The San Francisco call., 1904-07-14
ALAMEDA WON'T TRAIN.

IT. HE people of Alameda have made representative
expression against consolidation with Oakland.
They exhibit much feeling in the matter and
alarm 1t concluded by the meeting that safety
should be sought in the adoption of freehoders char
ter. The Call has desire to advocate oppose the
proposition to unite the population the side
of the bay in government but the plan before
public and there is for doubt that it will be in
issue until definite settlement is made
Such settlement only be secured by going ahead
to fnaly. The Aamedans fear a change in the
utes of the State which will compel them to submit
be gobbed, as they call the proposed process. They
of the opinion that they make charter,
be ratified by the Legislature making permanent their
individual government Thereafter consolidation
would find charter in the way which could be amended
by consolidation. but the people would vote the
amendment But after such charter is adopted
the argument for consolidation and its economies will
be strengthened. A charter will increase the
OF the individual government it has in Oakland and
will in Berkeley that city adopt the expedi-
If the thin populations were consolidated they
would make the second municipality in the State We
do not say that there is anything in size, but it
claimed that common government for them all will be
better government and more economical
1t is easily foreseen that the discussion of the issues
is destined much heat and friction between the
people of the side. There is bad blood now,
and will get better until of settlement is
reached 1t will into district ahd State and county
politics. and will turmoil and confusion.
It that little wisdom and good feeling will
all of this and bring the that will be ac-
cepted final
Instead of the people of Berkeley and Alameda rush
ing into charter campaign, why get together
with Oakland and agree constitute representative
commission from each town. empowered get together
and what kind of general charter be framed
for common government of them ALL each retaining
its present and place on the political map of the
State, after the borough plan which put New York and
Brooklyn under government, leaving them still
known New York and Brooklyn?
1t is better to defer fight over the matter until
compromise like that has been tried Such common
charter would have go to the Legislature 1t is pos
sble, too. that it would require an amendment to the
State constitution that the inality in either event
would be imminent, and the people would have time
for ample consideration of the whole GOODNESS
and not IN heat of temper The underlying facts OF
taxation and expense could all be developed and COM
pared with what be fairly predicted of the new gov
ernment, and a result many might change their
minds. Perhaps those who favor consolidation
would get light leading them to abandon it. On the
other hand those now opposition might led by facts
and comparisons to go to the other side.
The legal phase of the subject is very interesting in
deed The whole interested in questions il
will raise. There other towns that will want to
economze satisfy their ambitions by consolidating
At present is utred field proposed on the east
side The city and county consolidation of San Fran
cisco was different matter entirely 1t dealt with
duality of government the population The
merger easy No heartburnings about going off
the map were caused by it. No pride of municipal in
divdualty had be wounded The only issue was the
substitution by the population of government
for two.
1t is already obvious that the side cannot be sim
arly consolidated individuality be respected.and
how can this be done except by borrowing from the e
perence of New York and adopting the borough system?