The Republican journal., 1912-03-21
Letter from San Francisco.

leTeStlllS W youI ulduy iSduels, Will
give you some of my impressions of the
city. There has been but little rain here
for the rainy season. In January only
about two inches of rain fell. Last year
in January the rainfall was thirteen
inches. Sometimes there will be week
at time of pleasant, sunny weather.
was surprised to see it so pleasant in the
rainy season. as had an idea that it rain
ed nearly every day. They tell me it is
about as pleasant here now as at any
time of year. In the summer there is
much more wind ard fog. The nights
are all cool here in the summer and you
want plenty Of bedclothes. There are
no hot nights, as we have them in the
east. The papers say there are forty
thousand men here out of work. Thou
sands have come from the east this win
ter expecting plenty of work and big pay,
but they have been grievously disappoint-
ed and are stranded here with not
money enough to get away. 1t is hard
place for anyone out of work, everything
is so high here. They expect to get
work on the Panama-Pacific Exposition
improvements here soon, but even that
will not make work for one-half that
have flocked here for work. Wages are
quite high here and the unions are very
strong and it is hard work for a nom
union man to get a good job.
There is lots of building going on and
they are making great preparations for
the fair in 1915. 1t is astonishing how
the city has built up since the great
earthquake and fire, when it was laid
low and nearly all destroyed. Ore half
the people had fled, as they had nowhere
to stay, and many people thought it would
never be built up again, but the people
of San Francisco are not built that way.
They went to work with will and now
they have larger and better city than
tial buildings. Nearly all the business
blocks are made with steel frames, strong
and durable. 1t seems like a miracle
what they have accomplished in less than
SIX years since the earthquake. They
are great boosters and boomers here and
have great faith and pride in their State
and city, and continually sing the praises
of San Francisco as the one place in the
world. If the people of the east had
the same hustle, enthusiasm and faith
that they have here, much more could be
accomplished to promote our growth.
They have large and interesting Cali
fornia exhibit on the secor 1 floor of the
Ferry building. with all the fruits and
products of the State, also its many ores,
minerals and woods, which is we'll worth
seeing. | went through the U. S. mint
here, 1t is the largest mint in the world,
coming fifty million dollars a month,
There are attentive and courteous guides
on purpose to show any one through the
institution. l saw solid gold brick
there worth $4,000 and coins of eyery
country in the world, many of which are
great curiosities. l went through the
Diamond Palace, which is said to be the
finest jewery store in the world. 1t
certainly is very beautiful and DAZZLING
with Its many mirrors and beautiful
works OF art on the walls and overhead.
Golden Gate Park, the third largest
park IN the world, is one mile wide and
I'VE miles long, with many beautiful
drives and walks. 1t has large num-
Der of special attractions, among them
the chldren's playground, where everv-
thlng has been arranged for the amuse-
'heht OF the little ones. They have one
OF the finest and largest museums in
America Of paintings, sculpture and
curlos which is free to the public;
conservatory OF rare and beautiful
plants, trees, shrubs and flowers from
every part of the world; birds of ali
KINDS and description from different
countries In their brilliant plumage; ami
mails Of all kinds, including large herd
OF buffalo, bear, moose, elk, deer,
kangaroo, ostrich, etc.; beautiful lakes
Wlth artificial islands and full of beau
~tl1ui and graceful swans and ducks.
The park is dotted with monuments.
statues and other works of art. The
japanese tea gardens are full of JAPAN
ese buildings in true oriental style. with
Jap walters serving food and drink to
the public. 1t is very amusing and en-
Pertaining to hear them and see them in
t. 1helr native costume There are beauti-
1ul fountains, rustic bridges, babbling
brooks full of gold fish; in short every
thing conceivable to please the eye and
charm the senses. There is a music
stand at the park, presented by Claus
Spreckels, the sugar king, that cost
100000, where they have band concerts
every Sunday afternoon by one of the
largest and finest bands in the country.
The open air amphitheatre has seating
capacity of 100, GOO people and on one
beautiful Sunday l was there the seats
were all full and thousands living down
on the green grass. Thousands of teams
and automobiles of all kinds were con-
tinually on the move, seemingly an end
less nrocession With tho irnmansa