USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume I > Part 55
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Although $140,000 in bonds were about to fall due in August, 1895, many citizens opposed the plan of refunding them. A certain class said, "Let the property holders cash the bonds. It will be good for them. They ought to be cinched anyway. Go for them now and make them squeal." The situation was amazing to the officials who saw no way of inducing the moneyed men to buy
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the bonds or of compelling the citizens to refund them. The vote on the question of refunding the bonds (1895) was as follows: For refunding, 3,153; against refunding, 931. The populists let the movement against the bonds, though Mayor Davie, a populist, favored them. In July the county board went en masse to Sacramento to show why Alameda county assessments should not be increased from $91,000,000 to $100,000,000. The Merchants' Exchange held its first open meeting on October 29th. About two hundred invited guests-prominent business men of the city-were present. The subjects discussed were the needs of Oak- land. The speakers were Arper, Hilborn, Davis, Irish, Fish and Mayor Davie. All advocated energetic action to place the city at the head of the progressive centers of the coast.
The boulevard tract east of Lake Merritt was put on the market in Sep- tember. It was sold in lots at auction and brought from $1,000 to $3,400 per lot. A comparison of down town real estate value between 1885 and 1895 showed that they had risen from 200 to 400 per cent. A further comparison showed that values in Alameda, Berkeley and all of the suburban towns had advanced at a proportionate rate. In September the realty syndicate was organized with a large capital. The syndicate included many of the leading men of the city who had previously operated along private lines. By the last of September the company had acquired real estate valued at $1,500,000. This betokened a new and reformed movement in real estate and was an expression of confidence in the future growth and magnitude of the city.
Again in the fall and winter of 1896 the subject of "Greater Oakland" was discussed and agitated and viewed from all angles and elevations. George P. Morrow was particularly active in the movement at this time. He desired the annexation of a large tract to the northward. In 1896 the Spring Valley Water Company brought suit against many individuals for an infringement of its riparian rights; the farmers used the creek water for irrigation. A test suit was brought against John Beard of Niles.
The group of small frame houses which became known as the "House of Blazes" stood in the mud on the south side of Twelfth street just west of the dam. It was the resort of vice of all descriptions-drinking, gambling and scan- dal. The whole concern was sold out at auction in 1896 and became a scar of the past. It stood near where the auditorium now stands. In August seven Indian skeletons were dug out of Shell Mound at the park of the same name. Prof. John Merriam unearthed them after they were first discovered by work- men. All the skulls were flattened. Over the bones were a layer of ashes and then a layer of shells. He decided they were the skeletons of Flathead Indians.
The establishment of the Oakland Water Company was made a notable event in the history of this community. When the people were clamoring for better water, when it seemed out of the question for them to secure any improve- ment, and when the old company refused to purify the supply or reduce the price, the Oakland Water Company was organized by William J. Dingee, largely through accident. When his intentions became known he was at first hailed by many as a public benefactor. He not only planned to secure the supply from the Piedmont foothills, but the immense outflow of the artesian wells at Alvarado. Promptly many people rallied to his support. So great was the rush of patron- age that his company soon threatened to outstrip its rival both in support and
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public esteem and prestige. The board of trade, the Merchants' Exchange, the board of supervisors and the town and city trustees and councils promptly fav- ored the new company. Soon the gigantic pumps and big pipes brought all the water needed- fresh and pure from the subterranean reservoirs at Alvarado. At once the old rates were cut and recut until in a short time it was declared that the new company saved Oakland alone annually $250,000.
In 1896 Emeryville and Temescal called for separate existence as municipal centers and bodies. The tax levy of $1.14 was opposed by the mayor and at last was cut down to $1.10 and passed by the council. In August committees of the Merchants' Exchange, the board of trade and the good roads association appeared before the council to advocate better roads at once. The latter association num- bered about four hundred members who were greatly interested in the subject. In September Oakland had only two methods of street construction, macadam and bitumen-97.2 miles of the former and 4.57 miles of the latter, and 67.6 miles of unimproved streets. Late in 1896 a movement was begun to secure about five hundred acres as near the heart of the city as practicable for a public park. A committee of the board of trade composed of E. C. Sessions, J. P. Taylor, M. J. Keller, D. E. Collins and A. D. Pryal called for proposals from property owners. Attention was called to the fact that bonds would have to be issued to pay for the land.
An earthquake shock lasting about five seconds was felt here on January 17, 1897, while many of the churches were holding services. At the Tenth Avenue Baptist church the whole edifice was violently shaken. Many of the congregation stood up, several ran out of the building, and a few women turned pale or shed tears. Ejaculations or screams were heard in all parts of the audi- torium. At the First Presbyterian church the children's orchestra members dropped their instruments in fright. During all the time the southern cities were moving along, growing in population and increasing in wealth and attractive- ness, Oakland, in a large degree slept on its oars. It did little or nothing of much effect in a cooperative way. It trusted too much to its natural attractions and its important location. In 1894 W. J. Dingee, A. H. Breed & Co., and others began a movement to collect a general fund to be used for the express purpose of advertising the city, of providing accommodations for visitors, of accumulating valuable information about the county for dissemination in pamphlets and cir- culars, and of providing the public representatives with data concerning the desirability of the city and county as a home and business point. (1880 to 1897.)
Early in 1897 the citizens of Oakland, more than ever before, came out openly for a "Greater Oakland." That was the slogan of the highlands and low- lands of the time. All leading citizens except the customary and hereditary grouchy class joined the advancing army. More than a dozen industrial, social and improvement organizations enlisted and worked for a broader policy of civic betterment. Mass meetings were held, eloquent speakers addressed large audi- ences, and means were forthcoming to aid the cause ; but all to no avail, because the masses were not yet ready-had not passed the stage of wildness in the West-could see yet no merit in the movement where they were required to pay extra tax for improvements that were to be enjoyed mainly by their descendants. The movement for a greater Oakland grew in importance rapidly and called into
TAFT
TENKOVE
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Broadway, Looking South from Fifteenth Street New Orpheum Theater Scene in New Shopping District Intersection of Broadway, Fourteenth and San Pablo Avenue OAKLAND SCENES
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
action for its support hundreds of the best men of the city. One step early in 1897 was to annex at the earliest practicable date Piedmont, Golden Gate and Temescal. A few years before this date the latter had defeated the project at the polls so far as it was concerned. In the annexation scheme of March, 1897, the following suburbs were included : Golden Gate, Peralta, Temescal, Clare- mont, Piedmont and Linda Vista.
The Citizens' Municipal Improvement Association in 1897 considered three important subjects: (1) Consolidation of the city and county governments ; (2) street improvement ; (3) acquisition of land for a public park. The objects of the association were to direct public attention to municipal improvements. At a meeting held October 22d, it was the consensus of opinion that the park project should be pushed and that a tract of land in the foothills and a portion of the Adams property in Lake Merritt should be purchased. W. R. Davis favored the measures. John P. Irish said he was authorized to state for the West Oakland Improvement Club that the people west of Market street would not support any proposition to purchase outside land by inside taxation. E. C. Sessions, John T. Bell, Frank K. Mott, D. E. Collins and others favored the park improve- ments.
At an early date Oakland wanted a mammoth hotel for the benefit it would lend the city as an advertisement, and many seemed willing to sell the City Hall park to secure it. The next hobby was an intercepting sewer which, many de- clared, was an absolute necessity in order to conserve the health of the inhabitants. The third scheme was a magnificent boulevard around Lake Merritt which was commenced, but another council with malice aforethought and in cold blood paid the' contractors a large bonus to give up the contract. A fourth feverish impulse was to open all the streets to the water front-Grove street was so opened and a wharf was built perhaps illegally, but the step amounted to noth- ing. Then came the spasm over the water front and about $75,000 was spent to learn that the city had been doing right for forty years in collecting taxes from individuals and corporations. In 1897 came the scheme for a beautiful park that would require the issuance of $300,000 in municipal bonds and was so far in the country that no one would go there as there was no suitable conveyance. The park committee of the council met similar committees from the board of trade, Merchants' Exchange and the real estate dealers with a view of reaching definite conclusions that would meet the approval of all. The Sather tract was north of Lake Merritt and a little distance from its border. Another tract inspected was 320 acres near Leona Heights and Mills College. The price was $100,000. The Livermore tract and the Rock Ridge park were also con- sidered. The estimated price of the Sather tract which included Indian gulch was $750 per acre, but the owners wanted over two thousand dollars an acre.
In February, 1898, six councilmen were openly charged with the betrayal of their trusts to corporations-particularly to the water company in fixing water rates. There was much excitement and on one occasion one of them was pur- sued by the populace who shouted "lynch him." At a big mass meeting called by the Oakland Board of Trade in April, to consider the question of town and city consolidation, Alameda opposed it, Berkeley was lukewarm, but Oakland warmly favored the project. The question of county division was also dis-
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
cussed. The outside villages and towns did not seriously oppose the step. but all asked for certain concessions in case the measure became a finality. The Niles Improvement Club wanted the outside county called Alameda. Colonel Bridges of San Leandro wanted the outside county called Golden Gate. The firm posi- tion against the step taken by Alameda was the only serious obstacle, but was. sufficient to prevent conclusive action. B. F. Samborn of that town said that he did not believe two people there would favor consolidation and that "since 1874 Alameda has acquired in city property $975,000. We can now give Oak- land points in water-price and quality-electricity, light, taxes, etc. We have no trouble over our water front, will have free wharfage and streets opening on the harbor or bay. A campaign of education may change our minds. If in the next ten years you will show us how to reduce your expenses faster than we will reduce ours, we will be with you." The city called for tenders of park sites and was offered its choice of the following tracts : The Simeon tract nearly 1,200 acres near Leona Heights for $150,000; Medan tract of 476 acres back of Piedmont for $100,000; Blair tract of 235 acres near Mountain View cemetery for $250,000; Dimond Canon tract of 245 acres at the head of Fruitvale avenue for $150,000; Rock Ridge tract of 281 acres for $155,525; Sather tract of about 280 acres for $360,000; Adams property of 62 acres near Lake Merritt for $290,000. In addition the realty syndicate offered to furnish land at any of the sites where it owned property. It was at this time that the citizens admitted that the city had made a costly and grievious mistake in not securing park sites long before when the land was cheap.
The Piedmont Improvement Club was reorganized for the purpose of stimu- lating and promoting the growth of that suburb. The Encinal Land Association was organized with a capital of $50,000 and at once became active in handling realty properties in this vicinity. It seemed that if Oakland was to have forever the interminable water front wrangle, just so long would the progress of the city be retarded. Unquestionably many individuals and business concerns refused to locate here permanently owing to this obstacle.
The report of the Oakland librarian in 1898 showed that the library con- tained 25,775 bound volumes, less 263 that were missing. For the fiscal year 1897-8 the receipts were $18,666.58 and the expenditures $18,563.68. The report showed how cramped were the operations in the old building and how sadly a new building was needed. The librarian said that while the building was suffi- cient for the needs of 1868 it was totally inadequate in 1898. Perhaps in no other branch of the city government was the parsimony of the voters more con- spicuously shown than in providing money for the free library. In August the council ordered an election to determine whether $320,000 in bonds should be issued for the following purposes : $240,000 for the purchase of Adams park ; $50,000 for the improvement of West Oakland property; $10,000 for the improvement of Independence square.
The celebration of July 4, 1898, at Oakland, was a gorgeous and memorable affair. More than two thousand five hundred people gathered at Lake Merritt to see the parade during the day and to witness the fire works and the bombard- ment of Morro castle at night. All of the troops at Camp Barrett took part in the proceedings-nearly two thousand of them, including those who came from
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the Presidio and the navy yard. The parade consisted of seven divisions all under the command of Webb N. Pierce, grand marshal. All the lodges, socie- ties, posts and clubs were in line, decorated with banners and emblems, and marching to the stirring airs of fife and drum or to the statelier music of the bands. John A. Britton and Major Whitthorne were the chief orators. The news had just been received of the destruction of Admiral Cervera's fleet at Santiago and of General Shafter's advance, all of which were sufficient to fire the enthusiasm of the dullest patriot. The soldiers were almost wild and uncon- trollable in their delight and played and sang "There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight." Their sham battle was witnessed by the vast audience from the heights above Adams Point. The fire works were set off from floats on Lake Merritt. The Red Cross ladies supplied luncheon to thousands of citizens and to all the soldiers. It was said that the latter charged the overloaded tables, carried them at the point of the bayonet and captured 300 gallons of coffee, 10,000 sandwiches and fruit by the ton. The tables were 200 feet long. Dur- ing the day and evening there were also games, races and literary exercises. The total cost was $3,063. It was stated at the time that this celebration was. the most novel, original and dashing ever held in the county.
On July 19th Gung Wong Chang set off 5,000 pounds of powder near Mel- rose and killed himself and six other persons. He had shot Ham Si Sing at Melrose and took refuge in a magazine of the Western Fuse and Explosive Com- pany and defied arrest. A sheriff's posse approached the magazine and after a parley were blown to pieces. The victims were dreadfully mangled. A whole row of houses near the works was demolished. A train of freight cars near was wrecked. Probably a score of buildings were wholly destroyed and hun- dreds at great distances from the scene were injured. Thousands of horror- stricken spectators gathered to view the scene of wreck, ruin and death. Men at Camp. Barrett were thrown down by the force of the explosion. The county board passed resolutions deploring the sad event. The funeral of the victims was one of the largest ever held in the county.
In April, 1899, the Government was given its choice of twenty-seven proper- ties in Oakland for a postoffice site. The prices varied from $30,000 to $1 30,000. "The present city hall is a rookery and a fire trap in which it is positively unsafe to store public records and would not be considered a safe building in the tenement house district of an eastern city. The people could easily afford to furnish a better building for the proper care of so valuable a collection of books as I have found beneath the roof of your present library building." (A. M. Dewey, Government expert on municipal affairs.) In July, the North Oakland Improvement Club demanded the abatement of the nuisance along the bay shore by the filling in of the marsh land and the construction of a wharf to deep water in the bay on the western front of the city at a point far enough north not to conflict with the claims of the water front company to tide lands. then in litigation. Mr. Dewar was president of the club at this date. In July, Henry F. Peterson retired and Charles S. Greene succeeded him as librarian of the Oakland free library. In August, Andrew Carnegie offered to give $50,000 for the construction of a library building in Oakland, providing the city would procure a site and agree to maintain the library with $4,000 annually_
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
At this time the city was paying about $18,000 per annum for the maintenance of the library. In August, Mayor Snow recommended an issue of bonds to the extent of $450,000 for the purpose of constructing a pier from the west side of the city to deep water in the bay in order to develop the shipping inter- ests. At this time the Oakland harbor in the San Antonio estuary had cost the Government over $1,800,000. The deep water channel was completed in 1898-99. At this time the mayor said, "It takes all one's courage, in a city like this, so divided in purpose, so rent by jealous factions, so quick to criticize, so slow in action, so dull in civic spirit, to stand forth here as an exponent of large munic- ipal undertakings." He recommended an issue of bonds as follows: Piers, $450,000; sewers, $300,000; library, $90,000 ; parks, $800,000, with many other subjects yet to be considered.
In August it was estimated that 50,000 cubic yards of mud should be dredged from the bottom of Lake Merritt and deposited on the marsh between Twelfth and Eighth streets in order to form a park from that unsightly strip. As the time drew near for the completion of the dredging of Lake Merritt in the fall of 1899 it became important to settle the many disputed rights to land titles in that vicinity. The city did not know exactly what it owned there. On the marshes at the two upper arms of the lake considerable work had been done at city expense in filling land, a portion of which in reality belonged to private owners. It was important to know who owned that portion of the lake adjoining the Twelfth street dam and west of the most westerly boat house where private persons claimed title under the Peralta grant. The consolidation of the two Oakland water companies was effected largely through the efforts of W. J. Dingee. He was president of the newer Oakland water company. He said that eight years before, when he engaged in the water business, he had no more intention of trying to supply Oakland with water and of bucking against a $6,000,000 corporation (the Contra Costa company), than he had of flying, and that it all began by his attempts to sell a tract of elevated land in Pied- mont. He found that he could not sell the lots without water and the tract was above the level of the system of the Contra Costa company. This led to the development of a small water supply in the hills, and later much more water was found than expected or needed. Accordingly a 10,000,000-gallon reservoir was constructed and in the end an independent water company was formed. He was no longer regarded as a public benefactor.
In compliance with the provisions of resolutions to that effect a fire and water committee of the council investigated the subject of municipal ownership of water supply. The Blue Lakes Water Company desired to furnish Oakland with water-about 11,000,000 gallons daily, but refused to do so if the rate was to be fixed year by year. The company wanted about $15,000,000 for its whole plant. Another plan was to secure possession of the Alameda county artesian well belt and furnish its own supply. Still another plan was to condemn the property of the present water companies and take possession. In addition a system of salt water street sprinkling was considered. At this time every avail- able source of pure water supply was investigated and duly weighed.
In September, 1899, the Associated Improvement Clubs' plan of municipal improvement embraced the following items :
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
San Pablo avenue
$ 100,000
Telegraph avenue
100,000
Wharf and docks, West Oakland.
400,000
East Fourteenth street
50,000
Intercepting sewer
450,000
More schoolhouses and sites
200,000
Filling North Oakland marsh
35,000
Raising Twelfth street dam
15,000
Purchase of park sites and boulevards.
400,000
East and West Oakland parks
50,000
Total
$1,800,000
All the clubs at this time assumed that the sum of about $2,000,000 would be needed to carry on the projected improvements. The various local clubs, of which there were about a dozen in the city and suburbs, referred the matter of items to the Associated Clubs with the above result. In 1899, as never before, the people of Oakland grasped the serious subjects of public improvements and considered a new city hall, a new library building, larger and better parks, the planting of trees, extensive street improvements, wharf building, salt water street sprinkling, municipal ownership of water works, encouragement to in- coming railroads, improved sewerage, pure food supplies, local transit facilities improved, well-paved main thoroughfares, completion of the Lake Merritt improvement, filling in of West Oakland marsh, bond issues, etc. All agreed that a million dollars could readily be spent for needed improvements, but that there was little or no likelihood that such a debt would be permitted by the voters. However, it was agreed that a forward step must be taken at once.
No matter what the newspapers said the people of Oakland continued for many years to do their trading largely in San Francisco. They would not buy in Oakland because the prices were higher. At last the business men of Oak- land by general consent dropped their prices to those of San Francisco, when lo! their trade at once picked up and Oaklanders thereafter bought solely in Oakland and the city grew faster than ever before.
For years one of the drawbacks of Oakland was a body of cheap politicians and professional demagogues who kept up a continuous assault upon capital and industry in order to win the applause and favor of that portion of the labor- ing element which entertained nothing but hatred for wealth. In fact they invariably spoke disparagingly of large industries and railroad enterprises and hence at all times did incalculable damage to the rapid development of the city. In many instances they sought popularity and power by assuming the role of arbitrators between capital and labor, but not having any good object in view they usually made a rotten mess of any industrial dispute or contest. If such a man had an itching for office he at once and with éclat attacked the corpora- tions and the railroads in particular as his legitimate prey. But the saner ele- ment at last found a way to unmask or disrobe such scavengers and thwart their damaging proceedings. It was also admitted late in 1900 that what Oakland earnestly needed was a few first-class funerals-a retirement of fossil busi- ness men and the advent of fresh blood and enterprise.
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