The San Francisco call., 1909-01-28

hind a direct primary enactment, of
which it is not and can not be part,
since 1t applies to general and not to
primary elections.
REMOVES BAD FAITH CHARGE
The introduction of the Caminetti
bill, which will be presented to the
assembly by Preston of Ukiah, frees
the democrats from the imputation Of
bad faith as regards direct primaries
1t separates the questions of the noml-
nation and election of United States
senators and takes away from those
senators who want to dodge the direct
primary bill the excuse of violation of
the federal constitution. And it brings
both questions sQuarely before the
legislature on their merits. without
permitting one to embarrass the other
Ignorant criticism of the Wright
Stanton bill, which has done quite as
much to imperil its chances In the
assembly as have the underhand meth
DDS of the known enemies of direct
primaries, has strengthened rather than
weakened the chances of the measure
in the upper house. If the fight for
the inclusion of the nomination or
United States senators and state ofncers
can be won in the senate committee
the passage of the Wright-Stanton bill
through the upper house, with COM
paratively few and immaterial amend
ments will be readily enough secured.
If the question Of policy has TO be
taken to the senate itself, the fight
will be prolonged and undoubtedly re-
suit in fight on the floor of the
lower house as well.
If the senate does pass the bill sub
stantially as introduced, and that prob
ability is strongly indicated now, the
responsibility for it's emasculation, with
the 40 per cent proposition which will
mean its defeat. 1t will be passed
squarely up to the individual members
of the lower house. who will be an
swerable to the people at the next
general election.
OakIand's Plans Opposed
CALL HEADQUARTERS, CHAM
BER OF COMMERCE BUILDING, SAC
RAMENTO, Jan. Undetermined oppo-
sition to the constitutional amendment
allowing Oakland and contiguous cities
to withdraw from Alameda county and
form separate city and county gov
ernment developed during a public
hearing on the measure before the sem
ate committee this afternoon.
No action was taken, but it was ap-
parent that unless concessions We're
made in the form of amendments there
was slight possibility of the question
being submitted to the voters.
nc hinged Oh Tic Qu0S-
ton of taxation. the Oakland people as
serting that they would be greatly
benefited by the change, and the opposi-
uon contending that the bay city was
endeavoring to shirk its proper proper
tion of taxes. Many businessmen and
representatives Of the commercial bod
les of Alameda county addressed the
committee.
The amendment that was presented
by Senator Stetson is so drawn that
only Oakland and surrounding cities
will be able to take advantage of 1t. 1t
provides that two or more contiguous
cities, having q population of not less
than $50, 900 and an assessed valuation
of S100,000,000 within an area of 60
square miles, may by vote of the ma
jortty of the qualified electors consoli-
date and form a city and county gov
ernment.
Senator Stetson explained the object
of the bill, saying that Oakland had
been burdened with a heavy tax rate
for years as a result of being joined
with the rest of Alameda county. and
had been forced TO pay among other
heavy expenditures so per cent Of the
cost of constructing 100000 worth Of
highways in the outlying districts. The
principal drain which he objected to,
however, was the maintenance of sepa-
rate county and city offices.
Senators Leavitt of Alameda and
Strowbridge of Fruitvale are opposed to
the amendment and will fight 1t on the
floor. Senator Bates of Alameda has
not taken a decisive stand.
Bills Aimed at Fire Companies
Especial Dispatch 10 The Call
CALL HEADQUARTERS, CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE BUILDING, SACRA-
MENTO, Jan. 27.-Senator Gus Hart
n xrYil1 q a n cro