The San Francisco call., 1904-04-05
OAKLAND'S PROGRESS.

~ UR publication of the growth and work of the
| Oakland Board of Trade discoses matter OF in
~ terest not only TO neighborng city, but to
San Francisco and the whole Oakland has the
finest natural advantages has stood long upon
them alone Such advantages valuable only the
best is made of them 1t is fatal mistake 10 trust
to them and expect them TO work the prosperity OF
city, without any effort the part OF its people.
Time that Oakland much talked about in
the East any city in California This was when it be
the terminus OF the Central Pacific Railway But
there ensued period of lapse, which seemed that
the energies people were entirely fight
ing the very agency that had brought the place
tice The habit OF battle extended other things, and
seemed that Oaklander counted that day lost in
which he had failed make kick something
The late Senator Fair tried for long time to get
rival railroad into Oakland but the people wanted
thing fight and fought him with all the vigor that had
been acquired and trained in fighting the original Octo-
pus" But the coming of the Santa Fe the wide
spread operations of the Realty Syndicate and the I'M
provement of the harbo seem to have wrought change
III the spirit OF the CITY, and the local Board of Trade in
It's strength and policy, the spirit and pur-
pose of Oakland There is less spirit OF conflict
and higher civic purpose that promise to make Oak
land for time to come center of interest and
growth in population and in business
1t friendly observer that the first step to
be taken by the people the ratification OF the very
moderate bond proposition that to be submitted
The bonds for the of public Improvement
OF which Oakland has long felt the need modern city
and up date requires all the business facilities it
improve If happily placed between land and
transportation it needs the development of both,
in the service of IT'S and manufactures. 1t
should be liberal in the OF its streets and
interurban railway system In this respect Oakland is
present fortunate 1t has railway system that
equal the demands of FIVE times the present popua
ton. This OF course that investment in that
line has been made faith in the future of the city
When the people and the railways work together
that faith justified But with the rise OF business faci
ities there go also the development of those
other needs of modern city, parks scenic features,
good and ample and slightly schoolhouses and
public buildings In these respects beginning made
in the proposed bond issue In arranging for expendi
of its results, may not have been possible give
every part of the city much the people may feel
their due. But this should influence against
the bonds
1t is admitted that in Lake Merritt and its surround
ngs Oakland has features of peculiar value We recall
city in the United States Europe that has in its
midst such valuable scenic and sanitary that
placid and beautiful body of salt San Francisco
has the attractive park the world but lacked
body of and had one. artihcially in
Stow Lake. Oakland has that feature ready made and
should improve its shores and surroundings by the sup
preston of every gnoble feature This will fail il the
bonds fail
AS Tor other parts OF the CITY, the people be
that when this spent upon purposes it is in
tended serve the result will be such of popu-
laton and such increase values that will be easy
TO another issue to put into West Oakland the
line of improvements long desired
San Francisco wishes encourage awakened Oak
land We can't go there and vote, but we can
stimulate the spirit OF progress that taking possession
of the people Each of these cities is helped by the
growth of the other. San Francisco business the
of Oakland harbor for its surplus activities which
when they crowded off water front must
go somewhere, and the to the better The
Merchants Association of this city has sufficient in
in Oakland Justify it in going over there to
hold up the hands of the Oakland Board of Trade help
the Boosters boost and aid the whole booming people
boom.
Looked at in the right light, these two neghboring
cities allied in many interests when wrought upon
by spirit of progress and enterprise with their
combined strength business and public affairs can be-
potent agency directing the spirit of the whole
They, in combination public improve
mens direct better and useful legisaton and
tribute the profit of every and the welfare Of
every home in California Therefore, having set her
future let Oakland refuse temptations to
look backward.