Polk's Oakland (California) city directory, 1930, Part 4

Author: R.L. Polk & Co
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : R.L. Polk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1624

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The completion of this wall will not only make the shore line more attractive in appearance but will effectually end the washing away of the parked area along the shore.

CLEAR WATER FOR LAKE MERRITT

] wish at this time, however, to repeat and emphasize a recommendation I first brought up in 1919, and which I have urged for the Council's most earnest considera- tion in practically every annual message since. I refer to the necessity of cleansing the waters of Lake Merritt, and to the demand for the establishment of a municipal swimming pool therein. This is a matter, too, which from the fire hazard standpoint of our entire business and industrial district should have the advocacy of every tax- payer and citizen.

Lake Merritt should and can be maintained at maximum purity hy bringing to it, via pipe line and high pressure salt water fire-fighting conduit and pumps, the clean, high-tide ocean water of San Francisco Bay. In my message of 1923 I stated that "bringing in this water, which can he accomplished at a relatively low cost, from the deep water of the western waterfront at the end of Fourteenth Street, will not only provide athletic clubs with clean salt water for plunge, bath and other purposes, but will permit the hotels of our city to take advantage of the supply. The greatest benefit, however, would be the provision for a continual flow of clean salt water into Lake Merritt, delivered to the lake through a series of electrically lighted cascade fountains erected at strategic points. The present Estuary opening will then be used for an outlet only."

Fifteen Acres of Park Land Can be Created

At the same time the Estuary inlet to the lake should be completely culverted from the present culvert at the Twelfth Street Dam down to the Estuary itself. This would not only eliminate a defacing tidal condition but would add fifteen additional acres of level land to the present city owned acreage south of the auditorium. This acreage is conservatively estimated by realty evaluators as being worth $37,500 per acre, bringing the total additional valuation to the city of over Half a Million Dollars.

In addition to supplying clean water for the lake and thus eliminating danger of stagnation, and in addition to this creation of new park land, this plan would carry out the project of teaching our children to swim. Sand for lake heaches could be brought in at a minimum cost, and bathing houses of an architecture blending with the lake parking constructed for the convenience of all our public. The lake could then be used for international swimming contests and aquatic events for which our citizens must now avail themselves of the facilities of adjacent cities, spending their money in such localities when it should be spent in Oakland. That such a swim- ming facility would be appreciated even by those people who have swimming facilities directly on San Francisco Bay, is clearly indicated by the fact that government tests of the temperature of Lake Merritt water show it to have an average annual tem- perature some 12 degrees warmer than the waters of the Bay.

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

G SUNDERLAND STUDIOS

As it will appear upon completion in October, 1930, the Ninth Avenue Pier in Brooklyn Basin is pictured here. At the rear of this terminal are three warehouse sites, suitable for industries requiring immediate accessibility to interchange facilities.

Great Advertising Value

Another advantage would be the lake's greater value in the making of motion pictures. Some years ago two Hollywood firms used the lake for water scenes in a picture of college life, but the bathers were so fouled with the impure waters that they have not returned. This situation has been largely remedied, but still needs improvement. With clear water for. such use Lake Merritt scenes would be broadcast to all the world.

Another point of inestimable value would be that with fresh salt water con- tinually flowing down the lake and out into the Estuary, there would be developed a fishing ground of great recreational value. At the time ] first gave publicity to this plan, I had an offer from a man in Pittsburg, Contra Costa County, to supply at least one ton of live striped bass for the lake each month. The State Fish and Game Commission would also co-operate in keeping the lake stocked with the fish. Not only our adult sportsmen would be supplied with sport without leaving the confines of Oakland, but our school boys and girls could also thus be taught, not only swim- ming, but the essentials of sportsmanship as pertaining to fish and game. Added thousands to the wild fowl now wintering on the lake would also be attracted by the clear water.

In addition to the pleasures added for Oakland people, Lake Merritt beautification and its use for aquatic sports and fishing would be of incalculable value from the advertising standpoint. Auother factor lowering the actual taxpayers' cost of such a system, would be the reduction of insurance rates following the completion of the high pressure salt water system with its unlimited supply and the higher value of salt water for fire fighting purposes.

Municipal Band

As an adjunct of the Park Department, the Oakland Municipal Band gives most excellent service to the people of our city. Every Sunday during the late spring, summer and early fall months this fine musical organization, under the efficient and genial directorsbip of Captain Herman Trutner, Jr., gives pleasure to many thousands. Captain Trutner is an accomplished musician who can handle practically every

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

instrument in the band himself. He was for many years bandmaster of the 13th Infantry Band, as was his father before him.

To make enjoyment of the Municipal Band as widespread as possible throughout the city, the Park Department is experimenting with radio broadcasting devices. The plan, if workable and not too costly, is to place amplifiers not only in Lakeside Park itself, but in other city parks spotted in appropriate and accessible locations. Were sufficient funds available I would like to see several bands subsidized by the city- but under present circumstances broadcasting from the one band must serve the purpose, and will give music at a tenth the cost.

In my opinion the Municipal Band is so worthy and popular an Oakland institu- tion that its concerts should continue throughout the year. Oakland's climate is such that there are few Sundays when outdoor concerts cannot be enjoyed. During the few rainy Sundays, however, concerts could be given in the Oakland Municipal Auditorium arena, seating 9,000 persons. I would recommend that sufficient funds be placed in the Park Department budget in the coming year to allow band concerts every week without exception.

RECREATION DEPARTMENT

The City of Oakland can be proud of another most successful year in the work carried on by the Oakland Recreation Department under the administration of the Playground Board and the efficient direction of its superintendent, R. W. Robertson. Not only has the routine work of the department gone splendidly but many major improvements of permanent nature have been effected. This good work is all the more remarkable inasmuch as the Playground Department has been operating under a comparatively lean budget. Two new members on the Board itself have been appointed to fill vacancies, namely, Mr. George Janssen, well known East Oakland merchant, and Mr. Harold Paige, prominent Oakland businessman.

Additions and Improvements

Among the major improvements completed by the Recreation Department during 1929 are the following:

General

1, Installed 12 horseshoe courts and a "jungle-gymnasium" at Mosswood Park.

2. Laid 15,000 square feet of oil surface at Poplar Street playground.

3. Laid 500 feet of sidewalk at Poplar Street.

4. Remodeled and painted field houses at deFremery Park.

5. Painted and redecorated rooms at deFremery, Alexander and New Cen- tury Community Centers.

6. Repainted all playground equipment and signs.

7. Installed new hardwood floors.

8. Installed new handball courts.

9. Fencing at several playgrounds.

Golf Course

1. Two new greens and one new seeded fairway.

2. Pipe golf-bag racks and new sand holders installed at each tee.

3. Installed 11/8 miles of 6-and 8-inch pipe for the watering system.

4. Planted additional trees and shrubs.

5. Built new concession stand.

6. Remodeled showers and lavatories and installed new hardwood floors in lohby.

Boat House

1. Neon sign, "Boating," and chain of lights installed.

2. Life preservers placed on all launches.

3. Rowboats and canoes repaired and painted.

Camps

1. Built new fireplaces and chimneys.

2. Erected 41 new tent platforms.

3. Graded and leveled around buildings and improved pathways and roads.

4. Purchased 26 new tents.

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Clear proof of the value of this department's activities and facilities to the com- munity lies in the comparative analysis of 1927-1928 and 1928-1929 figures showing playground attendance and gross income from various facilities:

1927-1928

1928-1929

Increase

Playgrounds attendance

1,790,167

1,954,296

164,129

Lake Merritt attendance

86,000

92,280

6,280

Chabot Golf Course attendance.

54,000

65,043

11,043

Mountain Camps attendance

1,240

1,584

344

Gross income from golf, camps, and boats.

$71,000

$77,000

$6,000

Mountain Camps

In connection with our municipal mountain camps I will again urge the necessity of acquiring at least one similar facility closer to the city. Several locations are available in the Santa Cruz Mountains, in Sonoma and Marin Counties, and on the coast. These camps could be open practically all the year, transportation would be cheaper to them, and working members of households could visit camping families during week-ends. If land could not be had through donation by public-spirited citizens, and purchase would therefore be necessary, I am sure that the people of this city would recognize the situa- tion and willingly vote bonds to defray the initial cost. Thereafter, following the suc- cess of our two Sierra camps, they would more than pay for themselves.

Each year shows an increase in the popularity of our municipal vacation camps. Last season the camper days at the Oakland, Feather River and Tuolumne Camps totaled 17,567 camper days in comparison with the 1928 total of 15,511 camper days-an increase of 13 per cent.

Kamp Kidd for boys and Camp Sierra, our girls' camp, were under the direction and guidance of trained leaders and counselors, and provided for many of our boys and girls a wonderful onting and educational vacation in the High Sierras. Camp Chabot, for girls, located on the golf course property, provided a week of activity in the open for hundreds of our playground girls, at the cost of $5.00 per week. This camp was completely reno- vated and was filled to capacity during the entire school vacation.

The Annual Christmas Pageant and May Day Festivals, given in co-operation with the Oakland Public Schools, were outstanding in their success. Twenty-five hundred children participated in the two performances, which were attended by many thousands of spectators.

LIBRARY DEPARTMENT

Expansion is Mandatory

The Oakland Free Library is in dire need of an extensive building program. The main library building, a gift of the late Andrew Carnegie, was constructed in 1902, when the population of the City of Oakland was only 60,000. Today the 400,000 people of this city demand bigger and more conveniently located facilities.

Under the most able direction of the Board of Directors of the Oakland Free Library system, plans are being worked out along these lines. Tentatively they call for a build- ing program that will allow of a centrally located administration building and yet give every section of the city its own local library structure. These buildings will house not only regular library facilities, but will each have an auditorium for local community music festivals, amateur theatricals, debates, and so on, and will, furthermore, lend themselves to the exhibition of unit collections circulated throughout the branch system by the Oakland Public Museum. Each building will be so constructed as to allow addi- tions that will further tend to beautify the original structure, and each also will be beautifully parked.

The members of the Library Board are appointees of the Mayor, and it is my inten- tion in the near future to place before the public the opportunity of voting an issue of bonds to carry on this needed expansion. The next year or two, also, will probably see

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

a continuation, though a diminishing one, of the nation-wide unemployment situation- and public construction of this kind will employ thousands.

I am certain that the people of Oakland would back such a bond issne for the free library practically unanimously. The demand for hooks is daily increasing. Due to traffic conditions parents do not care to have their children go far to reach the free library service. It is the duty of the city, and I am confident the people will concur with my belief, that this most important facility for education and recreation should he ex- panded and brought within the reach of all.

At the close of 1929 over 65,000 men, women and children of Oakland held library cards-an increase of 4,000 cardholders over the year before. At the same time the hook circulation gain over the year before was something like 250,000 volumes. This will indicate something of how present library facilities are crowded and how necessary is the expansion planned.

C. W. Gibson Gives Buildings and Books

During the year five new hranch libraries were opened by the board. Two of these, the Gibson Branch, in the Columbia Park district, and the Montclair Branch, are gifts of C. W. Gibson of Rockridge and of the Homes and Children's Alliance, a philanthropic organization founded by Mr. Gibson. The Montclair Branch is of the so-called "neigh- borhood type" of structure, and a beautiful addition to the district. Other branches established are the Lockwood, Lakeview, and the Telegrove the latter on Grove near Thirty-fourth Street.

I wish to take this opportunity of conveying the city's thanks to Mr. Gibson. It is a joy to know that Oakland has such a thoughtful and public-spirited citizen, and a pleasure to have this opportunity of making public acknowledgment of his gifts to the city in which he has his home.

To those members of the Library Board retired in the past year, Mr. William Eggleston and Mrs. Myrtle Fieberling, who for long have given their services gratis to aid in the administration of this work, I wish, on behalf of the city, to give my thanks. To the new board members, Mrs. Virginia E. Brown and Dr. W. J. McCracken, whom I appointed to fill vacancies occurring during the year, let me give the city's welcome. I am happy to state that the board of today is a most harmonious unit, public spirited, efficient and industrious. It is developing the plans, above noted, for library building expansion, and I am sure the public will, within a year or so, give the entire group a vote of confidence and appreciation.

LEGAL DEPARTMENT

Cases Coneluded in 1929

The people of Oakland are to be congratulated on the thorough and efficient manner in which the Legal Department, under the leadership of City Attorney Preston Higgins, is caring for the city's interests. The city in the past year has participated in 41 impor- tant litigations, emerging successfully in all hut one case in which, however, a settle- ment not entirely unsatisfactory to the city has been recommended. I am happy to state, too, that whereas, two years ago, there were 42 cases pending, with a court age ranging from one to five years, none of the present pending litigation is over six months old except where technical defense on the part of opposition has made this circumstance.

The year of 1929 was one of the busiest years in the history of the City Attorney's office. In addition to the increased requirements occasioned by the growth of the city, the year was marked by many important rate hearings, particularly that of the tele- phone rates. The high post-war costs which formed a basis of valuation and rates have been gradually settling, to the end that a readjustment has become necessary. It has ever been my contention, and it is that of the City Attorney's office also, that the move- ment in utility rates should be downward, hut we have serious difficulties convincing the State Railroad Commission on this economic truth,

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Montclair Branch of Oakland Library System, donated by C. W. Gibson of Oakland through Homes and Children's Alliance, a philanthropie organization founded in this city by him.

The outstanding case of the year was that brought abont by the application of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission from the State Railroad Com- mission to raise its rates. Had the original application been granted, the increased income of the East Bay Exchange would have amounted to approximately Two Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars. The Legal Department of the East Bay, under the leadership of City Attorney Higgins of our city, and with rate experts brought from the East, fought the matter before the Commission, with the result that the increase finally granted approximated Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars per annum. The Legal Department still believes the rates authorized to be excessive and the decision to be in error in several particulars, but a petition for rehearing was arbitrarily denied by the Commission and an appeal filed with the State Supreme Court met the same treatment.

At this point again, therefore, I wish to emphasize the need for a change in the matter of public utility control. I am confident that the feeling of the people of the State of California has been crystalized, through decisions of the Railroad Commission that practically without exception have been adverse to the people, into a belief that the Commission itself should be abolished. This for many years has been my own belief. The Railroad Commission, as its decisions indicate, has apparently not represented the people. I am convinced that its powers should go back to the people, either directly, through the Commission's entire abolition, or by making the members of the body elective officers, and not appointive.

Cases Pending

The telephone rate case, as noted above, is therefore concluded, and not entirely to the people's advantage. Other utility cases pending and likewise of vital importance are:

First: The city has filed suit against the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Com- pany, praying judgment for approximately Fifty-seven Thousand Dollars, plus interest, representing amounts due the city as franchise taxes for a four-year period ending June 30, 1929.

Second: The case of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company "natural gas rates," in which the Legal Department is appearing before the Railroad Commission to secure rates favorable to the people.

Third: The electric rates of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company and of the Great Western Power Company, in which the city is demanding a decrease in charges.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

Through the Legal Department's efforts a reduction of approximately 8 per cent on resi- dence charges has already been authorized, but it is contended that still further reduc- tion should be made.

Fourth: The case emanating from the proposed consolidation of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the Great Western Power Company. The Great Western Power Company now pays approximately Twenty Thousand Dollars per year as franchise taxes to the city. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company, due to technicalities not necessary to discuss here, pays no such tax. City Attorney Higgins is taking the matter before the Railroad Commission in order to insure the city against loss of franchise taxes by the consolidation proposed.

Some other cases successfully contested by the City of Oakland were two con- demnation proceedings, one adding additional acreage to Sequoia Park and the other bringing to the city the right of way for Hegenberger Road, the new highway saving twenty minutes between the heart of the city and the Municipal Airport. Another case, condemnation pending, is that of the City of Oakland against the Japanese-American Association in the matter of land lying south of the Municipal Auditorium. Other im- portant cases include that of Jordan vs. Oakland, wherein private citizens are attacking the validity of the Grand Avenue zoning ordinance, and the Bond Premium case, the decision of which will indicate whether the premiums paid above the par value of harbor bonds go into the city general fund, for the purpose of bond redemption, or go with the bond money itself for purposes of harbor construction.

Rate Department Vital

Due to the experience in the above Public Utility cases the City Attorney is con- vinced that there is need for establishing within the Legal Department of the city a Rate Department, to deal solely with Public Utility cases. In this I fully concur. Public Utility rates vitally affect every man, woman and child, every home, business, and every industry in the City of Oakland. The legal care of utilities and their rates demands full time work by very competent legal specialists. I would urge that in the budget of 1930-1931 sufficient moneys he appropriated to the Legal Department for the creation of such a department. The salary would be saved many times over in the course of a single year.

Legal Counsel for All Boards

With the increased business of the Park Board, Library Board, Playground Board, Civil Service Board, their need for legal counsel becomes daily a growing necessity. Under the Park and Playground Departments there is ever present the necessity of insuring the city against personal damages. With the expansion of these two depart- ments in the way of land acquisition and building construction-this also pertaining to the Library Department-need for legal counsel is mandatory. Similarly with the Civil Service Department, which has to do with age requirements and anticipated pension systems.

For these boards, therefore, I urge the appointment of a legal counsel. Such an official could, of course, be a deputy under the City Attorney, but delegated specifically for the task of caring for the legal affairs of the above-named departments. He should be available for all board meetings and should make himself thoroughly conversant with the activities of each board at all times.

STATE BUILDING FOR OAKLAND

Legislative Counsel Does Effective Work

For the last meeting of the State Legislature the City Council, at my request, created the position in the Legal Department of Legislative Counsel for the City of Oakland. A well-known attorney received the appointment and attended Legislature in the city's behalf. Among other duties he was given that of gaining an appropriation for the purpose of constructing a State Building in Oakland. Such a building, built and

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Largest passenger airplanes in America are the F-32 Fokker transports operated between Oakland and Los Angeles by Western Air Express.

maintained from State funds, would cost the taxpayers of Oakland nothing, yet grant them an immediate service long needed and this city's growing due. Such a structure would house such services as the local State Motor Vehicle Department, local officials of the State Labor Compensation Board, allow space for a State exhibit room, and offer quarters in which could be held meetings of the State Railroad Commission, Board of Equalization, and other State commissions or officials whose dnties require local meet- ing and discussion forums. Oakland offers splendid sites for such a building, and present state business in this community fully warrants the expenditure it wonld necessitate. Los Angeles and San Francisco both have such institutions. Oakland, third largest city in California, and declared by students to offer every indication of being the future great city of the Pacific Coast, should be granted similar advantages.

The Legislative Counsel put the matter in this light before state officials. It was agreed finally that a quarter of a million dollars would be set aside at the time of the meeting of the next State Legislature for such a building. However, state funds for such a construction are only available, under the law, when the land on which the building is to be constructed is owned by the State or held on at least a fifty-year lease. The present city charter of Oakland allows only a 25-year lease of city-owned property. In the near future, therefore, the charter should be amended, allowing the city to lease municipally owned land to the Federal Government, state and/or county on a 50-year basis. It is my intention in the fall elections of 1930 to place such a charter amendment, among others, before the people.

STREET DEPARTMENT

General Operation

Still operating under the reduced budget first effected in the year of 1927, the Street Department, so far as its internal operation is concerned, is still operating effectively. The 1926-1927 budget called for an expenditure of $854,000 for maintenance and repair of streets. In 1927-1928 this snm was redneed to $570,000; and in the fiscal year passed, although raised to $625,000, was still $229,000 under that of 1926-1927. I am convinced that this department, through economies in personnel and through efficiency measures

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Polk's Oakland (California) city directory, 1930, Part 4

Author: R.L. Polk & Co Publication date: 1928 Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : R.L. Polk & Co. Number of Pages: 1624

Author: R.L. Polk & Co
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : R.L. Polk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1624