asked, when it has thousand yards away a hundred-acre tract suitable and ample for a park and zoo?
 Other necessities are more press ing" continued the doctor Every one knows how sorely we are in need of public hospital. Our ramshackle imitation of one is a disgrace Almost every day in the year some afflicted applicant for the shelter and care humane government should give is turned away for want of accommoda- tions. Those who secure admission are not decently provided for. We need peSthOuse. How much has been said and written on this subject with out awakening the conscience of those who should act.
 ''Is it true that you were approached by one of your colleagues in the mat ter of the Mission park and zoo?" was asked.
 T was misquoted in that particu- lar" replied the doctor. "It was a per son outside the board who Is interested in the sale of the property. He wrote to me saying that as Supervisor of the district l was the logical leader of the movement; that if I would take that leadership upon myself I would gain the appreciation of the people; that l would be rewarded with political honors and emoluments and that doubtless the proposed park would be named in honor of me- Because I re- fused to be cajoled or coerced into do- ing something did not deem to be right-that is what I remember hav- ing said-my character was aspersed.
 What hurt those fellows" added the Supervisor, was my remarks about these violated pledges, with which the people are familiar. They don't like to be reminded that in the Spring Val ley Company and Market Street Com pany assessments they deliberately presented the corporations with half a million of dollars which should have gone into the city treasury to relieve the taXDayerS."
 SUPERVISOR MORTON-I voted +o have the tract surveyed. There was notil- ing wrong in that as far as 1t went If will give the people an opportunity to as- certain what outside property Is worth and what the owners of this tract want for it. But this action on my part does not bind me by any means to vote for its purchase I never will consent to buv this piece of land for park and zoo i'm. til am thoroughly satisfied that a major fty of the people of San Francisco want 1t for that purpose. 1 could not be in- duced to vote away the public money for park when there is greater necessity and other institutions which we as Super visors are bound to provide But if 1t should be demonstrated to my mind be- yond any guess work that the people who will have to pay for this additional pleas ure-ground really want it. why, then shall most assuredly vote for its pur- chase.
 SUPERVISOR LACKMANN-My opin- ion is unchanged on this par/proposition l have stated to The Call heretofore that ] was opposed to paying more than twice the value of this or any other property that any man or body of men might try tc palm over on the city with a hurrah boom behind it. If the people must have 8 park and zoo in the mission district al the expense of the taxpayers of the en- tire city. it is no more than right and proper that these taxpayers should so sig nifty their wish in the matter When they do this, or a majority of them, then will John Lackmann vote to bring court pro- ceedings to have the tract condemned but not before. Tn any case. nothing could be done before next November. Accord ing to law the money must be in the