The San Francisco call., 1908-04-20
GOOD GOVERNMENT
STARTLES BOSSES
LincoIn=ROoseveIt Movement Is
expected to Spread to
Other Sections

REDWOOD CITY. April 1s.-The
shrewd and watchful old line poll
ticians Of San Mateo county. who have
controlled the policies and votes of the
citizens and their representatives for
os-er a decade. are regarding the re-
cent auspicious victory of the Good
Government league in this city as a
matter Of startling import and as an
important factor to be reckoned with,
not only in the future politics Of the
city but Of the county as well. They
are expecting the spread Of the organt
zation similar to the one that won the
recent municipal victory here through
out the county and especially in San
Mateo, where it is possible that some
action in this line viii be taken within
z week.
san Mateo has been for many years
under the control OF the machine poll
ticians. but the new element which has
come into the county within the last
fe% years has weakened the grip OF
the old guard and their bosses to 8
great extent Not the least startling
occurrence by any means at the re-
cent Redwood City election was the
commuters TO turn out and vote
straight tickets for reform; a matter
which they have been notoriously de-
1lnquent in, failing to exercise their
right OF the ballot for years running
All forecasts as to the development of
good government organizations in the
larger cities Of the county seem to point
10 the ultimate formation of Lincoln
Roosevelt league. which viii be wholly
unlike the present county machine of
the republicans. which is under the
dominance and led wholly by the guild
ing lines Of the large corporations, and
especially Of the Southern Pacific In
Redwood City the Good Government
league was the outgrowth OF a dis
pute between the citizens residing in
Roosevelt avenue and the city council
over the question Of street work.
Conrad Boptz. president of the league
and one OF the founders of the move
Haent which loosened the grip which
the 4s saloons OF this city have held on
the county seat for many years, gave
the following statement today:
The league was formed in November,
1907. after the people residing on
Roosevelt avenue had become thor
epghly disgusted with the treatment
that we had received from the city
council We did not even receive the
attention that ordinary courtesy de-
mRnds from the trustees and we totally
disapproved OF the actions of the city
council in running the town deeply in
debt by mourning bills when the treas
ury was empty. We aim for the best
Development OF the town and expect to
gain il, making whatever reforms are
necessary as soon as they can be ac-
complished."
At the city council meeting on Mon
day night the three new trustees, Carl
Beeger. Professor George A Merrill and
Robert Brown. viii be Installed 1t is
rumored on good authority that Mer-
rill is slated fer the position of mayor
and the slate viii go through without
z hitch. The leading officials of the
Good Government league, which Will
have decided influence IN the future
political affairs OF the city and county.
are as follows: Conrad Bentz. presi-
dent; F. l. Baird. vice president; W.
II. helsO, secretary treasurer; B. G.
Byrd; B. L. Werder. Charles T. Cook.
Antonio Genochio and A. NJ. Robertson.
executive committee.