The San Francisco call., 1899-04-28
THE PANHANDLE.

HE complete diagram in The Call Of Wednes-
day will convey to the people OF this city and to
visitors correct idea OF the artistic picture the
extension Of the panhandle TO Van Ness avenue Will
present when completed The view westward OF
wide boulevard, lined with trees and terminating in
d magnificent park will be one OF the finest in
America, and from the opposite direction the
1aonotony OF dust and smoke and the dull features
OF great city Will be relieved.
It is unlikely that the extended panhandle the
length OF which from Van Ness avenue to the Baker
street entrance to the park is about two and third
miles, will be exclusively used by wealthy whose
afternoon amusement centers in the speed OF their
teams. 1t cill be a resort Or pedestrians and for
family cqupages and for that largest class OF our
population, unable to indulge in expensive uxuries,
to whom breath OF fresh air and glimpse OF the
beautiful. in the midst OF the hard and wearing life
Of concentrated industry operate as tonic and re-
nvigorate both mind and body.
But this splendid improvement will also prove 4
great attraction to strangers and will do much to
further the objects which, some years ago the Halt
Million Club was organized to accomplish The
Champs Elysees in Paris, celebrated throughout the
civilized world, is lined with trees, about
two miles in length No traveller gives an account Of
visit to the French capital without particular refer
ence to this charming boulevard There is however,
object lesson bearing upon our local project that
IS nearer home For many years the Alameda, CON
iecting San Jose with Santa Clara. was a fine illus
tratou OF the sagacity OF the Spanish and Mexican
missionaries. OF unusual width and both lined and
lisected with trees it one OF the delightful
drives and promenades on the continent. To pene
It's deep shade and receive the exquisite impress
sion Of its cool beauty was like the transition from
busting and heated metropolis to the stiffness and the
peace OF primeval forest No visit to California
was complete if this suburban invitation had been
neglected
In evil day and under the plea Of necessity, but
in exaggerated difference to the utitarian spirit,
those trees replaced by succession OF protest
irg and bleeding stumps and now the milk or
the picturesque loveliness which long tranquzed the
mind like pure and enhancing dream.
Great cities are bestowing special attention and
e~pendinE enormous sums upon such Improvements
as the panhandle extension We have already alluded
TO Paris but Berlin Vienna London and other
European capitals well as the newer cities OF our
ow7 Middle and Eastern States. within half a cen
tury have made unexampled progress in the appica-
ton OF the iaw OF contrasts to dense populations
Parks and bouevards cleanse the lungs the heart and
the brains OF a metropolis and promote physical
health, mental soundness and moral deccncy. As
mere investments they bring enormous returns, not
only at home but from abroad
The completion OF the panhandle enterprise will be
the projection OF the glowing splendors OF the
Golden Gate Park into the center OF the peninsula
arc in proportion to the cost will produce larger
profits than Federal bonds or railroad stocks