The San Francisco call., 1910-09-17

Those vino rode out the Mission road :
or to the county line five years ago
would find food for thought if they
would reflect upon the condition of the
territory south of Silver avenue then
and the condition of that same territory
today.
At that time the Mission road, as it
was then called, was river of mud in
winter and bed of dust in summer.
1t had all the characteristics OF a COM
mon country road.
1t was intersected at intervals by ,
roadways or lanes that traversed large
fenced areas. Vegetable gardens,
dairies and truck farms were TO be
found on every side. The large, slowly
water that was consumed by man or
beast
OF such character was most of the
land inclosed by Persia avenue upon
the north. Geneva avenue upon the
south, La Grande avenue on the east
and San Jose avenue upon the west.
In this area there was a total popula-
tlon OF about 400. The population today
is between 10000 and $4,000. In this
area there were four stores that easily
supplied the wants of the people.
Today there are about 400 stores and
their doors. Five years ago this area
afforded protection to about 100 houses,
today 1t accommodates over 3 900 houses
and there is plenty of room for more
Building is active here as 1t is any
where else in the city.
In such territory grew up the Green
Valley Improvement club, one of the
youngest, yet one of the most ag-
gressive and successful Improvement
clubs in the city. Organized on the
Sth of January of the present year with
a membership of 36. it has continued
to grow in strength and prosperity un-
til it now numbers over 200 active mem
bers.
Deriving its strength from the pio
neers, who by their own individual eff
forts have made this district what it is,
this club has by uniting these forces.
accomplished great good for its mem
bers and neighbors. 1t is said that the
club has received all that it has asked
for. The officers state that they have
been modest in their requests. have
shown desire upon all occasions to
meet the city authorities more than
half way and have asked only for what
were obvious necessities
SUCCESS DUE TO UNITED ACTION
The success of the club has been due
largely to it's solidarity. The members
have long worked individually and
benefits of unity have appealed to them
so strongly that they have permitted
their officers and their committees TO-
devise comprehensive and systematic
plans for the. development OF The dis
trIct, and they have to man backed
their officers and committees in what
ever they undertook.
Most of the people in this district
own their own homes and this also ac-
counts for the interest and enthusiasm
that has been taken in the develop
ment of the district. The people are
for the most part hard working. in
dustrious laboring men, Their homes
are not pretentious. but they are sub
stantial and comforta BILE.
There is so much work to be done
in this district that is necessary that
little thought has as yet been given TO
matters of luxury. Beauty and artistic
DEVELOPMENT will no DOUBT come later.
The first ma tier that came before the
club was the establishments Of Il sewer
system FOR the distrio.. Practically
speaking there were NJ sewers. BY
continued and persistent Efforts the
club secured the laying Of sewers. The
work is more than half completed
Main sewers and side sewers are TOW
being constructed. 1t is expected that
in a short while the whole district will
be thoroughly severed.
STREET WORK ACCOMPLISHED
Since the organization of the club
it has sought to have street work done
throughout the district This expense
fell upon the property owners and they
have as a rule. enthusiastically coop
Grated with the street committee. Much
work along this line has been done,
much is being done, and much more is
contemplated for the future. The club
secured the right of way through the
Somps tract. whereby the citv will be
enabled to complete the proposed ocean
to the bay boulevard.
This boulevard will come in on Onon-
dago avenue, which will be widened for
the purpose 1t will give the residents
of this district direct access to the
ocean on one side and to the bay upon
the other, and will make this district
about the midpoint of the channel or
avenue of traffic that will be accommo-
dated by the proposed boulevard. Mis-
sion street will be the axis that will
intersect the boulevard at about right
angles.
The light committee has secured IA
additional lights for the district. An
evening school has been established
within the last three months at the
Monroe school. Commencing with 80
pupils. it now has in attendance more
than 100. The club secured a distribu-
ting station of the free library and is
now working to have established a reg
ular branch library.
The extension of the Spring Valley
water companys mains into the higher
section of the district is another matter
occupying the attention of the associa-
tion.
Pending the securing of permanent
frehouse in the district the club has
organized a volunteer fire brigade. This
brigade is thoroughly equipped and Of
ficered and prepared to do efficient
service if necessity requires it.
Only short time ago the club Sc
cured an appropriation for new school
building. This building, the new Cleve-
land primary, has just been completed
and will tomorrow be dedicated by the
social and benevolent associations of
the district under the auspices of the
Green Valley Improvement club. Mayor
P H. Mccarthy win be one of the
speakers.
1t has already been found that this
school will not afford accommodation
for the children of the district. Already
efforts are being made to secure an
other primary school for the district
PARKS AND FAIRGROUNDS
So rapidly has this district grown
that it is now apparent that parks and