The San Francisco call., 1904-09-02

nelO at the Masonic Temple tnlS even
ing under the auspices of the Progress
Federation. The principal speakers
were Councilman John L. Howard and
Colonel John F. Irish. Success was pre-
dicted for the carrying of the proposed
measure, but it was also considered
necessary to do a certain amount OF
missionary work to insure it's passage.
The meeting was called to order by
Edwin Stearns, president of the fed
Grafton. Principal P. M. Fisher of the
Polytechnic High School was elected
chairman. After briefly expressing his
views upon this subject, he introduced
Councilman John L. Howard. chair
man of the special committee that
framed the bond issue. Mr.. Howard
gave the first official statement of the
bond proposition as follows:
1t could hardly be expected that the bond
ing. scheme recently prepared py the OnH ~,
Council would perfectly nit the ideas OF all
classes of our citizens; indeed, 1t IS fairy sus-
ceptble of Improvement in some respects Dut,
taking all the circumstances and limitations
that surrounded its authors. it is probably as
good a project as could have been devised, and
with this feeling on the part OF the govern
ment 1t is submitted to your favorable con-
sideration
1t must be remembered that on the subject
of municipal water supply the condition OF
public sentiment was such that, IN us recon- pm
mendation to the Council the committee felt
the need OF putting limit upon us PrI-
pcsals That limit was hxed at 81, 5OO,OOo, wnlch
~ Wouio leave possible S9.oOV'VOo OF nta Donus
available In future to provide for such water
supply and system might commend itseH
to the favorable judgment Of the city govern
ment and the people.
But let us pass to analysis and discus
sion of the projects submitted:
Chidrens playgrounds-Fifth and Chestnut
Oakland. $31. .23O total. $1O3, ,446.
Psrks-De FTsmeTy dd property s s94 46 O'o; Inde
$3.50 goo: west side Lake Merritt, $1s3 200:
Lake Merritt water park, $4s, 400; south OF
Twelfth-street dam. $145. .0O0; total 1865 .sO4
Boulevards-Cemetery Creek. $4,000: east
side Lake Merritt. $116,350 park panhandle,
81, 800; Harrison street, $63. 42O; total $3Ol.-
Afiscellaneous-wh foundations. $4,000;
sewers. $121, 440; concrete culverts. $4s go;
cross walks, s127 coo; polytechnic school, $14s.-
900; public library, SIS coo: city hall and ad
dtiona lands, $650,000 total, 81, ,121, $50. Grand
total, 50, 492, 0O0
1t will be found that 81 .O69, $50, AZ per cent
OF the total will be devoted to beautifying the
81 per cent, Is for the purposes that may be
regarded as more practical and more utiii-
tartan.
CONCERNING PARKS.
The proposals now before you are such as
can be encompassed. and in our examination
of their necessity or advisability let ad-
dress dress ourselves to the projected park systems ms
fense against narrow and thoughtless criti-
csm.
Cities do not part with public park prop
critics and people everywhere would resent at
tempts to deprive them of these facilities for
pleasure. 1 speak not in disparagement of
the smaller and scattered breathing places but
more particularly in favor of the larger areas
for the masses and which crowning
glory to every city that possesses them. What
is there in San Francisco that equals Golden
Gate Park. that affords much pleasure TO
its inhabitants and 30 much attraction TO its
visitors? Does that municipality regret its
investment. that produced such beautiful re-
suit out Of the most unpromsing materials
In other cities artificial lakes are created
with infinite labor and cost. Here in our
midst is a salt water lake provided by nature.
and it needs but the proper acquisition and
Improvement of adjacent land to produce
result that does not anywhere else exist and
that will prove a source of pride and
pleasure to the citizens of Oakland forever.
1t Is this water park with its ample area of
the basis for developing the comprehensive
park scheme that is now presented.
LAKE MERRITT PLANS.
l. 1t is proposed to deepen the shallow
water OF Lake Merritt and make it available
over its entire area. To the material thus
obtained for raising the present grade of the
proposed park south of the Twelfth street dam.
This will be the most easily accessible place
OF deposit and thus most easily accessible place
accomplished at minimum of expense
2 To convert the unsghtly area south of
and use.
g. To finish the East Lakeside boulevard
to the lake head and to continue Ii at greater
width to form panhandle" and thus reach
the southern entrance of the proposed Central
Park. This would have the effect of trans
ferring the park entrance to the head OF Lake
Merritt.
4. To purchase land between Twelfth and
Lake streets and east OF Oak the western
shore of Lake Merritt and TO suitably improve
1t for park purposes.
5. To complete on the boulevard plan that
n Har ricnr gfr rec INf hpfu Txar
tieth and Twenty-fourth streets.
The Council felt that at this time it was
not justified in going further in its recon-
mendations. nevertheless it is firmly con-
WINGED that il these projects adopted and
put before the people the scheme for its COM
pletion by acquiring the remaining two
ton tions , Of lake shore frontage viz Between
and around that portion on the north known
as Adams Point
Passing next to the smaller areas:
In the De Fremery property we have op-
portunity of purchasing tract that stands
wildly natural conditions that prevailed in
Oakland before the march of Improvement re-
moved them. At slight expense this can
be made a most delightful resort for that sec
tion in West Oakland that stands so much in
need of beautifying, and there is the certainty
that II will be best appreciated when it is
opened to public use.
Bushrod Park. gift to the city. stands in
its unimproved condition and needs to front
on what will always be the main thoroughfare
between this city and Berkeley To that end
IL Is advisable to purchase the land inter-
vening between it's eastern entrance and TeIe-
graph avenue and to spend at present a mod
crate amount in its development for the graft
fication OF the residents in that district
Independence Park, likewise a gift has
stood for years monument of official neglect
Occupying elevated and beautiful position
it has remained for years unimprovsd. un-
ornamental and useless for the purposes for
which it was given and intended.
FAIRGROUNDS AND HALL.
The proposals for Fairgrounds are made in
response to the urgent requests of many public
spirited citizens and to the silent but no less
strong appeal OF the children themselves
These Fairgrounds in line with the prac-
tice of the older municipalities and are found
to be both valuable and necessary; at the same
time their creation and maintenance dis
charges in part the obligation due from the
municipality toward the childhood within its
borders.
The necessity for expenditures on sewers.
culverts and crosswalks Is self evident as
T., need neither explanation defense
As to the Polytechnic School. the committee
first made investigation 70 satisfy itself
as to the value and character of the work.
AS compared with results obtained under lin
otb