The San Francisco call., 1899-12-26
PARK IMPROVEMENTS.


n IFFERENCES OF opinion are at all times valu-
able since by bringing about controversies
they compel the advocates OF each side TO con-
slider more carefully every point OF any cause over
which contention gees on. For that reason nothing
has been lost by the appearance OF an active opposi
ton 10 the proposed extension OF the park system.
Il has led the advocates OF progress TO make more
thorough canvass OF the people than they would have
done otherwise and a consequence there IS much
better understanding OF the merits OF the proposed
improvement than would have been attained had not
the opposition compelled the campaign OF education.
The time has now come for closing the cOntro-
The days Tor the special elections are at hand
Tomorrow the voters 10 decide whether San
Francisco is to be equipped with parks equal 10 the
needs OF her people and the civilization OF time,
or not. The arguments OF the objectors have been
listened TO with fairness and have been answered
with courtesy. We believe they have been COM
pletely reiuted. 1t has been shown that the will
entail any heavy increase OF the rate; that
the extensions will serve all classes OF citizens and
all sections OF the city; that the grading will not
require either heavy expenditure or deep cuts which
viii inure adjoining property. In short every OBJ
lection which has been made has been promptly met
and the issue defined by the arguments on both
sides is the simple OF choosing between progress
and stagnaton; between keeping up with the process
sion OF civilization and tagging in the OF Ameri
can cities.
The economy OF purchasing at the OF
ground required for the proposed park improvements
IS not to be overlooked As Mayor Phean said in
his address in closing the campaign on Saturday:
The good and estimable gentlemen OF the opposi-
ton say cannot afford it. You can't get anything
without paying for IT, and the purchase OF the prop
erty will be good investment, viewed solely from
. -.
We paid $4,000 for Golden Gate Park; to-day it is
worth SIIooo,ooo. Forty-six years ago New York
paid SSoOoooo for Central Park: to-day it is worth
100000 San Francisco IS bound TO grow; It
cannot be held back; and what we want to do is TO
acquire and hold land Tor public breathing places
Fairgrounds Tor the population that IS bound TO come
We want TO correct the disadvantages under which
the city has labored and build on true lines
while the city IS young We want the best OF schools
for the children perfect drainage system protect
the health OF the community, want the finest hos
pal service that be had for our sick and injured
but we want beautiful recreation grounds Tor our
people, in order that they may keep out OF the hos
ptals lar possible You can allow a city to be
come dapidated and ugly that It will drive people
away, you make it so beautiful that they will
hate TO leave it."
Il is a familiar proverb "as twig is bent the tree
Is lnCNhed now IN the youth ol San FRANCISCO II IS
for US to bend the municipality in the direction OF
attaining all that makes a city desirable place OF
residence for cultured and women. The gen
Grafton passing away did well in providing
Golden Gate Park but We can see that they erred in
not preserving the park around the City Hall and in
not extending the panhandle to Market street 1t is
for rectiiy that last and to so extend the
park system that will be than double its pres
ent value TO the public. It should be done by a well
nigh unanimous vote and it Is to be hoped the cam
paign OF education has had the effect OF rousing Ill
progressive citizens the importance OF the issue