The San Francisco call., 1907-02-23
LEGISLATORS WILL VIEW
BERKELEY CAPITOL SITE
Lawmakers to Be Shown the
Tract Offered for
State Buildings
STRONG ARGUMENTS
Publicity Committee Issues
Statement Giving Reasons
for Proposed Change

BERKELEY, Feb. Arrangements
are complete for the reception Of the
visiting members OF the Legislature in
Berkeley tomorrow afternoon. The
Sacramento lawmakers are to arrive
here at . o'clock. There viii be auto
mobiles in waiting to convey the guests
10 the site proposed for the new capitol,
north OF Berkeley. The grounds Of
fered by the Chamber of Commerce,
including forty acres of gently slop-
ing land will be Inspected by the
party. The American flag, surmount-
ing q gigantic pole. viii wave on the
new capitol site.
Berkeley men are praying for clear
day. so that the beauties of the situa-
zion and the splendid view of the bay
and surrounding country may not be
Obscured by fog. cloud or rain.
Upon the return from the automobile
excursion a banquet will be served to
the 500 guests that are expected to
compose the party. An elaborate din
ner viii be provided, no detail being
overlooked that could serve to impress
the visitors with the thoroughness of
Berkeley's plans for their entertain
ment. and also Of the city's plans to
secure the State capital. There will
be speeches by representatives from
various parts OF the State.
The suggestion that a cash bonus
win be asked for from Berkeley in adj
dition To the offer Of forty acres of
land valued at s240.OOO has aroused
local men Of wealth and offers OF
money are being made TO create fund
Of large proportions. Fred Reed, a
realty operator, agrees TO subscribe
$500. and d. \. Mclaughlin wires from
Sacramento that he will contribute
$1,000. Others have spoken in similar
fashion. and the prospect is that a
large fund could be easily raised If a
cs4 should be issued for the money. 6
The following has been issued by
Duncan McDufie, secretary of the
Berkeley capital publicity committee
The State Capitol was built nearly fifty years
ego. at time when the Industries and inter-
esis IS vel as the population Of the State cen
tered at sacramento rs original cost was
century IL has served the State well. but at
the present time IT is not only practically a
ruin hut IS neither adapted TO nor large enough
for the business OF the State. Two years ago
the Legislature appropriated S355,0O0 for its
repair. very small proportion Of this amount
Has already been spent. but II is apparent that
i VIII be necessary TO spend at least a half
million more before the building be put in
proper order. After this expenditure has been
made II VIII be only patchwork. too small for
tne purpose, reQroach TO the State and a
structure that would OF necessity have to be
entirely replaced within ten years
The amount Of money to be used in Aepairing
building at BeTkeiey When the Capitol du'la. Wss
first built the population OF the State was
$50 600: today It IS about 500 600 Ii would
seem reasonable 10 suppose that the State might
well afford 10 make an additional investment in
building that would properly represent its
The necessity Of the maintenance Of large
number of State commissions and Offices includ-
sion Horticultural Commission. Attorney
Generals Office and the ike. in San
Iess eI me coianonW cal cannot be well con-
Quoted sin Sacramento With two capitals one
in Sacramento ana one 10 San Francisco, an
endless sm0unt Of money and time is spent BY
the officials Of the State in travelling between
the two cities. In addition TO this It is neees-
sary Tor every business man aud every attorney
who has business TO transact with the Governor.
the Secretary Of State. the Superintendent Of
Educstion Board Of Examiners to 90 10 Sac
ramento 10 transact his business As more than
haf OF the State business Is done with individ-
usls attorneys and corporations about san Fran
cisco Bay. this entails very great loss of time
The very fact that the Legislature sdtoy1rns
every Friday afternoon meeting late Monday
morning. and during this adjournment # fits
away 20 San Francisco, is proof that the legls-
istors themselves recognize the bay as the cen
Ter Of business and population
Al Sacramento there is maintained the finest
library west Of Chicago. and Of the finest
law Libraries IN all the world This magnificent
collection OF books IS at the command Of less
We're il located in Berkeley it would be at the
command OF 90 per cent Of the population OF
70 the students Of the States great institution
~ learning, but 10 high schools OF all of the
cities about the bay. and TO the hundreds Of at
tOrneys who would be within its reach.
The site at Berkeley would make IL possible
for half the population Of the State of Cali
fornia TO reach the Capitol in thirty minutes
time for fare Of from TO 20 cents. 1t would
make Il possible for all the various departments
Of business Of the State to be conducted under
one roof 1t would save the large expenditure
Of time and money now necessitsted by the dis
tance Of Sacramento from the center of the
States business and the States population. 1t
20 Der cent Of the population than II now IS
8nd would make II possible TO caTy on the
States business as any private individual or
corporation would carry on its business
On the score OF economy and convenience
therefore. every argument seems TO be IN favor
of carrying on the business OF the State where
tie States business is actually carried on.