New-York tribune., 1900-11-25
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
EFFECTS OF THE GREAT STORM
MUCH BENEFIT FROM THE RAIN
FALL-DOEs JAPANESE CUR
RENT TEMPER CLIMATE?
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

San Francisco. Nov. 24.-The great storm
which swept California for two days this
week was the severest known for years, and
the damage to railroads, bridges, country roads
and orchards is large. but this damage is
counterbalanced by the immense benefit of the
heavy rainfall Especially in the southern coun-
ties the rainfall. which ranged from three to six
inches, has been godsend. In many places
three dry years have followed one another with
the result that the great Sweetwater and Bear
valley dams have been without water this sum-
mer, and the smaller water systems have been
powerless to save many fine orange groves from
destruction through drouth. Now this heavy
rain, with an equally heavy snowfall in the
mountains, has assured plenty Of water for the
irrigation of the orchards. and 1t has also s.
sured wheat and other crops for the dry lands
OF the San Joaquin Valley and lower coast coun-
ties. Altogether the rainstorm is worth several
millions of dollars to the State, and ii has al
ready helped the real estate market and general
business which promises to be unusually good
for the new year. Los Angeles County felt the
greatest force of the storm. and the city of
angels cut off from all telegraphic and rail-
road communication for nearly twenty-four
hours. The damage heavy in and around the
city. but the greatest loss fell upon Anaheim,
Santa Ana and Monrovia In many cases orange
groves were washed out, and valuable bearing
trees uprooted by the fierce rush of water.
Director McAdie of the Weather Bureau. who
has made especial study of the climatic condi-
tions this coast. says fatty that his observa-
tions have convinced him that the Japanese
Current does not greatly modify the climate of
this State. He says there has been much non
sense written about the effect the rains of
its distance from the coast. He is engaged on
a monograph which will show that neither the
Japanese Current nor the Gulf Stream greatly
modihes the climate of the United States. AS
he is close student and keen observer. his
work promises to create discussion.
At the California State miners convention this
week one OF the principal topics OF discussion
was the great development of oil lands, espe-
cially in the southern counties. Some remark
able figures were presented, showing the growth
OF the oil business in the State Fully $34 100000
Is invested in lands. machinery and outfit for
pumping oil this year. The entire capital in
vested in oil properties in California is $116
100000. and there are two thousand incorporat-
cd oil companies. The greatest benefit OF the oil
development in California will be the impetus
it will give to manufacturing 1t will make
possible the successful manufacture of hundreds
of articles which the high cost of fuel has pre-
cluded heretofore Eastern oil men have at last
secured control of the lands around Bolinas. on
the Marin County shore. opposite San Francisco,
and they will develop the field, which is said TO
be rich in high grade petroleum.
At the Grand Opera House this week Maurice
Grau's company drew packed houses for La
Boheme" and The Huguenots,'' and for the
two Wagner operas given. The sale for four
performances Of The NIbelungen Ring next
week has been large TO assure crowded
houses and the other nights or the hnal week
will have great houses. The net result OF the
three weeks season of opera will therefore be
a cOnsderab bic profit, though IT is admitted that
Grau made mistake in bringing too many peo-
pie for so short q season. IL has been demon
strated, however, that big opera company
can be brought out here and will gain suthclent
patronage to pay the heavy expenses. even
though il does not contain a first rate soprano
or contralto new to California. Frank Daniels
has done a good second weeks business with
The Ameer" at the Columbia Theatre. and ne
will be succeeded there next Monday night by
Alice Nielsen in The Singing Girl" AS Miss
Nielsen is a San Francisco girl and made her
first hit here she is assured of big houses The
TiVol Theatre began a comic opera season thlS
week with The jolly MuSketeer.
The Chinese Exclusion act was interpreted
very strictly this week, when 1t finally de-
cided by the COmmissoner-Gene OF Immigra-
ton. r. V. Powderly, that the Chinese servant
of the wife of Lieutenant Kerwn now serving
in the Philippines, could not be landed here, al
though her mistress willing to sign bond
Mia after a few months. Mrs. Kerwin is
daughter Of Colonel Girard. who is in charge of
the military hospital at the Preside. and. though
great influence was brought to grant the Army
officers wife this courtesy. the Department re-
fused to show any faVors. This ruling will now
establish a precedent in such cases.
The real estate market Is livelier than for
many months. The principal sale of the week
vas the property of the Fergus OLeary estate
on the southwest side of Market-st, above City
Hall-ave.. to Matthew Nunan Tor S6oOOo The
lot has % foot frontage on Market-st.. and ex
tends back 300 feet to Park-ave., which there
is a. frontage of 30 feet.