The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1921-12-31
John B.SIater Tells
About California
Bay Country Around San
Francisco Has Many
Interesting Features

LCdH DlCROj SolLlOiilidt A(NN' -S~-t
1921. Dear Examiner: San Fran
cisco would have population OF a
million people if it could extend its
municipal dominion over Oakland,
Alameda, Berkeley and half a dozen
smaller cities on the east side OF the
bay, but overtures for larger union
have repeatedly been rejected by
them with such decided vote that
consolidation is out of the question.
The individuality of all the east
Bay" towns is quite pronounced.
Oakland has beautiful setting
along the bay with 26 miles of water
front, and extends back into the
San Pablo hills for four miles. 1t
has a population of approximately
100000 people and is the third city
in size in the state of California and
the fifth in population in the states
of the Pacific slope There is moth
ing that marks Oakland as distinc-
tive outside of human activities. 1t
is among the first in point OF es-
tablishment in the East Bay district,
and all that it ever possessed it still
maintains. 1t has moved about more
than any city on earth. Where the
city was first built stand the old
houses along Main street. When the
people tired of this location they
moved the business center to another
place. This process has been repeat
ed so often that now the city covers
an area of by 25 miles, and time
is slowly but gradually covering in
on the wide deserted splotches.
One may walk about Oakland, con-
stantly breaking out on scenes that
are reminders of the old home town.
He can stroll down to some antiquat-
ed plaza and see the youngsters play
ing on the grassless lawns, tramp
over board walks that were ordered
built by members of the city council
half a century ago, train the eye
down the street on signs fashioned
by the early painters who displayed
an art in grotesque letterings, and
witness the sad spectacle of an old
church, once the pride of its con-
gregation of worshipers, now degen-
Grated to a vegetable store house
operated by Greeks. And the court
house is the same originally built,
and is still occupied as temple OF
justice, although larger structure
stands across the street where the
records are kept. The old court
house is of wood with long vertical
windows, creaky stairs, high ceilings,
the tremendous halls. The old
timers when called on jury go
there because, if they expectorate on
the floor at home they may do so in
the court house, which is theirs, they
are used to it and no one kicks up a
fuss about it. One may know the
sheriff by the antics of his deputies
when he comes with certain air of
pomp through the scene, and in turn
the deputies may be distinguished by
their low-brow and high-intellect de-
meanor as if gathering in mob at
one sweep of the billie. The lawyers
are there as at home, Haunting their
eloquence before a treacherous jury
and seething in derision under the
scorching criticism and rancorous de-
cisions of a clever judge who retires
at the conclusion of the melee to con-
venient chambers where he relaxes
with congenial company while the
vanquished barrister takes his crest
fallen clients to some secluded cor
ner of this temple of justice to ex-
plain how the local judicial czar
will "get his" when the state su-
preme court reaches down for his
frouseled cap-sheaf.
Oakland is not without it's marry
ing parson. He occupies a command
ing view of the plaza Immediately in
front and across the street from the
court house entrance, and over his
front door imposes a sign which
reads Minister Weddings" that is
typed in such large characters that
those contemplating marriage in
reckless haste may read while they
run.
The story of the growth of the
city is marked by the lines describ-
ing the moves or changes in the To-
cation of activities from time to
time. For several miles along the
water front milling plants and ship
yards are active elements. Large
whaves have been constructed in
places which are patronized by large
fleets and this business is divided
Il IL,