The San Francisco call., 1899-12-04
THE PARK PANHANDLE.

y EFORE the growing popular sentiment in favor
\ OF progress and improvement every vestige OF
- objection to the proposed extension OF the park
system ought to die down into the deadness OF mere
silurianlsm and have part in the active lie
OF the city than the old objections made years ago to
the purpose OF establishing Golden Gate Park itself
ne Panhandle Is in truth natural development OF
the park necessary adjunct it, connecting 1t with
the great avenues OF the city and OF the improve
ments most requisite to the work OF municipal
progress
The cost OF the extension will be small when
compared with the benefits derived from it that it
ought not to weigh with any citizen who understands
the difference between economy and parsimony. 1t
is moreover to be borne in mind that have just
closed one year OF prosperity and now upon the
eve OF another which has every promise OF being
more prosperous than the last In the very nature OF
things real estate will soon take another upward
movement and shall never again have oppor-
unity to purchase the lands required for the various
features Of the proposed extensions upon anything
like such easy If therefore San Francisco is
ever to have the Mission Park the Panhandle and the
boulevard connecting the Park with the Preside,
this is the time to act
That large majority OF the property owners tax
payers and workngmen OF the city in favor Of the
improvements is beyond question. The only danger
lies IN the tact that to carry the measure II will have
to receive two-thrds vote, and many progressive
citizens being sanguine OF the outcome of the cleo
ton may stay away, while the objectors will be sure
TO go 10 the polls TO enjoy another opportunity of in
dulging their pet deght-that OF kicking at every
project OF municipal improvement
To obtain the money for the improvements bonds
are to be issued bearing per interest Every
dollar OF the amount will be expended in the city, and
OF course will set to work earning profits interest
for those into whose hands passes In private hands
It WILL OF course, than the municipality has
to pay for 1t, that while the city will be paying
Ia per cent interest, the money having gone into
circulation will be earning in business and adding to
per up, and the interest charges will therefore
be in no loss
AS for the benefits sure to result from providing
such grand approaches to the Park from the Of
the city at the intersection OF Market street and Van
Ness avenue, from the Mission and from the Presidio
they are apparent that argument concerning them
is hardly necessary No community in America or in
Europe has regretted money expended for park
purposes. The very men who objected to such pur
chases have in the end been proud OF the parks after
they were opened and adorned All the progressive
cities OF the Union-New York Boston, Philadelphia
Chicago, St Louis and others-have been wisely lavish
in providing parks and bouevard and in no instance
has there been complaint OF having too many parks
San Francisco must keep up with other cities She
stands the representative American metropolis on
the Pacific and will not do to lag behind those on
the Atlantic