The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-29
THE VOTE OF THE MERCHANTS.

Y T the banquet OF the Merchants Association on
u Monday evening President Dohrmann read
L the results OF a postal card vote taken 10 OBJ
tain the views OF members OF the association on the
various questions TO be submitted 10 the people IN
the special elections 20 be held month. ballot
OF that kind Is worth study for 1t significant OF the
sentiment that prevails among the progressive ele-
-nent 81 the taxpayers OF the city-men who not
only DESTROYS OF municipal Improvements but who
have banded themselves together in effort
70 accomplish them.
As announced the votes the various PROPOSE
tions showed an overwhelming sentiment in favor OF
the improvements generally For the sewer system
the votes were SO in the affirmative and in the
negative. Tor constructing new schoolhouses. s67
ayes and II noes: for a new County Hospital, 81
ayes and noes. Tor a new park panhandle, 3S3 ayes
and los noes
il will be noted that the only proposition to which
there is amy considerable objection that OF the park
improvements Even that issue the vote in favor OF
the measure was tyohirds OF the whole but it will
require two thirds carry 1t there is clearly
dangerously strong opposition to that feature OF the
programme OF Improvement The lesson OF the vote
should not be lost upon the advocates OF progress.
The other measures involved in the bond elections
appear 10 be safe and the chief efforts OF the
pagn OF education be directed 10 instruct
ing the public concerning the true merits OF the park
extension movement and to arouse popular senti-
ment in favor OF il so make the two-thirds
vote required 10 carry it.
II is not easy 10 comprehend upon what grounds
objections are made TO the park Improvements The
experience OF every part OF the civilized world has
attesied the value OF parks. grand bouevards and
pleasure grounds 10 cities They afford places for
heathful recreation and thus tend to check the crav
ing for Intoxicating stimulants among the people,
they add the sanitary advantages OF the community
and go far to diminish disease they improve the ar
tsiic tastes OF all classes and give rise demand
for more beautiful homes they attract visitors and
pleasure seekers from abroad and render the city
more pleasing place OF residence to families OF
wealth and culture.
Each and all OF these benefits flowing from the es-
Enlistment OF parks and boulevards affect the in
dustria activities OF the community and have
economic results OF no slight importance In that
way they than repay the cost which their main
tenance entails That fact has long since been dis
covered by the cities Of Europe and OF our Eastern
States. and a consequence there is no department
OF municipal work TO which more attention is given
than TO that OF the parks and the gardens
The proposed Improvements will give to San Fran
cisco fine series OF parks and drveways as is pos
sessed by any American city The panhandle extern
sion will open a boulevard connecting Golden Gate
Park with the downtown districts OF the city. and the
other Improvements proposed will open similar
avenues OF approach to the park from the Mission
and from the Preside. To accomplish that should
park improvements as we'll as the schoolhouses the
sewers and the hospitals The vote for the one should
be as strong as that for the Others