The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-18

Of the Mission and Potrero Improvement
Club, was largely attended. In calling
the meeting to order Chairman T. B..
Slevin stated that there would b no de-
decision rendered. but that the opponents
OF both sides would simply advance their
arguments for and against the question
He then introduced Frank H Gould, the
first speaker for the affirmative. After
pointing cut the great possibilities Of
San Francisco Mr.. Gould said:
THE plain proposition before US is
whether we propose. for q reasonable
amount. to beautify this city and make 1t
second TO none in the world. Better re-
suits can be obtained by a municipal in
debtedness than by a pay-as-you-go'
policy. Every citizen should vote in favor
OF the bond elections because San Fran
cisco needs proper schoolhouses to edu-
cate its children: II needs sewers to re-
move the stigma resting on the city be-
cause Of its unsanitary condition and to
reduce the death rate. To erect hospital
for the sick is a necessity"
At this point Mr.. Gould was interrupted
by the chairman. who said his time was
up, and then he introduced John H. Mar
bic as the first speaker of the negative
Il am sorry" said Mr. Marble. that
MT Gould did not go to the point OF dis
cussing the question of the park panhan-
Ole, for we are all in favor Of the school
and sewer bonds, and TO vote against
bonds for a hospital would be a crime.
For the same reasons that we are for
these public utilities we are against the
wasteful bonds for useless public orna-
ment, such as the proposed panhandle
would be.
L. w. Dohrmann replied to the argu-
ments of his predecessor and was glad
that no opposition had developed against
the public necessities of schools. sewers
and hospitals. He said:
The argument that paving of streets
is more important than the acquisition
OF the panhandle will be settled when the
Board Of Public Works, to be appoint
ed by the Mayor. will inaugurate a sys-
TEN that Will benefit each district OF the
city. The charge that it would be impossi-
bic 10 suddenly get the necessary NUMBER
OF laborers 10 do the work is not true be-
cause the work Of acquiring the property
Will be gradual and take years, during
WIlch the CITY Will derive -arge income
When Max Pepper began his argument
against the panhandle, Mayor Phelan en-
tered the hall and was given three rousing
Mr.. Pepper said:
Il claim that 1t is unjust to assess the
outside landholder for parks that are so
far away from his holdings II is
prophesied that the panhandle can be
Dullt Tor certain amount, but how do
these prophets know this? The owner
may ask TO submit the sale of his prop
erty TO arbitration and in other ways the
cost may be considerably increased. II is
said that so per cent of the owners are in
favor of the panhandle. but IL is because
they have been literally treated In the
value placed on their property. 1t is pro-
posed TO assess the whole city. and yet
when the Mission road was opened only
the section Immediately interested was
taxed. Is this just or equitable? / am an
advocate Of public necessities, / believe in
in the finest hospital and best school =
houses the city can buy, but / also believe
IN paying the teachers, and l don't believe
that the city that neglects 10 pay its em-
ployes can afford TO indulge in a luxury
Mayor Phelan's argument was devoted
10 the ornamental and healthful results
10 be obtained by the panhandle, and the
increased value in the property acquired.
This is not a local NATTER said he;
every section In the city has a direct in
terest In bringing Golden Gate Park
nearer to the people. By affording
healthful recreation TO them we will keep
lungs OF the city. besides giving us
glimpses of nature. According to Dr.
Jordan the population of the cities is de-
teriorating and health is undermined be-
cause we do not get enough fresh air. II
is well that the municipality should do
something for the pleasure and comfort
OF IT'S Inhabitants, apart from selling gas
ana water at half rates, which will come
In time.
The buying up of the property for pan
handle purposes is good investment. as
evidenced by other cities. Central Park.
New York. cost 5000 900, and is worth
h4-' nAa 400 nAIU- - Hraient OF this kind