The San Francisco call., 1909-03-07
LANDSCAPE ARTIST
COMMFNOS WORK
Oakland Referred To as One OF
COuntry's Progressive
Cities

OAKLAND. March 6.-Charles Null
ford Robinson. the distinguished land
scape artist, with national fame as a
designer OF civic adornment. has placed
Oakland as one OF three cities in the
United States as examples Of recent
notable work in municipal improve
ment. Robinson has written, on his
way east. after a visit to southern Cali
fornia. TO Mayor Mott highly eulogis-
tic note Of praise The letter was the
result OF the artists hearing OF some
of the attacks (which the municipal
campaign had developed against Mayor
Mott and his associates. The tribute TO
Oakland was no less strong than that
given 10 Mayor Mott. In part Robin
son said:
OPPOSITION Is ABSURD
Hotel ST. Francis. San Francisco,
March ;, 1909.
Hon Frank X Mott. Mayor. Oakland, Cal.
Dear Sir-Coning from Santa Barbara, where
I have just completed q report on the city s
improvement. am spending today in San Fran.
cisco OF my way east. With & great deal OF
surprise / ind that you are criticised in some
quarters for the work you have done in estab-
fishing parks In Oakland, and in adding 70 the
campaign candidates attacked for sn sorts
Of things. but this work re a cause for attack
is certainly something unique. To NE il IS
almost funny. but as il has more serious
saspect want, as an outside observer, 20 bear
witness 10 Its sbsurdity.
Last Saturday I was the guest OF honor at the
luncheon Of the City club IN Los Angeles, and
sbsing asked 20 ten about the work that other
cities are doing IN the way Of municipal improve-
rment, I selected three cities. one from the
east. one from the middle west and from
The far west OF The hest rrOrrRcqiYe-
ness.
oakland was one Of the three cities selected.
70 be held up a model 70 Los Angeles. and
! must give the 800 men who had gathered TO
hear the paper the credit OF receiving with a
good round Of applause the nne story Of what
oakland has been doing under your administra-
fion. You did not know that I going TO
tel the story and you would not have heard Of
81 now II this remarkable campaign attack had
not come 70 my attention 1 don't like 70
think OF the sarcastic smiles in Los Angeles IL
the people there ever learn that You are not
supported in your progressiveness. But I can't
believe they ever viii hear such a thing.
KNOWN FOR PR0GREssIVENEss
However. the point Of the matter is this:
You have been making 8 name for yourself aud
3 name FOR Oakland. and II should be some
comfort 10 You and OF interest to Oakland citi-
zens TO know that outside Of the smoke OF
political battle" IN the broad field OF munich
spsl enoeavor and progress You are one OF the
States who have become widely known for
progress made duFing their administration.
Periodicals 50 removed from the municipal and
political arcna as the Architectural Record and
sChsrities and the Commons. both OF New York
rcity. are among those IN which personally have
flately seen articles the notab bic municipal
movement improvement advance Or Oakland.
You are giving a good reputation TO Oakland
,smOnR eastern investors and home seekers such
iHs Il has not had before That Is the most effect
hTe sort or prOmot1on work.
I an taking. Of coures, only the outsider :
point OF view. That was the testimony which
] felt ] ought 70 give. Tue vslue Of parks TO
the community Itself. 2 vslue that will grow
with every ypar- the pleasure they will bring
70 all -Ee citizens. and especially 10 those who
can not afford large gardens and play spaces
~ their own. and Iheir effect on property values
- that they destined not only 10 pay FOR
themselves promptly bv the iperease Of assess
able Vaiucs. hUt olickly 20 result IN a yearly
increasing profit - the community-al that
j. douttiess appreciated in Oakland itself II
is part. TOO u general municipal history. evil
dpnced as fae eyparicnee Of all cities Parks
are now considered an essential feature Of urba q
snHip-1cnt. snd no loyal citizen shonid think Of
raking anriling but pride IN their development.
To seem g. fisannrnre 0f park progress would
he s hsckwsrd step tlist would hurt Oakland far
more than ii could hurt you. You have your
record 10 point to; the shame would be the
cifvs.
But nothing II that sort viii happen.
don't believe that the Oakland people who
noied SO unanimously for parks two wears age
the kind 10 turn tail. They will not only
Support you. but VIII support the proposed park
commission amendment to the charter.