The San Francisco call., 1908-03-09
NO REALIGNMENT,
SAY SUPERVISORS
County Board Is Not in Favor
of Creating Districts for
Berkeley and Alameda
Chairman Mitchell Seeks TO Hold
His Seat, and Does Not
Favor Petitions

OARS4EAD, March $40 new super
xisoral 6anaricts will be formed by the
board ~ supervisors az the behest OF
Berkeley. which desires a district of its
own. as evidenced by petition Of nn-
rnerots groups OF citizens of the col
lege town. Alameda, which also de-
sires an Independent district. VIII not
he favored To create the new districts
would mean virtually a reslignment
throughout the county. The super
visors at least the controlling major
ity. have decided against such step.
To re6istrict the fourth and fifth dis
fricts now represented, respectively.
hv Rowe and Mitchell. in order that
Berkeley should have a supervisor OF
SIS own would throw out of line the
present boundaries in such a way as
10 entangle existing political combina
tions Further TO give Alameda dis
trict by itself would cut OF a part Of
Kelleys bailiwick and also OF Bridge 5
territory. This. the supervisors find,
would compIicate tlge situation by fore
ing a new lining Up Of Horners dis
trict in order 10 force Teao1ustmenL
The plans therefore hsve been virtually
Sci aside on q new boundary arrange
ment and existing lines wib be main
tanned.
Political considerations or q greater
magnitude than those which have
prompted Berkeley and Alameda 10 seek
Iealignment enter into the decision not
40 change the boundaries. Mitcheli
wants another termi on the board. but
does not feel entirely safe. He Is a
straightaway machine representative,
although he was taken up severGl years
ago 10y interests which We're not alto
gcther friendly 10 the present CONTROL
fnE forces ia county politics. But
Mitchell found his way into the COM
bination and his vote has ever since
been with the machine Anything that
was wanted went with him.
considerable part Of Mitchells dis
trict is under organization control.
-Four years ago he would have failed Of
reelection but for the votes which
were handed 10 him by the organiza-
tion in the northern portion of the fifth
district. touching Emeryville and West
Berkeley.
FEARS OPPOSITION
Mitchell would like to hold on. though
lie feels shaky. He knows that a
strong opposition has developed against
him-thst his only chance of winning
IS to hold organization votes. Even
with such Of these as might be held ne
viii find a battle on MS hands, both ir
the convention 10 get a nomination and
at the polls in case he should squeeze
through. Therefore Mitchell has come
10 the conclusion that present bounda-
ries should not be disturbed. especially
as the territory which would be left &c
him is heavily against him in many
spots.
Rowe. whose territory would also be
affected by readjustment, is not In the
same position. He is only a tentative
candidate for reelection. Rowe has
told his friends that If the people OF
his district want him to go back hs
would stand for reelection, but ne
would be willing to give Berkeley ar
independent district, even though his
lines were cut into considerably.
Kelley. Horner and Bridge are said
10 be satisfied with the situation The,
have expressed no desire for chang'
Of lines. Unless extraordinary argu-
ments are made the formal decision Of
the board will be against new boundar,
lines. Thst-is the attitude at present.