The San Francisco call., 1910-02-20


wv city of achievements. Some of this success is
undoubtedly due enterprise, but of it also
to the opportunity which fate gave without much
warning of doing so years work again from the
beginning We have done part of it. and all there has
been done larger and perfect than it before
but there plenty room further achievement
The year of rebrh gigantic strides forward in
the rebuilding of city In the II months that have just
passed. San Francisco removed the last of the fire
and assumed again the outward appearance of powerful
and progressive city Many of the large buildings were
completed in 1909 The vacant spaces in the business
district which for three years mutey eloquent of
destruction and disaster occupied by solid and
enduring monuments to the unperishabe spirit of
citizens. From material point of view have done
wonders-so the whole world tells In ordinary times
could hardly be blamed it, speaking of these material
achievements during the last year. content to
enurnerate them in detail
They would make a, list which could be extended
almost indefinitely, and would carry with them roll Of
honor of of energy and enterprise of of the hour
such the world has seldom united spot for
common stand against dire emergency. And it not
emergency that put the courage of population
supreme but unparalleled series of difficulties and
dscouragements. We toed and struggled through street
strikes labor troubles and financial panics and trials
and tibulations fell upon thick and fast that the
world would have been astounded to go down
knees hopessy discouraged and rrevocaby defeated
The San Franciscan however may vince but he does
wilt The day after the memorable catastrophe of 1906
he began his house cleaning and the end of the year
would have been difficult recognize this modern city
with her broad clean and massive business blocks
the of calamity The old landmarks, like
the Palace hotel and the California market in which every
San Franciscan had sentimental interest had been
stored substantial and beautiful form than
ever and the cultivation of the fine
forgotten the pressure of immediate necessities
The religious spirit of community clearly manifested
by the erection of many beautiful church edhces and the
restoration and repair of all that injured
We have now more theaters and playhouses than we
had before, and architecture has seldom
found such rich field of opportunity and activity. Our
magnificent bank buildings give eloquent testimony of the
development only of financial affairs but also Of
striving for beauty. We point with pride to
this appearance of prosperous soldy tempered with cul-
tIred taste The city is agog with STRINGS of
improvements; new schools, new hospitals water
supplies, railroads, front. That
commercially worth while the of the world
evidenced by the fact that and great railroad has
recently entered gates and connected with great
centers of population of vast country. Our new
importance, acquired by achievements, also wit
messed in the world of literature. The magazines and
newspapers of the world devote much apprecative
attention to city and noveiss and paywrights
found city and her characteristic spirit an inter
esting study 1t would tedious and also rodest for
San Franciscan say in praise of his city all that he
knows that she truhfuy deserves the way of acnowl
edging her material progress but my opinion have
be prouder of single achievement of the last
year than all of the of them put together 1t is not
material achievement it spiritual achievement 1t is
the creation of civic spirit rejoice in it. as
moralist, but simple citizen and merchant have