The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-03
OAKLAND REALTY
MARKET ACTIVE
Building Permits Increase and
Big Sum Spent in Con-
struction
Public Improvements and Rail-
way Extensions Cause an,
Upward Trend

moving was MADE during June In
realty transactions. Building permits
issued during the month totaIed 26s.
and the money investment was $780,, 1852.
One Of the best indices of the rapid
return Of normal business conditions
is the months record in bank clear
ings. According 10 the figures sent
out by the chamber of commerce the
total for June was $780, es.se. For
June. 1905. the total was s5.s72. ZOE. 20.
a gain for this year of Sl.s5s,0es.l
These figures are important They
show healthy increase and stable BUSH
ness movement which, the chamber of
commerce statisticians assert, will not
be eoualed by any city on the Pacihc
coast.
The chamber Of commerce has pre-
pared other statistics of trade for the
month. which are also significant.
pointing strongly to a healthy revival
of commercial activity, all of which
must rebound TO the general benefit
Of the city. Some of the June Ngures
on shipping follow:
Total number of vessels docking in Oakland
nsrbor Tor the month of June, 1909, WAS go,
with a total tonnage Of 1858 tons. These fig
ures show an increase Of 20 vessels and 30. I25
in tonnage over last month.
Total number OF vessels docking in Oakland
hsrbor for the year. from July /. 1908. TO July
I, 1903, as reported by the chamber. amount to
2.lf5. al total tonnage of 1.115.150
The report for this month shows far greater
increase than any month for the last year.
REALTY Is ACTIVE
Bearing upon the real estate situa-
ton the increase in commercial and
industrial activity is OF value. With
stimulation Of business in all lines
the demand for realty increases.
Brokers are confident of a steady re-
vival. following the usual quiet of
midsummer. It is noticeable that in
curry for home sites continues I'M
Stacked. Sales of such property are
frequent and there is a continuance
as well Of the erection of first class
residences. In many Of the well known
residence tracts in and about the city
the construction Of new homes is no
ttceable. II is also observed that a
superior class Of dwellings is being
put up, not necessarily high priced, but
Of excellent construction and archi-
tecturally Of the highest type.
That Oakland is rapidly forging to
the front as a show city in point of
beautifully appointed homes is one of
the outgrowths of the stimulus which
a progressive municipal government
has given civic affairs.
PUBLIC BETTERMENTS
Permanent improvements are being
installed at rate heretofore unheard
OF in Oakland. It IS estimated that not
less than % per cent Of the annual mu-
nicipaI revenue goes into permanent
public betterments. This is exclusive
of the money which has been raised by
bonding. For the fiscal year ended
June 80 more than 100000 was ex-
fn he q ma q v
record not equaled by many cities in
the country.
In the forwarding of a magnificent
public park system much progress has
been made. The street department has
been made much more efficient. Many
miles Of new sewers, sanitary and
storm water drains have been laid.
Many miles of new streets have been
constructed. The lighting of the down
town district. with a splendid cleo
trolier system, has been extended The
FIRE department has been increased and
plans have been undertaken further to
better that important branch of the
public service. Temporary solution OF
the garbage disposal problem has
given relief to householders. In
short, the municipality has set a pace
which is reflected in a new public
spirit and in lettering OF business
in All quarters. All of this acts as a
strong magnet for prospective invest
ors and home seekers. II is therefore
OF vast Importance TO the man who
handles real estate.
RAILWAY EXTENSION
Railroad work goes ahead without
a break Steadily the Western Pacific
railway is reaching into the city. Local
train service is being increased. 1t
will be matter of a comparatively
few months when Oakland and envi-
rons will be connected with San Fran
cisco by the finest suburban service in
the country. With the Increase yester-
Gay OF boats during the rush hours"
on the Key Route still further progress
in that direction has been made. With
the three systems in operation there
are nine ferry boats an hour between
the two cities between 4 O'Clock and
s O'Clock in the afternoon, divided as
follows: Key Route, four boats; South
ern Pacific, Oakland mole, three boats;
Southern Pacific, Alameda mole, two
boats. Virtually a boat every six min
utes. Real estate men are taking full
advantage Of this condition, and also
do they point out that the Southern
Pacific company Will undoubtedly in
crease its service as soon as its electric
system has been installed. Both the
Key Route and the Southern Pacific
company are carrying capacity crowds
during the rush hours.
The Southern Pacific company is
planning extension Of it's suburban line
to provide an outlet for large popu-
latfon in the vicinity Of the Stone or
-chard tract at Elmhurst. 1t is under
stood that a gasoline motor service is
TO be installed abouS August l, by
which trains will run half hourly di-
rect TO Oakland mole by way of Elm
hurst station. The new branch is to
be extended north fro>- Elmhurst sta
ton, crossing East Fourteenth street.
and making connection with the ex-
tension OF the electric road, which is
20 be operated by the Southern Pacific
10 San Leandro. No little interest is
being taken in these improvements, as
they viii affect realty values from
Fruitvale 10 san Leandro.
NORTH OF ALAMEDA LINE
With the well founded reports that
the Santa Fe will at an early date
put on local trains with 20 minute
service. and 10 cent fares from Rich
mond 10 Oakland and San Francisco
comes word Of renewed activity in the
suburban section lying north Of the
Alameda county line and east of San
Pablo avenue. This section is well
protected by the lower range of hills
from the sharp winds. and by the same
he which 8 raj 70