The San Francisco call., 1904-04-04

to make the advantages of Oakland
known throughout the world. the fol-
lowing facts may be of interest: During
the month of February two years ago
the membership in the Oakland Board
OF Trade was but 135. which meant a
revenue of but s135 per month. barely
sufficient to pay the running expenses,
the rent Of rooms and salary of secre-
tary. The publication of literature of
sufficiently high standing to attract
more than passing notice was omitted.
The result was that but two letters of
interest were received by the secretary
Of the Board cf Trade during the entire
month.
In February of the present year the
membership was more than 800. and had
been at that figure for several months,
allowing the publication and dissemina-
ton of lcrge quantities of literature.
The results were plainly discernable.
PROOFS OF RESULTS.
In February Of 1904 from five or six
to thirty or more letters a day were re-
ceived in which the writer's not only
asked for literature, but anywhere from
one 10 half a hundred questions con-
corning Oakland or Alameda County.
Each of these letters was answered in
detail and literature was forwarded, en-
failing a large amount or work and
correspondence.
The distribution Of literature among
residents Of less favored sections of the
country has been productive of good re-
suits. The hundreds of new buildings
being erected in Oakland are monu-
ments 10 the efficacy Of advertising. All
the new residences are not building for
present residents of the city, nor are
all the new stores and offices occupied
by long time residents of Oakland.
During the last year nine hundred and
fifty-seven residences and fats have
been built in Oakland alone-that is,
within the city limits. Very many Of
these homes have been built by people
who previous to coming to Oakland
were residents OF Eastern cities and
who in seeking a better climate had
written for and received literature of
this city as sent out by the Board of
Trade
The work of the board is not confined
to securing new comers and man1fac-
tories for Alameda County. Ever since
the inception and Incorporation Of the
board its efforts have been devoted to
the development of Oakland harbor.
With fifteen miles of water front and
an absolutely perfectly sheltered ha-
bcr, it is but natural that the Board
Of Trade should aim to provide a chan
mel sufficiently deep to allow the en-
trance Of vessels of any and all
draught
The harbor and water front commit
tee, consisting Of James p. Taylor, Ed
son F. Adams, NJ. ]. Keller, E. c. Ses
sions and Hugh Hogan, has been in
defatigable in its efforts to secure the
deepening of the channel The MEM
bers have had the hearty cooperation
OF Senator Perkins and Congressman
Metcalf with the result that a year
ago Congress made an appropriation of
$3.50, 600 for the deepening OF the har-
bor This amount, however is wholly
inadequate for the purpose and not
commensurate with the commerce of
Oakland.
To attain even this small appropria-
ton the harbor and water front COM
mittee has worked hard and devoted
many hours to the citizens of Oak
PROVIDES EXCURSIONS.
Some two years ago the An Day
for "A Dollar" excursions eacn Monday
and Friday from San Francisco were
and upward of 5000 peo-
pie have by means Of these excursions
been induced TO visit Oakland. Berke-
lev, Piedmont, Haywards and inter-
vening cities and towns. Scores of per-
sons who first visited the east side of
the bay as excursionists have located
there in business or as residents.
The committee on railroads has
worked assiduously to secure the entry
into Oakland of competing lines of
railroad. Some five years ago the di-
rectors of the Board of Trade ap-
pointed the committee on railroads
as a committee to confer with similar
to be appointed by the
City Council. Improvement clubs and