The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-22
WILLIAM CROCKER
TELLS OF HIMSELF
Knows Nothing of Politics But
Promises Businessman's
Administration
Discusses Questions of Public
Policy in Which Citizens
Are interested
By GEORGE A. VAN SMITH

field of five candidates by the bust
nessmen's executive committee of %
as the republican aspirant for mayor
who best represents their ideas touch
ing municipal government. Through
his Endorsement by the executive com
mittee the businessmen's committee OF
zoo is pledged TO support him for the
republican nomination and, if he be
nominated, for election as the city's
chief executive.
The public, naturally enough, is al
ways interested quite as much in the
personality as in the views of men
who seek public Office. Men who are
brought out as candidates for the more
prominent Offices are usually those
who-have participated more or less ac-
lively in the politics of their commun-
tiles The general public has had more
or less opportunity 10 become acauaint-
ed with the personality OF the candi-
date and his political tendencies. II not
with his views on public questions,
which may be affected by his cleo
ton TO public office.
HIS POLITICS UNKNOWN
Neither public nor politicians knew
anything OF William Croker with re-
lation 10 politics or political questions
until few months ago, when his
name was mentioned as a candidate
for mayor The reason was obvious
Croker had never participated in pol
tiles in any manner, aside from per-
forming the good citizens duty of
casting his ballot on election day.
The business public knew Croker.
II knew him as a businessman-one
who had won substantial success. The
general public learned that Croker
had been a leader IN the planning mill
industry and that he had retired from
active business. It learned subsequent
" that Croker was the choice of the
businessmen's committee for mayor.
Croker told me yesterday some Of
the things the public wants 10 know
about himself and his views. He did
not seek the opportunity OF himself
he spoke modestly. He spoke OF moth
ing boastfully. He volunteered next to
nothing. He answered questions or
courteously declined to answer them.
a candidate for mayor. He answered
them for the same reason. Here is
what he told me:
7 am - years old. was born
in England Ny father was a citi-
zen OF this state before my birth
He had returned 10 England.
was brought to California when l
was years old. We resided in
TUolumne county. 1 came TO San
Francisco when / was 15 years OLD.
I worked at the carpenters trade.
About 1893 I went into the plan
ing mill business. II was a small
start. With others purchased the
Excelsior planning mills. Two years
later bought out the Coop inter
est IN the san Francisco planning
mill one of the largest on the bav.
The FIRE of 1906 wiped out the
plant. 1 decided not TO rebuild.
Since then I have been out Of bust
ness
NEVER IN POLITICS
I have never had anything 10
do with politics I voted as every
citizen should. There my activities
ended I never attended a conven-
ton. 1 know nothing about poll
tics If the people want business
mans administration I am conf
dent I can handle their affairs TO
their satisfaction.
If 1 can do the city any good
even at sacrifice, I am ready to
GO my part I am a candidate for
mayor because my friends advised
me that I should do something for
the city and that tnis was the OPP
perfume time 1 do not want Office
70 rthe honor or for the money I
am not wealthy, but can live very
comfortably"
I Hetchy water project and the acquisi-
ton and development OF the proposed
municipal water supply?o I asked.
Il have not gone into the sub
/ 5ect,' Croker replied. Il am not
familiar enough with il to express
an opinion. 1t is important that
we should have a good water sup
/ ply Whether the time has arrived
for its acquisition I am not pre-
! pared TO say
Are you in favor of continuing the
! fight made by the incumbent super
( visors for a 80 cent gas rate. and what
+ in your opinion should be the gas rate?''
was the next question.
7 have no opinion" said Croker.
I have not gone into the subject
Should the question ever come I'D
the proper method OF fixing the
rate would be TO find out what gas
can be made for and sold at a rea-
sonable profit"
What in your opinion. Mr. Croker,
should be done by the city IN the mat
/ ter of the United Railroads attempt to
maintain its monopoly on lower Market
street,
That replied Croocker, lis
purely a question of Law, which L
am not qualified 10 answer. Every
man Is entitled to what the law
allows him."
DO you favor resubmission to the
people Of the proposed Geary street
municipal railroad bondsg'
so long as we have recently had
z vote and the people have ex-
pressed their opinion. there are
questions more vital for our atten-
ton. These questions are a salt
water auxiliary system for fire
protection. sewers, sidewalks,
/ schools and the rehabilitation OF
the city's buildings.
LABOR AND CAPITAL
I do not know that there is any
question OF the relations of capital
and labor. They must go hand in
hand. Neither can exist without
the other. believe that both
capital and labor have learned this
and that We are coming to the
plane OF q better understanding.
never had any trouble with the
men who worked for me-
!