USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume I > Part 56
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426
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
In January, 1900, the council informally agreed upon a plan of public improve- ment which involved a cost of $1,685,000. The time seemed opportune, but they failed to submit the matter to the voters and in the political campaign which followed the wants of Oakland were for the time lost sight of. In fact, the people lost faith in the council which seemed more intent on playing petty poli- tics than on doing something substantial for the city's benefit. When the char- ter amendments were finally submitted in December, 1900, they were badly beaten-showing an utter lack of confidence in the existing council. The pro- gressive element clamored for improvements, while all unprogressives stood ready to defeat any broad plan of civic betterment. Many citizens declared that the city too long had deferred to the parsimonious spirit which shaped 'and controlled the makeshift policy of the municipality. Scores of instances were cited where the penny-wise and pound-foolish policy in the past had cost the city unnecessarily and foolishly hundreds of thousands of dollars. If there had not actually been municipal retrogression it was owing to the wonderful grow- ing qualities of the city and not to the trend and import of administrative events.
On January 8, 1900, the council as a committee of the whole, agreed upon the following items to be submitted to the voters on the proposed bond election :
New sewers and repairs
$ 350,000
Main thoroughfares
325,000
New schoolhouses and sites
200,000
New engine houses and sites
75,000
Wharves on south side
100,000
Wharf at West Oakland
225,000
New city hall
300,000
Salt water sprinkling plant
75,000
Commerce street filling
25,000
Total
$1,675,000
In July the library trustees awarded the contract for building the new library building to A. E. Barrett of San Francisco at $47,000. His original bid was $49,000, but was reduced by reason of changes made in ornamentation. In July and August over one thousand five hundred taxpayers petitioned the city council to submit to the voters soon the question of a new charter. It was believed that a new charter was necessary in order to carry into effect the improvements which were planned or commenced. At this time several automobiles could be seen upon the streets and highways of the county. On January 1, 1901, the mercury fell in Oakland to 22 degrees above zero. A few years before it fell to 18 above.
For the first time in seven years labor day was celebrated in Oakland in 1901. There were twenty unions in line and it required ninety minutes . for the procession to pass a given point. Many women were in line. For the year ending June 30, 1901, the following were the improvements in Oakland: New dwellings, 187; stores and dwellings combined, 9; store buildings, 8; churches, 2; additions to old buildings, 65; total, 271. Both Berkeley and Alameda were growing rapidly, particularly the former, faster than ever before.
SCIENCE VONKT
ARCHITECT'S DRAWING OF OAKLAND'S NEW AUDITORIUM BEING BUILT ON THE SHORE OF LAKE MERRITT
427
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
In 1900-01 the Contra Costa Water Company bought out the Alameda Water Company and thereafter supplied the customers of the latter with water. The old Berryman reservoir passed to the new company; also the pipe line south of Ward street. But almost from the start the people of Berkeley were dis- satisfied with the change, though they were given better service than that received by Oaklanders, because their supplies were measured by meters. By January 1, 1902, there were from twenty-five to thirty automobiles in use in Oakland. Thus far they had displaced only buggies. Physicians owned more than any other profession or trade.
Early in 1902 the Alpine tract was opened to purchasers; it comprised fifty acres laid off into twelve city blocks and was located on Grove street north of Temescal creek. Heron & Holcomb were the owners. Oakland in 1901 headed the list of coast cities in the number of new residences in proportion to population. The Belden Building and Investment Company transacted a large business in realty. This year sixteen tax suits were brought against the city on the ground of exorbitant assessment. The complaint said, "That said exor- bitant assessment of the property of plaintiff was not from error of judgment on the part of the said purported board, but was done with the intention of com- pelling plaintiff, together with a few other owners of property in the same part of the city, to bear more than their just burden of taxation, and was done to offset a certain reduction theretofore made by said board in the assessed valua- tion of three certain pieces of property." Judge Ogden said it looked very much as if fraud was charged in this allegation. In April the Oakland council adopted a resolution of intentions to call an election to decide on an issue of $2,000,000 in bonds for public improvement.
The realty syndicate early became one of the largest and most important business concerns ever established here. Though a private enterprise it con- ferred enormous benefits by properly advertising the advantages of Oakland at a time when other suitable publicity was almost totally lacking. Its predeces- sor was the Mutual Investment Union, whose scope of operation was not of sufficient breadth to insure the best results. With plans for vaster expansion the realty syndicate under a liberal charter began operations in 1895. Its char- ter rights and privileges were almost startling in their originality and power. They were to acquire undeveloped realty along forecasted lines, to possess the entire street railway system in Oakland and adjoining cities, and to combine with these interests a new ferry system between Oakland and San Francisco. Land was purchased slowly as it could be secured at a price upon which a profit could be realized. In a short time its securities were owned in all parts of the country, though a majority of the stock remained in the bay cities. By 1902 the syndicate owned several thousand acres of land throughout the east bay cities and their suburbs, controlled every street car line in Alameda county and was almost ready to put its ferry plans into operation.
On June 30, 1902, the new Carnegie library building was formally dedicated in the presence of a large crowd. Addresses were delivered by L. J. Hardy, G. S. Evans, President Wheeler of the university, Rev. E. E. Baker and Col. J. P. Irish. Mrs. O. K. McMurray rendered a vocal selection and Librarian Charles S. Greene read an original poem entitled "The Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge." The speakers all paid eloquent tribute to the ladies of Ebell Society, who had
428
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
done so much for the library. Of course, Mr. Carnegie received the credit that was due him. Colonel Irish closed as follows: "I desire to express the hope that there is enough public spirit in Oakland to give us in this splendid building the 700,000 books that we need." Rev. Mr. Baker said, referring to the Ebell ladies, "If Paradise was lost by a well-known woman, the women of today are doing their best to redeem it. Let us say, All honor to these ladies. It is quite impossible to overestimate the good influence in this city and community of the Ebell Society." President Wheeler said, "Let this library stand not as catering to a desire for information, curiosity or anything of a similar nature, but as enlarging the field of human usefulness." The opening verse of Librarian Greene's poem was as follows :
"Set in the beautiful garden of old, Where once our first parents dwelt in bliss, Was the wonderful tree, and they were told, 'Of all the trees you may eat save this.'"
In August, 1902, the council bond committee recommended that an election be held to vote on the question of issuing bonds to the sum of $2,500,000 for general improvements-city hall, parks and park improvements, boulevard com- pletion, engine houses, garbage crematory, etc. They recommended the pur- chase of the Sather tract at $280,000 and $75,000 for its improvement. For the city hall $400,000 was recommended. They further recommended the purchase of the property west to Clay street and that the city hall be erected in the center of the block. They also recommended $400,000 for school sites and buildings; $400,000 for street work; $175,000 for the completion of Lake Merritt boule- vard; $125,000 for filling in the park site from Eighth to Twelfth streets; $117,000 for the purchase of the willows on the east short of the lake ; $65,000 for new engine houses; $85,000 for the purchase of the Dr. Fremery property at West Oakland for park purposes; $25,000 for the improvement of Indepen- dence square and $25,000 for the free library. The bonds were voted down.
In 1902 Oakland had six shipyards where 660 men were employed; nine- teen vessels were finished or commenced. In the iron works were 705 employed ; in the textile mills 660; in the canneries 800; in bridge and construction works 2,620 ; in planing mills 590; and in the building trades 1,665, etc. The invest- ment here of nearly $800,000 by the San Francisco Terminal and Ferry Com- pany, the purchase of the right of way of the California and Nevada Railway by the San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose Railroad Company, the establish- ment of a new ferry line to operate between Emeryville and San Francisco, the vast improvements on the Emeryville pier, and the erection of large steel works were important features of industrial development in 1902. It was estimated at the close of 1902 that from 700 to 800 houses of all kinds had been erected in Oakland. Among the large structures in Oakland were the postoffice, the crematory, Athenian Club building, the Elks building, the Carnegie library and others.
By January 1, 1903, the realty syndicate had 6,000 investors, owned 4,838 acres of suburban property and 334,000 feet frontage of inside property-all worth about $3,466,500. It likewise owned the controlling interest in the street
429
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
car systems. In January Dr. Bushrod James of Philadelphia gave the city free, a park of 71/2 acres on Shattuck avenue and Fifty-ninth street upon condi- tion that it be called Bushrod park and be improved and devoted to park pur- poses. It is now a playground for the Washington school.
It was admitted in January that the most important question which con- fronted Oakland was that of the control of city water; all others could wait- streets, schools, fire engine houses, sewers, hotels, parks, etc. In the words of the water committee the water situation was "intolerable." In January the citizens committee on water supply reported in favor of the city's supplying the inhabitants with water and stated that the best. source of supply west of the Sierras was the Niles gravel bed. They said, "We therefore recommend the construction of an adequate distributing system, the laying of pipe lines to Niles, the purchase from the owners of the land on this gravel bed the right to develop and carry away water for our use, and the construction of pumping plants thereon. We recommend that the citizens of Oakland take action towards securing a water supply system under municipal ownership." This movement was denominated "Oakland's deliverance." In May the council took the first decisive step against the old water company and in favor of a municipal water plant by ordering plans and specifications therefor. Mayor Oleny took the position that Oakland should not buy out the Contra Costa Water Company because of the following reasons: (1) There would be too much complica- tion in the transfer as the company was bonded for $3,500,000, about what the plant had actually cost; (2) The distributing system of water from San Lean- dro creek was both too small and too impure; (3) It would be necessary for the three cities-Oakland, Alameda and Berkeley-to act in unision on the prop- osition, because the system was already in operation in all these, and Oakland could not dictate to the others. The Spring Valley Water Company claimed to have spent for the development of its system on Alameda creek the sum of $5,537,304. Its total acreage in and adjoining the Calaveras valley was 4,900 more or less. In May, 1903, it was decided to try street sprinkling with salt water. The plan was tried and pronounced a success.
On April 24, 1904, Oakland voted as follows on the proposition to raise $960,000 on school bonds: For the bonds 3.330; against the bonds 575. The object in view was to do away with the makshift schoolhouses and erect build- ings in keeping with the size of the school enumeration and with the impor- tance of the city. It was planned to vote later on an issue of $250,000 for a polytechnic high school. During the year Oakland advanced rapidly in popu- lation and civic improvement. Large sewers were reconstructed; Twelfth street dam was remodeled; many streets were paved; thousands of trees were planted along the streets; school bonds were voted; more of the lake boulevard was built, and the great plan of public improvement, though the bond proposition failed at the polls, made distinct advance. The eleven-story Union National Bank building was erected, two new theatres were built, several fine business blocks took the place of old structures; numerous factories, several churches and many handsome residences appeared in different parts of the city. The Santa Fe railroad was completed; the Key Route ferry began business with the numerous electric lines as feeders, the Southern Pacific transformed its freight terminal. The Home Club had a new home and the Ebell Society was securing one and
430
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
excellent progress was made in securing funds for a new Y. M. C. A. build- ing. The main outlet storm sewer along Thirty-sixth street was completed in October, 1904; it began at Sherman street and Telegraph avenue and extended to the bay. The total cost was $145,466. The dirigible balloon "California Arrow" shown at the World's Fair in St. Louis, was the invention of Capt. Thomas S. Baldwin of Oakland. It made a successful showing-was the admi- ration of immense crowds. Fruitvale Progress was edited by C. Leidecker. He said that in the past three years the population of Fruitvale had doubled- had now 2,300 school children as against 3,000 in Alameda. Late in August Charles S. Greene, librarian of the Oakland public library was appointed a trustee of the state library by Governor Pardee.
The election of September, 1904, determined whether Oakland should enter upon a new era of expansion and development or whether it should fall behind other enterprising communities where beautiful environment was sought. The vote on the bond propositions resulted as follows :
Proposed Improvements
Amounts
For
Against
I. Small parks and play grounds
$570,580
3,760
3,333
2. Central park incl. part of Sather tract
450,000
3,100
3,976
3. Proposed lake and other boulevards
301,670
3,848
3,148
4. Sewer extensions and renewals
121,440
4,910
2,160
5. Wharf foundations and bulkheads
15,000
4,930
2,135
6. Dredging Lake Merritt
48,400
3,979
3,045
7. Concrete culverts and bridges
49,640
4,274
2,687
8. Bituminous crosswalks and culverts
I27,000
4,824
2,267
9. Polytechnic high school and land
143,000
4,544
2,507
IO. Additional fitting for free library
15,000
4,351
2,683
II. New city hall and more land
650,000
4,092
2,980
Thus all propositions were defeated. The total vote polled was 7,563, of which 5,042 or two-thirds, were necessary for success. The wharves proposition received 5,006 and thus lost by thirty-six votes. The sewers proposition received but 4,538 votes. All the others failed by smaller votes. The so-called central park proposition did not receive a majority of the votes cast. It was thought by many that the great number of propositions confused the voters and forced them in self-defense to say no on all. This election was termed "a successful failure."
Before the city council and a large audience in October, 1904, five water projects were considered, as follows: (1) From the Bay Cities Water Com- pany guaranteeing a delivery of 20,000,000 gallons, the city to build the neces- sary reservoirs and distributing plant; (2) plan of Engineer Miller to develop from wells in the county a supply of 12,000,000 gallons per day at a cost of $4,000,000; (3) to secure water from the American river through pipes IIO miles long with 10,000 electric horse power by means of waterfalls at a total cost of water of $3,638,000 and for electrical power $410,824; (4) proposition of the Sierra Nevada Water and Power Company for a supply of 17,000,000 gallons per day from the head of Mokelamne river, cost not given; (5) proposi- tion from President Dornin offering the city an option on 1,000 acres, shown to
431
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
have extensive artesian possibilities, cost $3,200,000. Of these five propositions the one submitted by M. K. Miller, engineer, possessed the most attractive fea- tures and was inspected in detail by the city authorities and the citizens. The Bay Cities Water Company offered to deliver to the city 20,000,000 gallons ·of water per day at a saving of $8,000,000 to the city at the end of the bonding period over the existing system, besides owning both supply and system. The vote on the water problem was as follows: For the bay cities water proposi- tion, 5,054; for the wells supply, 1,545; against both propositions, 366; for either, 65. Accordingly the council by resolution, passed late in November, 1904, accepted the proposition of the Bay Cities Water Company.
On January 16, 1905, the council by a unanimous vote passed to print the ordinance submitting the question of acquiring the municipal water supply offered by the Bay Cities company. March IIth was fixed as the day of election. On February 6th the council, without a dissenting voice sent for the approval of the people the proposition of the Bay Cities Water Company to furnish a munic- ipal water plant. The council sitting as committee of the whole, considered the proposition to bond the city for the construction of sewers and voted unani- mously to recommend that step, the cost to be about $300,000. At the same time the council considered the proposition of 1,700 petitioners to submit to the voters the question of closing the saloons-to exercise local option. At the election on the bond proposition March II, 1905, the vote stood-for bonds 4,385, against bonds 5,242. The defeat of the bonds resulted probably from the fear of the people that there was something crooked in the whole proposition. In 1905 the Merchants' Exchange appointed a committee to investigate the scope and character of the operations of the Spring Valley Water Company in taking water from Alameda county sources for use in San Francisco. The committee made a thorough investigation and finally rendered its report which was unanimously adopted. It was shown that the company owned 43,000 acres in this county, of which 20,000 were tillable and were thus non-productive. This land was mainly in Livermore, Sunol, Amador, San Ramon and Calaveras valleys and the Niles delta. The report was finally referred to the county board and the district attorney for such action as might be deemed proper. The coming of the Western Pacific, the development of the water front, the planning of new industrial enterprises, the improvement of streets, the erection of better school buildings, the improvement of the harbor, the increase in commerce and trade, and the successful attempts to beautify the city, were followed by vast advance- ment in every department of human uplift.
In November the National Board of Fire Underwriters stated that as an initial step of primary importance in obtaining a satisfactory measure of fire pro- tection supply the city should acquire absolute control of its water works through municipal ownership or other effective means and that the fire depart- ment as then organized was not adequate to handle fires with sufficient prompt- ness and effectiveness to guarantee proper safety from conflagrations-that the recent rapid growth of the city had not been accompanied or followed by a corresponding strengthening of the fire department.
In December Rev. Robert Whitaker, in a sermon in this city declared that Oakland needed sadly a municipal cleanup-that the city like Philadelphia was Vol. 1-28
432
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
"corrupt and contented." Reverend Mr. Wakeley took an opposite view and said. "The delectable city is not yet the spotless town and Oakland with her beautiful streets, her opportunities for a wide development, her parks and her schools is in no wise behind her more blatant rivals. Granting the facts to be true, are these gentlemen justified in using their pulpits for such a wholesale condemnation of our city's government and citizenship. The forces of good in a city are not to be advanced by such utterances and they are open to the charge of yellow preaching." At this time Mr. Whitaker was president of the recently organized Law and Order League of East Oakland. He appeared at a private meeting of the board of police and fire commissioners and explained why he had made the above statements. Among other things he said, "I am not certain that any exigency would justify a minister who has won man's holiest confi- dences into betraying them except where life itself is at stake. Nor am I certain that if I were prepared to give these confidences you are the men to whom I. would give them. Your personal probity I do not question, but you are polit- ically related to the accused." Of his statements Mayor Mott said that although he charged official graft and corruption, he did not specify nor verify his declara- tion but dealt in generalities.
At the close of 1905 Oakland had eight engine companies, four truck compa- nies, three chemical engine companies, two hose companies and 20,400 feet of fire hose. Connected with the department were 138 men, of whom 50 were full paid and others "call" men. A new engine house costing $12,000 was built in the Golden Gate district. The fire alarm and police telegraph system was in full operation and indispensable. N. A. Ball was chief of the fire department.
The Oakland Chamber of Commerce was partly organized November 11, 1905. Among those who made addresses at the meeting were Mayor Mott, George W. Fisher, Theodore Gier, F. W. Bilger, H. C. Capwell, H. P. Brown, Charles E. Snook, Frank A. Leach, Jr., E. M. Gibson, T. O. Crawford, Edwin Meese, G. W. Langan, William J. Laymance and Dr. H. G. Thomas. The object of the chamber was to aid in the development of Oakland. Already the board of trade and Merchants' Exchange had well commenced the task of expansion and improvement. The chamber was fully organized on December 11 by the election of Edson F. Adams for president and a full list of other officers and the appointment of committees. At this time there were over six hundred active members.
In January, 1906, the council passed 'an ordinance calling for an election to determine the question of issuing $992,000 in bonds for park purposes. The park sites were ten in number which were voted on January 14th. The prin- cipal one was Adams Point. Others were the marsh land at Twelfth street dam, tract at Conservatory park, the Willows property, the DeFremery prop- erty, a tract adjoining Bushrod park, tract in North Oakland, strip at East Oakland, tract east of Lake Merritt, a tract adjoining Prescott school. By the vote of 2,702 to 566 Oakland carried this big park bond proposition. Adams Point cost $500,000; the Willows cost $201,000; the De Fremery tract cost $120,400 and the others much smaller sums.
The Oakland Clearing House went into operation for the first time on April 27, 1906; eleven banks joined the association. All banks of the county soon cleared here.
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CENTRAL SAVINGS BANK, OAKLAND
433
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
CLEARING HOUSE SUMMARY
Clearings
Balances
May
$2,712,618
June
16,039,430
2,879,130
July
15,826,707
3,472,460
August
15,663,587
3,790,100
September
12,809,454
2.990,866
October
15,890,985
3.746,645
November
14,332,584
2,838,272
OAKLAND BANKS
Deposits April Deposits December
Bank
18, 1906 Omitting cents $12,874,181
1, 1906 Omitting cents $18,241,539
Oakland Bank of Savings
Central Bank
4,947,060
10,306,542
First National Bank.
1,431,814
3,998,287
Union Savings Bank.
4,383,765
6,745,22I
Union National Bank
1,359,601
3,210,148
Security Savings Bank
356,857
901,368
California Bank
585,783
1,121,340
Farmers' and Merchants' Bank
1,058,423
1,412,729
State Savings Bank
797,860
1,094,150
West Oakland Bank and Trust Company
143,234
205,672
Total
$27,938,583
$47,237,000
Late in October, the Oakland building permits numbered in one week 112 valued at $128,268. There were thirty-three one-story dwellings. From statis- tics prepared by W. B. Fawcett of the board of public works, it was shown that Oakland expended $7,660,378 in 1906 for the construction of 4,832 buildings, the largest sum for any month being $1,039,228, and 612 permits in October.
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