The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-12
TURNS TO FRISCO
Topeka Tourist Prefers This
City to Los Angeles.
She Is Herself Surprised at the
Preference.
PEOPLE ARE CORDIAL.
PEOPLE ARE CORDIAL.
Spirit of Graci0usneSs Peryades
the Atmosphere.
But After All the Traveller
Turns Longingly to Kansas.

San Francisco, Cal, April s.-Every-
body knows, who knows anything at
all of California, that there is a strong
feeling Of rivalry between the northern
and souther parts Of the state, and far
be it from a stranger who has been
cordially and generously welcomed in
both sections to take sides in the argu-
ment. And so I shall not tell anybody
don't see, except the State Journal
readers, that I prefer San Francisco to
Los Angeles. That is, I believe, con-
trary to the opinion of the average
tourist, for when 1 put on my special
mad scene and raved extravagantly
over Frisco when we were here last
week, everybody, even the loyal San
Franciscans who love their city so
ardently and believe so strongly in her
future in spite of the troublesome
times, sincce the tragic trembler and
fire three year ago, said, "Oh well,
you'll like Los Angeles better. All the
tourists do. It's more typical of the
California they've read about"
And it is true that you must go to
southern California for the anticipated
orange groves and the weather is much
warmer and the air balmier in and
about Los Angeles than in FNsco
where there are heavy fogs and much
rain during the winter and spring.
When it rains in Frisco it reminds a
Kansan of the rainy season at home
the flood season of May and June, say
when in spite of the fact that the
in bloom the air is cold and damp and
winter clothes are comfortable. But
when the clouds lift and the sun comes
out, everything dries off Immediately
and it is bright and warm, yet bracing.
Bracing and breezy, atmospherically
o1v ics 20 Evr2r
city of wonderful natural beauty, pic
turesQue topography, romantic and
tragic history and compelling fascina-
ton. From its score of hills overlook
ing land and sea, veritable throne
of beauty"-it rules this western coast
commercially, and not even the great
est disaster that has befallen an Amer
lean city, the most terrible chapter In
it's varied and stirring history could
more than temporarily subdue its
dauntless spirit. Although everyone
says. 80 you should have seen Frisco
before the fire. no one could regret
seeing it now, for the sight of city in
the building is interesting in itself and
it has rebuilt so rapidly and wonder
fully that only IN certain restricted
areas are the reminders or the quake
in evidence. There are enough of these,
however, to satisfy the tourist craving
for sensation, and to illustrate the
many thrilling tales one hears from
eye witnesses of the tragic happening
on and after April 18th. 1905, and which
give one so much more vivid a reaHza-
ton of the disaster than printed page
could impart.
There is no denying that San Fran
cisco still feels keenly the effects OF the
fire, followed as it was so soon by the
financial panic from which the whole
country suffered, and the city has had
other troubles of it's own. the famous
struggle with municipal graft and cor
rrption and the labor difficulties which
have retarded and opposed and, TO a
less strenuous and determined viii 20
live" would have successfully prevented
the herculean task of rebuilding. In
the face of all these obstacles, however,
San Francisco is rebuilding, mas re-
built and the San Franciscan's note OF
regret in his You should have seen the
civ before the fret" is invariably fol-
lowed by But she'll be greater and
erander San Francisco than ever in a
few years.
The old-tiner has a lingering GRIEF
for the Frisco of happy memory.sne
CAV laughing, carefree city of another
day-and her historic landmarks which
have disappeared and the like OF winch
we shall know no more forever Dut the
newcomer illustrates the modern axiom
what YOU don't know will never hurt
xonr and finds little lacking in this
western metropolis which has already
risen from it's ruins and has, today.
more people than ever before Market
street and the water front are almost
entirely rebuilt. and the structures are
all nerraarent ard imposing. Van Ness
avenue. to which the retail business
moved out after the fire. is being de-
serted by the tradespeople and the big
shops are all down town again.
The hotel accommodations are en-
tirelv adequate. TIE Fairmont on the
summit Of Mob Hill, which was opened
Ia ST summer, Is one of "the most mag
rlificent" hotels in the world the falf-
mont belonged formerly to the Fair
girls as Mrs. Herman Oelrlchs and
Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt of New York. are
Familiarity and generally spoken Of in
Frisco. ana was named for the family.
Tt is the hotel you read about and near
about outside Frisco. but in town the
ST. Francis is the scene Of more gaiety
and life.
The new Palace is almost ready for
occupancy, and there are innumerable
family hotels and apartment hotels. The
famous restaurants are rebuilding OF
have reopened for business and the gay
right life of the cafes for which Frisco
was formerly noted, seems TO De III
full swing again.
Southern California is always compar-
ed to a great garden and to those to
whom the artificial appeals, it is ire
sistibly lovely. But central and north
ern California have more natural beau
ty and charm, and that is why / prefer
them.
The approach to central California on
the Santa Fe over the Tehachapi noun
tains and the San Joaquin valley where
the wild flowers innumerable: and In
describable, are just beginning their
annual spring riot of color and frag-
rance. is fafrer to many than studied
luxuriance of the San Gabriel valley
through which We passed on our way
to Los Angeles. They have not, to be
sure, the orange groves in this north
erly cline, but there are many other
unaccustomed fruits and in the city OF
San Francisco and the suburbs the flow
ers and trees are as beautiful and as
abundant as in Los Angeles and Pasa-
dena.
The rule that we never prize the mus
ic until the sweet-voiced bird is flown,
and all that sort of thing, don't you