The San Francisco call., 1909-03-04

statement OF their purposes. follows:
Amendment No. relates 10 the crea-
ton Of a park commission As the law
stands now the board Of public works
has control OF the public parks and the
object OF the amendment IS to place
the public parks Of the city under spe-
cisi charge OF a board Of park com
missioners.
CREATES PARK COMMISSION
Under this amendment three park
commissioners VIII be appointed by the
mayor and viii receive no compensa-
tion for their services. One viii serve
for two years. one for three years and
one for four years, and upon the ex-
piration OF these terms a new appoint
ment shall be made for a four year
term This park commission is in
tended 10 relieve the board Of public
works from the duty Of caring for the
parks. as on account OF the tremendous
growth Of the city the board can not
give 10 the parks the care and atten-
ton that they should have.
Amendment No. relates TO the ap-
pointment Of library trustees for the
management OF the free public library
and reading rooms OF the city. Next
year the census will disclose that Oak
land has 100000 population Under the
law as II stands now IN cities Of over
100. 600 Inhabitants the governor has
the authority 70 appoint IL citizens as
members OF the board OF library trus-
tees and these il in conjunction with
the mayor complete the board. AS no
official census has been taken since
Oakland numbered 100. 900 Inhabitants
the amendment IS provided for in order
that the appointment Of trustees may
remain with the mayor instead Of be-
ing exercised by the governor.
INCREASING SALARIES
BY amendment No. ; It is proposed
10 raise the salary Of the superintend-
ent OF streets from 1925 per month to
$3.50 per month; the city clerk from
Sl25 per month TO $500 per month; the
chief engineer Of the fire department
from $3.50 per month 10 $500 per month;
the chief Of police from S175 per month
10 $500 per month The salaries that
are now IN operation were fixed in
1888, when there were about $4,000
people IN the city Of Oakland
Amendment No. provides for the in
itiative. the referendum and the re-
call Upon a petition signed by 80 per
cent Of the registered electors. the
council must pass any ordinance OF
resolution required by the petitioners
and If the council fails TO pass the or
dinance petitioned for, then the coun-
ell must submit the ordinance TO the
vote Of the people at a special election
II the petition is signed by only 3 per
cent Of the registered electors, then
the council must either pass the or
dinance petitioned for or place the
proposition on the ballot at the mex,
general municipal election after the
nling of the petition. Under the refer
endum when 80 per cent of the regis
tered electors petition that an ordi-
nance passed by the city council be
either reSclnded or amended and the
council refuses so 10 accede, then the
council must submit the ordinance to
the voters at a special election. Under
the recall when petition signed by
voters equal in humber TO so per cent
OF the number of votes cast for the
particular Office, the incumbent OF
which is desired TO be recalled. is filed
with the city clerk, the council mus,
then call an election 1or the purpose
OF deciding whether or not the officer
against whom the recall IS directed
shall be reelected or some other per
son elected in his stead.
FRANCHISE PROVISION
Amendment No. 5 provides power fol-
the council TO grant franchises to per-
sons, firms or corporations for the con-
etruction and maintenance of wharves
docks and slips and warehouses on the
water front Of the city, and amendment
No. provides for the management
regulation and control by the board OF
public works Of these wharves, docks
and slips and landing places.
Amendment No. z gives the council
the power to grant a franchise to the
extent Of about 1880 feet for railroad
and wharf purposes on that part of the
water front which is now occupied by
the buildings and pters and slips OF
the Southern Pacific company, reserv.
ing TO the city of Oakland between the
Western Pacifc's 1000 foot fronta &c
and the Southern Pacific frontage OF
1850 feet a frontage Of LOSS feet foI
the city Of Oakland. ~
Amendment No. S Is practically the
same as amendment No. Z. but allows
the council 10 grant franchises fo1
railroad terminals, depots, landing
places and wharves upon the property
referred to in amendment No. :.
The purpose Of the last three amend
rnents is to provide for the increased
rights and powers which have beer
conferred upon the city of Oakland BIZ
the decisions Of the United States cour,
of appeals AS the original charter die
not provide for these rights. it is now