The San Francisco call., 1909-04-19
CEREMONY
ON SCHOOL SITE
Celebration Held by 0rganiza-
tiOnS in Mission When Cor
nerStOne Is Laid

Memories OF the past and possible
ties of the future were features of the
enthusiastic speeches made yesterday
afternoon at the laying of the corner
stone of the new building at sixteenth
and Mission streets which will house
the pupils of the Mission grammar
school 1t was one of the most Inn
portant events that has taken place
in the Missions Being the third an
niversary OF the great fire. that fact.
although scarcely commented upon by
the speakers, was probably account
able for the crowds present
The idea OF making the cornerstone
laying conspicuous event was con-
ceived at a meeting of the Mission pro-
motion committee. an Organization
waich fought for the recent bond issue,
in which was Included funds for the
construction OF class A school build
ing in the Mission The committee
which took the matter up consisted of
Oscar Hooks. chairman; Gustave Lack
man. c. H. Brown. H. w. Burmeister
and Edward NJ. Long.
MANY ORGANIZATIONS
PARTICIPATE
Many organizations participated in
the exercises. Members of the board
Of supervisors, the board of education.
Native Sons and Daughters, Mission
federation of improvement clubs and
teachers from public schools through
out the city occupied chairs Of honor
on the speakers platform. Native
Daughters from Fremont, Yosemite,
Golden State, Dolores. Golden Gate and
Los Lomas parlors took prominent
parts in the exercises
James Rolph Jr.. president of the
Mission promotion committee, in his
speech laid stress upon the strength
OF the people of the Mission, as repre-
sented by numerous Improvement
clubs.
Supervisor c. L. Center traced the
history Of the Mission grammar school
and of the site upon which 1t was
built. He told of its existence as an
Indian burial ground and later as the
orchard Of the late John Center. the
pioneer who decided the school prop
erty TO the city.
Speaking of the necessity of indus
trial education in the public schools,
Joseph OConnor, president of the
board of education. declared that more
attention should be paid TO this branch
of popular education. He also stated
that the Spanish Language should be
made part of the course of study
in California schools.
MAYOR MAKES ADDRESS
Mayor Edward Robson Taylor also
addressed the gathering
1T is by education alone that man
has his faculties brought out, said
the mayor Education insures man
freedom from those things which have
oppressed him in the past and makes
him the right sort of citizen. AS we
stand here on the third anniversary OF
that great disaster. we have good res-
son 10 congratulate ourselves on the.
growth of the city; especially ought
we be proud of the school buildings
that are going up. This building is
an index OF what San Francisco has
done in behalf of her children
Mrs. Anna +. Lacey, grand marshal
of the Native Daughters. read a paper
dealing with native daughters in school
work and ia the civic life of the city.
Alfred Roncovieri. superintendent Of
schools. delivered an address.
Others who made brief remarks were
Miss Edith Krause of Dolores parlor,
\. y. c. w. who spoke on Landmarks
in the Mission and Miss Susie Christ,
grand treasurer of the Native Daugh-
ters, who spoke on Patriotism