USA > California > San Diego County > San Diego county, California; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 30
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Of all the state normal schools there is none more eligible than is the local school to a permanent place in this development of professional training of teachers. It has a splendid equipment, in structures not surpassed among the public buildings of the state. It has a faculty of trained teachers sufficiently large to give individual attention to each of the members of a student body, not too large to admit of the personal touch; it has the stimulus furnished by every-day contacts with a splendid city school system, and it has the supreme advantage of climatic conditions which make possible steady, purposeful, even strenuous work, throughout the year, a climate affording working conditions stimulating to strenuous endeavor, but free from the really dangerous handicaps inevitable in less favored environment.
4 - D
SAN DIEGO FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
SCENE IN MISSION CLIFF GARDEN. SAN DIEGO
CHAPTER XXX
SAN DIEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Mrs. H. P. Davidson of the Carnegie Free Public Library began advertising in October, 1912, the advantages and service of the library in the papers and street cars and in the latter appeared cards reading: "San Diego free public library, E street, between Eighth and Ninth. Reading rooms and art gallery. Visitors may become patrons under the same conditions as residents. Hours, 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. Sundays, 2 to 5 p. m." And he who lingered to scan the elec- tric revolving advertiser, which at the city's busiest corner so attractively called attention to numerous advantages not to be neglected, would have recognized a copy of the same announcement.
This concrete expression will be helpful not only to new residents and visitors but may attract the attention of another class who in their busy lives have had a vague idea that there was somewhere in town a public library.
It is probably to this very class who entertain a misconception of the func- tions of the public library of today that it can be of the most advantage. When these busy people who are forging ahead, doing things at the work bench, the wheel or the desk, come to realize that by applying to the public library they can have the aid of authoritative writers, and perhaps the very latest word on their mechanical problems, the work will take on a new interest and its develop- ment forestall time.
The demands on the resources of the present day public library cover a range as wide as human interest. On some days it may be from the religion of the Egyptians to up-to-date plumbing, from statecraft to bungalow plans, from the nebular hypothesis to a name for the baby. The answer may come from a book, a magazine, a pamphlet or a newspaper. And, when necessary, material is procured through the inter-library loan system. In the past year the San Diego library has had for special work the loan of books from the Los Angeles Public Library, the California State Library, the California State University and the Congressional Library. When an extensive list is required, even if the material is practically at hand, the result is usually more satisfying if a few hours' notice can be given.
The San Diego Public Library was organized in 1882. The first board of trustees consisted of George W. Marston, George N. Hitchcock, Dr. R. M. Powers, E. W. Hendrick, and Bryant Howard. For the first five years, while the 'board with limited resources was slowly acquiring the nucleus of the present library, the service was principally that of a reading room, in charge of a curator who also served as janitor.
243
244
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
For the first year the work was carried on in rooms of the second floor of the Commercial Bank and then was moved to the upper floor of the present city hall building, as the bank of that name occupied the first floor. Rooms in this building were occupied for ten years. The next move was to the second floor of the St. James, at the northwest corner of Seventh and F streets. After oc- cupying these rooms five years a move was made to the fifth floor of the Keating block, now the McNeece block, northwest corner of Fifth and F streets, the en- tire fifth floor being occupied. At the expiration of the five year lease in the Keating block the present library building was ready for occupancy.
Although this building was not completed until the spring of 1902, the gift to San Diego was the first of its kind made by Andrew Carnegie on the Pacific coast. The building at Oakland was opened somewhat earlier than this, as, through failure of agreement on the matter of site, the construction of the San Diego building was delayed nearly three years.
This building has been occupied for ten years, and as to its interior appear- ance will compare favorably with most private houses in use for that length of time.
While the proper housing of books and efficient service in handing out due supply for information desired are important and practical general features of library administration, there are other considerations of importance to a large class of readers-that class which is made up of persons in middle life, and sometimes past, who are really having their first intellectual awakening. Not that they did not dole out the required number of years in the schools, but it was perhaps with a mind practically inert, so that now with the broadened vision of today they are actually beginning to live intellectually.
The library contains forty thousand volumes. The home circulation averages about five hundred a day. With the exception of teachers, but one book is issued on a card. The attendance is upwards of one thousand one hundred a day, the greater part of whom read or do research work in the reading rooms.
It is to be hoped that the city administration will see that in the coming years the library department receives an appropriation for maintenance con- sistent with its dignity and its importance to the city.
CHAPTER XXXI
POSTOFFICES AND POSTMASTERS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
In the year 1850 the United States postoffice was established at Old San Diego, and Richard Rust was appointed to preside over it. He was succeeded the following year by Henry D. Couts. George Lyons was the incumbent in 1853, Richard Rust in 1856, and George Lyons in 1857. W. B. Couts was the postmaster in 1858, and Joshua Sloane the following year. D. A. Hollister was at the head of this office in 1865-6-7, when he was succeeded by Thomas H. Bush. Bush's successor was Louis Rose, who served ten years, resigning in 1883. His successor was Paul Connors.
The postoffice at South San Diego, now the city of San Diego, was established April 8, 1869. Dr. Jacob Allen was the first incumbent, having received his commission on April 8th of that year. Dr. Allen received and distributed the mail from his drug store. Freeman Gates was appointed postmaster December 23, 1869, and removed the office to the Dunham building on Fifth street, between F and G. Under his incumbency, South San Diego was made a money order office. Columbus Dunham succeeded Gates, his commission having been dated April 28, 1870. Mr. Dunham served as postmaster until his death, March 18, 1876. Under his administration, on April 14, 1871, the name of the office was changed to San Diego. Dunham's successors have been as follows:
Daniel Choate, March 27, 1876; H. H. Burton, February 25, 1881; George D. Copeland, May 23, 1881; Gustav W. Jorres, October 12, 1885; Allen D. Norman, November 10, 1887; H. M. Kutchin, January 27, 1890; Richard V. Dodge, February 16, 1894; Moses A. Luce, February 1I, 1898; John N. New- kirk, February 28, 1902; Charles H. Bartholomew, February 18, 1908. In March, 1913, the office was moved into the new Federal building occupying the block bounded by State, Union, F and G streets, and fronting on F.
CHULA VISTA
Office established July 28, 1890, Sarah B. Fleming, postmistress; C. D. Cal- kins, March 18, 1891; S. L. Merstetter, January 12, 1897; Weiley Perry, June 23, 1897; E. W. Dyer, January 7, 1905; Carl S. Kennedy, November 30, 1907; William B. Farrow, November 18, 1910.
CORONADO
Office established February 8, 1887, Norbert Moser, postmaster ; J. D. Brown- lee, August 20, 1887; Henry F. Prieu, January 5, 1888; James L. Dryden,
245
246
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
May 14, 1889; H. G. Gwyn, March 7, 1894; Elizabeth S. Newcomb, March 22, 1898; Adaline Bailhache, June 14, 1905; the office was discontinued De- cember 31, 19II.
EL CAJON
Office established June 6, 1878; Amaziah L. Knox, postmaster ; E. E. Burgess, December 15, 1888; A. J. Derbyshire, July 30, 1890; E. E. Burgess, March 14, 1891; John H. Dodson, March 6, 1895; John G. Burgess, March 2, 1899; William Stell, February 23, 1906.
APEX, NOW ESCONDIDO
Office established February 17, 1881, Charles A. McDougall, postmaster ; Thomas W. Adams, June 28, 1883, under whose administration the name of the office was changed from Apex to Escondido; Thomas W. Adams, April 24, 1884; N. C. Whims, October 24, 1887; Ebin T. Case, May 15, 1888; Estella Bettens, February 20, 1889; N. C. Whims, March 26, 1889; B. F. Griffin, March 7, 1894; John N. Turrentine, March 16, 1898; W. B. McCorkle, May 18, 1910.
FALLBROOK
Office established June 28, 1878, Charles V. Riche, postmaster. The office was discontinued March 5, 1888, but was reestablished May 13, 1889, with E. J. Johnson as postmaster ; George A. Scott, May 13, 1892; Orin Rice, November 29, 1893; Robert Cromwell, January 13, 1898; Bert Woodbury, September 29, 1910.
LA JOLLA
Office established August 17, 1894, Charles A. Ritchie, postmaster; Charles A. Hubert, April 20, 1895; Charles S. Dearborn, October 2, 1895; William F. Ludington, October 28, 1899; L. O. Glover, March 16, 1904; Conrad Solem, June 19, 1905.
LA MESA
Office established June 17, 1891, A. W. Gray, postmaster; Rocena Youngs, June 22, 1892; Rocena Agnew, March 1, 1894; S. J. Agnew, January 26, 1898; E. W. Strachan, November 15, 1899; George H. McMillan, April 6, 1901 ; Lincoln McMillan, July 13, 1905; Frederic Rapson, August 16, 1905; S. G. Pennoyer, July 31, 1906; R. L. Verlaque, April 29, 1907; Richard Smith, June 6, 1908; Lorne J. Palmateer, December 29, 1909; Robert K. Haines, August 23, 1912.
NATIONAL CITY
Office established December 29, 1869, Danford B. Carpenter, postmaster ; George L. Kimball, March 14, 1870; L. W. Dimond, January 23, 1874; George H. Parsons, January 18, 1877; Lynn Boyd, July 23, 1886; Ellis Pattee, June 11, 1889; O. H. Noyes, December 23, 1893; Samuel S. Johnston, April 30, 1898.
.
247
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
OCEANSIDE
Office established May 24, 1883, Andrew J. Myers, postmaster; John H. McNeil, December 8, 1884; John McCullough, November 24, 1885; George W. Groves, May 3, 1886; Samuel Carter, August 16, 1887; H. K. Weitzel, No- vember 20, 1888; John Mitchell, April 16, 1889; J. L. Nugent, August 8, 1890; H. K. Weitzel, August 17, 1894; John M. Jolley, July 12, 1898.
NEW POSTOFFICE BUILDING
The new postoffice building is three stories in height with basement and attic, occupying the block bounded by State, Union, F and G streets. The main front on F street is 174 feet with a depth of 95 feet. The contract price is $190,000 and the available appropriation was $230,000. The first appropriation was $150,000, which was later increased by $80,000. This, however, does not include the site, which was originally owned by the war department and exchanged for other real estate in San Diego with the treasury department. Title was acquired by the war department years ago in the early history of San Diego.
In keeping with the general style of Mission architecture, so popular in California, this idea has been followed out in the construction of San Diego's federal building. The exterior of the building is finished in light colored material. The roof is of tile, and the towers in the main are made to resemble those to be found on the old Franciscan missions. The colonnade on F street front extends through the two stories, giving the idea of unity to the general design. Climatic conditions were not lost sight of in planning the structure. The windows are large and so arranged that the entire space may be opened if so desired. There are numerous other openings in the building for fresh air, which in this climate may be admitted at all seasons of the year at natural temperature.
On the first floor, the public lobby at once arrests attention, and on account of its beauty of architectural design compels admiration. It is arranged to pre- sent rather a monumental effect. The floor is of terrazo with marble borders. A corridor runs the whole length of the building's front, about 171 feet, and parallel to the main front. Along its sides are ranged handsome marble pilasters, and there is an ornamental coffered ceiling, the panels of which, in high relief, are of plaster. This lobby is very beautiful, simple rather than ornate, and striking, more because of the materials used and the workmanship than because of an excess of detail. There will be specially designed standing desks for the use of the public, of ornamental wrought iron work with plate glass tops. On this floor is the big work room of the postoffice, besides rooms for the post- master, assistant postmaster, money order and registry divisions, vaults and toilet conveniences.
The main staircase rises from the west end of the lobby. It is constructed of marble and wrought iron. The rails of ornamental wrought iron. The stair- way extends from the first to the third floors. There is an elevator of the latest and most approved design at this end of the lobby, and the grille work in con- nection with it is artistic and harmonious with the general design. The deliv- ery windows and boxes fit into the harmony of the whole plan and are ornamental and pleasing in appearance.
248
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
On the second floor the public part is finished in style similar to that of the lobby. The court room is twenty feet to the ceiling, with impressive decoration and ornamentation.
Marble pilasters support an ornamental entablature surmounted by a heav- ily paneled ceiling of plaster. Hardwood was used for the floors and the finish. There are bronze wall grilles, where grilles are required, as over ventilators or radiators. The upper portion of the walls, above the wainscoting, is paneled in plaster. Especial attention was given to designing the judge's bench, which is in keeping with the design of the room as a whole.
The suite of rooms assigned to the judge, connected with the court room by a private door opening close to the bench, include an anteroom, library and private rooms, with a private bath attached. Rooms for the district attorney, male and female witnesses, etc., occupy the remainder of the floor.
Offices are provided on the third floor for various federal officials. Rooms are set apart for the local weather bureau officials, for the civil service people, for the collector of customs and other customs officials, and for the local repre- sentative of the bureau of forestry.
In the basement, which is well finished in every respect, space is set aside for the appraiser's store, for postoffice storage and the boiler room. There is a commodious "swing room" for the use of carriers when they are off duty, and all necessary conveniences will be provided in connection with it. The postoffice inspector has quarters on the second floor, as has also the employes of the bureau of animal industry, the internal revenue service and the immigration service.
San Diego has a greater number of federal departments represented than the average city and in view of this fact, provisions have been made in the new building for office room. These officers, formerly scattered about the city, have moved into their new quarters, thus making it much more convenient for the public to transact business. They include the postoffices, customs office, immi- gration, weather bureau, animal industry, United States courts, forestry, inter- nal revenue, rooms for the United States marshal and the local board of civil service examiners, postoffice inspector, special agents of the internal revenue service and the public health and marine hospital service.
CHAPTER XXXII
SAN DIEGO CUSTOM HOUSE
For the year 1912 the San Diego custom house showed a series of exceedingly satisfactory figures, not only as to the amount of business done during the last six months of the year, but also as to the percentage of increase of those figures over the preceding year and over all previous years in the history of the custom house, with the possible exception of the year when the Kosmos liners from Europe and the California and Oriental liners from Japan, China and the Philip- pine Islands were calling at San Diego at the same time.
The cash receipts of the custom office show an increase of more than $30,000 over those of 1911, slightly larger than the increase of previous years, which was steady and consistent, so that compared with the receipts of four years ago those of 1912 show an increase of more than 134 per cent.
For the first time in some years the imports into San Diego district have passed the million mark, reaching $1,251,733, or close to $337,000 more than last year. This increase in importation has been almost entirely due to the coming of the tie steamers of the Santa Fe railroad from Japan, bringing rail- road ties and car lumber from that country.
Because of the troublesome conditions across the line in Mexico, there has been a falling off in business with that country which has been more than made up in the import column by the coming of the tie steamers; but in the export business there is no counteracting cause and, Mexico being the best, because the nearest customer, the figures show a decrease. With a settlement of troubles in Mexico there will without doubt come such a betterment of condi- tions that business will resume its natural course and the export figures to Mexico will return to between the $800,000 and the one million mark. This year they are down to $600,000.
The importation business of the year has been done with twenty-four differ- ent countries, and half that number have taken the exports.
During the year 1911 the San Diego custom house accepted entries of imports from twenty-two different countries. Very nearly the same countries were rep- resented in the list in 1912, but the imports from Japan were very much larger. The list for the two years follows:
19II
1912
Austria-Hungary
$ 6,810
$ 6,37 I
Belgium
6,791
392
France
6,893
8,151
Germany
181,892
134,587
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ยท
250
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
I9II
1912
Greece
.$
1,377
$ 9II
Italy
906
5,986
Netherlands
457
375
Norway
9,897
4,22I
Spain
19
1,260
Sweden
1,448
103
England
25.085
35,142
Scotland
958
2,845
Ireland
1,684
3,790
Canada
102,00I
77,815
Mexico
558,823
571,691
Cuba
2,169
3,810
British East India
805
76
Chinese Empire
340
Hong Kong
584
4
Panama
3,142
392,817
Siam
541
630
Fr. Oceanica
2,675
Turkey in Asia
303
Manila, P. I.
8
103
Total
$914.965
$1,251.733
Increase of 1912 over 1911, 37 per cent.
COMMODITIES IMPORTED
This twelve hundred thousand dollars' worth of merchandise passing through the custom house included the following :
Cattle
$ 121,029
Horses
II,270
Mules
3.784
Swine
12,542
Sheep
14,125
Products returned
141,759
Fish in oil
3,932
Fresh fish
4,950
Lobsters
14,573
Dried and smoked fish.
1,215
Guano
10,892
Sulphate of potash
63,982
Bran
4,842
Wheat
34,925
Corn
4,914
Barley
36,956
IO
Japan
Aden
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
251
Hay
$ 5,676
Wool
4,000
Honey
4,550
Silver coin
1,494
Silverware
976
Glassware
1,325
Flour
2,228
Dried currants
1,24I
Oil paintings and art goods.
3,203
Motor train
15,000
Sugar beets
5,214
Sugar beet seed
18,317
Cotton
12,253
Broom corn
5,214
Gold bullion
10,742
Malt liquors
6,628
Spirituous liquors
17,04I
Onyx
21,049
Beeswax
3,204
Coal
57,768
Coke
8,724
Household goods
24,178
Firewood
2,396
Coffee
7,212
Hides of cattle
4,343
Pig iron
1,290
Tobacco leaf
5,20I
Baskets
I,II4
Hats
1,569
White china
3,890
Decorated china
14,846 '
Drawn work
1,286
Enamelware
2,498
Linen
3,251
Toys
13,515
Wool blankets
3,432
Panoche
2,215
Iron drums
1,586
Fire brick and fire clay
1,967
Almonds
1,218
Olives and olive oil
3,569
Linoleum
3,394
Moving picture films
1,39I
Toilet preparations
1,77I
Dolls and parts thereof
18,113
Lumber
59.728
Railroad ties
333,787
Wool rugs.
1,52I
252
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Melons and other vegetables $ 4,575
Miscellaneous 135,340
Total
$1,251,733
While the imports that have passed through the port and been entered and liquidated at the custom house have increased in a very satisfactory manner- thirty-seven per cent. in a year-there is also a large and growing business which passes through the port but entries for which are made and liquidation completed through other custom houses, principally at Los Angeles. During the year just closing, the business has amounted to 80,105 packages, valued at $648,349, on which the estimated duty was $143.967.28, as follows :
Number Packages Value Estimated Duty
January
5,034
$ 26,247
$ 10,712.31
February
3,969
33,259
10,318.22
March
5,945
21,225
11, 159.66
April
3,392
28,851
8,609.81
May
17,866
103,642
15,744.51
June
12,086
25.735
7,133.14
July
5,935
15,316
4,033.72
August
6,925
80,732
26,071.21
September
1,483
76,831
5,897.85
October
9,863
112,723
28,859.46
November
3,273
91,970
8,244.86
December
4,334
31,818
7,128.53
Total
80,105
$649,349
$143,967.28
Several shipments of ore concentrates and of dried shrimps from Lower Cali- fornia went to San Francisco, but both of them are on the free list, so that while they increase the number of packages shipped under immediate transportation bonds, they cut but little figure in the column of estimated duty, so that practi- cally all of the $143,967.28 was collected at Los Angeles on these importations that were landed here. The cost of supervising this unloading of merchandise is paid out of the funds of the San Diego district. Nevertheless, the cost of collection in San Francisco has been gradually getting lower and last year dropped from .194 to .177, while the cost of collection in Los Angeles, where many of the ex- penses are paid by outside districts, increased last year from .065 to .072.
In 1911 the packages forwarded under immediate transportation entries num- bered forty-seven thousand and one and their value was $410,447, so that the figures of 1912 show an increase of considerably more than 50 per cent. for the year.
Naturally the exports of the year have gone largely to Mexico, as the north- ern portion of Lower California draws the principal portion of its supplies from this district, both overland across the line at Tia Juana, Campo and Calexico and by the two lines of steamers running to Ensenada.
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
253
Germany has, however, proved a good customer, as has France, England, Belgium and Holland, these European countries taking large quantities of dried fruit, nuts and honey. The exports for the year were as follows:
Agricultural Implements
$29,533
Cattle
55,625
Hogs
9,45I
Horses
28,480
Sheep
12,722
Mules
19,880
Other Animals
8,57I
Barley
936
Bread and Biscuit.
3,947
Oats
2,802
Oatmeal
276
Rice
4,265
Flour
I3,466
Feed
8,091
Cement
856
Chemicals
10,212
Coal
5,517
Coffee
5,472
Manufactures of Cotton
8,454
Eggs
7,52I
Explosives (mostly dynamite)
25,227
Cordage
3,169
Canned Salmon
1,27I
Apples (fresh and dried)
2,631
Dried Apricots
109,582
Dried Peaches
6,150
Prunes
5,319
Raisins
430
Nuts
50,778
Glass and Glassware.
2,989
Hay
8,148
Honey
48,887
Ice
2,868
Manufactures of Iron
83,878
Boots and Shoes
7,992
Harness
3,888
Lime
614
Tallow
10,152
Bacon
2,748
Ham
1,185
Lard
3,784
Lard Compounds
4,798
Sausage Casings
2,822
Canned Meats
4,868
254
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Butter
$ 2,913
Cheese
1,947
Condensed Milk
4,903
Pianos
1,065
Crude Oil
9,575
Illuminating Oil
5,889
Lubricating Oil
1,505
Residuum, including Tar
4,834
Paper Stock
1,950
Cotton Seed
470
Soap
2,085
Malt Liquors
5,426
Spirituous Liquors
5,252
Wine
3,735
Sugar
16,443
Candy
2,297
Beans and Dried Peas.
3,95I
Onions
938
Potatoes
7,898
Canned Vegetables
4,97I
Pickles
2,044
Lumber
45.325
Furniture
1,523
Miscellaneous
80,502
These exportations were divided among foreign countries as follows :
Belgium
$ 19,891
Denmark
1,145
France
56,161
England
30,13I
Germany
109,245
Italy
1,553
Mexico
600,27 I
Netherlands
28,832
Norway
3,228
Russia
443
Scotland
1,127
Sweden
669
$847,696
In the figures foregoing, domestic merchandise only is taken into considera- tion. During the year there passed through the district, nearly all being bound for Mexico, foreign merchandise to the value of $40,595. This was made up largely of tea, coffee, rice and liquors.
To this business should be added possibly the "in transit" business relative to merchandise coming from Mexico and being returned to Mexico without the payment of customs duties in this country. During the year this business
255
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
amounted to $102,273 and was made up quite largely of flour, wheat, barley, leather and empty bottles.
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