The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-15
Popular INTEREST AROUSED.

Tor many years students OF American politics
have been agreed that much OF the evil of NUM-
cpal administration and the comparative lack OF
progress in the way OF improvement have been due
neglect OF local affairs by business men and tax
payers generally. That San Francisco has suffered
from that defect of citizenship in the past is not to
be disputed, but fortunately the outlook at present
gives promise of better things The earnestness with
which citizens of all classes have entered upon the
work of the campaign for the proposed bond issues
shows that popular interest in these important local
measures has been aroused, and there now sound
reasons for the sangune hope that at each election
the necessary two-hrds will be cast on the side
OF progress and improvement
The objections urged against the plan OF park ex-
tension have been fairly and thoroughly refuted
1t has been made clear to the taxpayers that the
amount OF money required for the Improvements will
be small in comparison with the benefits sure to be
derived from the completed work; that the entire
sum raised for the extension will be expended for
home labor and home material and will therefore re-
turn at to the channels of local trade that the
additional park to be provided will serve the
poor even than the rich and benefit pedestrians
as much those who have command Of horses and
carriages and that the of grading to be done
will not injure the surrounding property nor entail
an unreasonable expenditure of money
Since the campaign Of education on the subject be-
gan there has been shown continuously gratifying
evidence of popular support in every district of the
city. The various improvement clubs organized for
local work have cordially combined for cooperation
in promoting the new movement that is to benefit
the whole city, and along with them has come TO the
aid OF the movement all that great body OF progress
sve citizens who have noted the good work of the
improvement clubs in the past and are willing TO
sustain them in the enterprises of the future
There will never come to San Francisco an opnor
tunity more favorable to Improvement than that
which now enjoy. 1t is fairly certain that never
in future years would the city be able to purchase the
land required for the park extension so cheaply as AZ
present and it is therefore matter of wise economv
to make the investment now Moreover, the civ has
had year of prosperity and looks forward TO another
year of greater business activity 1t will be easv
for the taxpayers to bear the taxes required to meet
the interest on the bonds and provide the sinking
fund.- and the burden will be made the lighter nv
OF the fact that the increased work caused by
the improvements will provide wages for laborinp
and help to spread the blessing of prosperity
into the homes OF all
San Francisco is to be ga continuing city" TO use
President Jordans phrase, and will advance steadily
forward in every branch of municipal development.
Such, at any rate is the promise OF the era made
evident by the popular interest now taken in the
pending questions OF public improvement