JANUARY

January 1, 1926, San Diego Union, 6:1-2. American Legion building at northwest corner of Plaza is being reconstructed for Legion activities and will contain one of the finest museums of World War I relics in the west.

January 1, 1926, San Diego Union, Water Section, 3:8. Splendid site afforded County Fair in Balboa Park.

January 1, 1926, San Diego Union, Water Section, 9:3-6. Collections of educational value in San Diego Museum.

January 1, 1926, San Diego Union, Education, 7:4-6. Comprehensive exhibits, outdoor nature studies feature Natural History Museum’s Work, by Clinton Abbott.

January 1, 1926, San Diego Union, Education, 8:1-2. San Diego’s distinctive architecture by Richard S. Requa.

January 1, 1926, San Diego Union, Recreation, 6:1-8. San Diego’s great park system gives chance for variety of recreational and cultural expression.

(Edited in part because of execrable writing.)

San Diego outranks most cities in the United States in area, only five of them including more land within their corporate limits, and it has taken advantage of this to set aside over two dozen parks covering a total of 2,600 acres with the largest, Balboa Park, occupying 1400 acres in the city’s center, thus making easily available to a great proportion of its citizenship an area of great beauty, providing a wide variety of recreation.

Many elements have contributed to make his great park a wonderland of beauty and usefulness, besides its size and location. Its topography, commanding viewpoints seamed by deep canyons, but all intriguing possibilities for artistic landscaping. The prevailing climatic conditions afford the utmost for garden treatment. Its great area has permitted abundant space for golfing, tennis, equestrianship, archery and practically every athletic feature, including a fine stadium that will seat 35,000 people. And last, but far from least, the international exposition which was held in San Diego in 1915 has left a superb and exquisite group of buildings in Spanish-type architecture which are now occupied by, and for, the various cultural activities of the community: the drama, music, art, museum and similar interests, each being splendidly housed within one of more of these beautiful buildings. The zoo, too, now the third largest in the United States, occupies several buildings and about one hundred and fifty acres of park land.

Any attempt to picture the charm of this great park, its buildings, its drives and walks, its gardens, shrubs or trees, or even to pick out its greatest features, would be futile in the extreme because of Balboa Park offers to each individual too wide an appeal and he must, of necessity, center his approbation on one or two details which, like as not, another overlooks entirely in his particular admiration of something else. Six hundred acres, intensively developed in landscaping and architecture, is more than one mind can encompass, even though visited regularly over a long period, for each day brings forth it quota of shrub or flower. Even the architect is contriving his frequent contribution through the courtesy and financial aid of an interested citizenship which is constantly adding to what park officials must do for the upkeep and improvement of this great park.

The main entrance into the park is by way of Laurel Street, which leads to Cabrillo Bridge, whose quarter-mile span connects the Exposition grounds with the western part of the park. From this bridge the view is one of the most delightful to be had in the city. At 112 feet straight below may be seen the lotus pond, where, in season, lotus and pond lilies spring in thousands, casting their reflection upon the quiet bosom of the pond.

To the north, bison and other ruminants are seen grazing in their paddocks at the Zoological garden; to the south are seen the downtown district, the bay, the Silver Strand of Coronado, and the still more distant Coronado Islands of Mexico.

Artists from the west and from the capitals of Europe have visited San Diego so that they might put on canvas the charm that has made this spot a lure to lovers of beauty. Many of these canvases have been admired in the galleries and salons of London, Paris and Rome.

Nowhere in this country has nature so favored the horticulturist, and the profusion of blooms never wanes. The flowers of spring and summer are crowded out by the no less prolific flowers of fall and winter. The procession is endless and is of infinite variety. Stately yuccas from the desert grow among foliage of tropical origin. Manas (?), that germinated beneath the snows of the far north, bind the tall trunks of pines. Hibiscus from the South Seas flaunt their radiance amid roses and lilies, set against a backdrop of graceful palms.

At the east end of the Bridge stands the Administration building. flanked by the majestic tower of the California State Building which houses the Scientific Library, while the Fine Arts Building, with its exhibition galleries and Academy of Fine Arts, faces the California State Building and with it forms a small plaza.

East of these and facing each other on either side of the Prado, or main street, are the Science of Man and Indian Arts Buildings, in which are shown the archaeological anthropological and Indian art exhibits of the San Diego Museum. The buildings form the western wall of the Plaza de Panama, a paved court, where outdoor dancing, fiestas and entertainments are sometimes held.

On the north end of the Plaza and facing the great outdoor organ about two blocks to the south is Balboa Park’s newest jewel, the recently completed Bridges’ Art Gallery. A liberal expenditure of money and of thought on the part of its donor has given San Diego an architectural masterpiece.

At the northwest corner of the Plaza, the American Legion is reconstructing the former Home Economy Building as a site for its activities and for a museum of World War relics.

The Natural History Museums has reserved the Foreign Arts Building, at the southwest corner of the Plaza, to house those exhibits that cannot be accommodated in the former Canadian Building, its present home.

South of the Plaza de Panama, flanked by its graceful peristyle and framing views of the Pacific Ocean, the great Spreckels Organ commemorates the love of John D. and Adolph B. Spreckels for their fellow citizens.

North of the Prado and east of the American Legion Building, a lagoon, with thousands of pond lilies and lotus blossoms, mirrors the lath dome of the Botanical Building, though which bamboo, some nearly 70 feet high, poke their heads. In this building and in its adjoining conservatory tropical plants, that would not thrive even in San Diego’s mild climate, are displayed. Rear exotic and delicate native plans grow here under perfect growing conditions.

The Domestic Art Building, one of the largest and handsomest of the Exposition group, is used for industrial and agricultural shows, the annual County Fair in the fall being the most important.

The San Diego Electric Railway received much favorable comment for its restoration of the colonnade forming the car station and east entrance to the Prado. This entrance building, through which about 90 percent of visitors by trolley enter the Prado, is now one of the most attractive features on the former Exposition grounds.

The Pepper Grove picnic grounds is a popular section of the park. Tables in shaded nooks, drinking fountains, playground equipment and other accessories attract many picnic parties to this spot. San Diego Girl Scouts occupy to buildings in the Pepper Grove, and their activities add to the spirit for which Balboa Park is noted.

The Zoological Society has restored three of the Exposition buildings for administrative, educational and exhibit purposes in connection with a 150-acre tract that they have transformer into an zoological garden. The Society maintains the largest collection of animals, birds and reptiles in the west.

San Diego Boy Scouts occupy a group of replicas of Indian community houses in the Painted Desert at north end of the former Exposition site. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company, who built the Painted Desert, donated the complex to the City of San Diego at the conclusion of the Exposition. The Boy Scouts were chosen as tenants after they promised to take care of buildings and grounds.

To the Board of Park Commissioners and to Park Superintendent John G. Morley is due the credit for handing an park project that includes features seldom found in the parks of other cities. They have promoted the development of the park and encouraged citizens to make the park a cultural center as well as a place for San Diegans and visitors to enjoy.

Because of the Park Board’s hospitable policies, many citizens have given time, energy and money to establish and develop cultural institutions in the park that afford pleasure to thousands of visitors.

January 1, 1926, San Diego Union, Recreation, 7:8. Art building newest jewel in the park.

January 1, 1926, San Diego Union, Classified, 20:1-7. Zoological gardens in picturesque stop of city’s great park.

January 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:3-4. Dr. Stewart paid tribute to John D. Spreckels at recital yesterday.

January 3, 1926, San Diego Union, 12:1-8, 13:1-2. Daniel Cleveland tells of troubles of early days in San Diego County.

January 3, 1926, San Diego Union, 16:6-7. R. A. Addison says San Diego Zoological Gardens will be finest in United States in another year.

January 3, 1926, San Diego Union, 17:2. Everyday at local zoo is fish day for elephant seals (illus.).

January 3, 1926, San Diego Union, Development, 7:1-8. Finished plan made by architect Requa from Miss Amy Lyon’s roughly-drawn suggestion in The Union’s small home plan competition.

January 8, 1926, San Diego Union, 2:3. Dr. H. M. Wegeforth refuses to get excited over Dr. W. H. Raymenton’s verbal attack upon him.

Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth, president of the San Diego Zoological Society, refuses to get excited over a verbal attack made upon him by Dr. W. H. Raymenton, director of education at the zoo.

Dr. Wegeforth declared last night that Reymenton’s declaration that "what the society needs is a president who will carry out the will of the directors," is entirely uncalled for.

"The board of directors is composed of prominent citizens," said Dr. Wegeforth, "who would not be dictated to even if I were inclined to try to dictate."

The annual election of the society is set for next Monday night and Dr. Wegeforth has mailed proxy blanks to the 405 members of the society. He is a candidate for re-election as president, and is not worrying over the result.

Dr. Raymenton started the fight on Dr. Wegeforth because he declares the O’Rourke Zoological Institute is not receiving enough funds for its operation from the zoo gate receipts and other receipts. It is his idea to incorporate the Institute and make it a separate institution from the zoo.

Dr. Wegeforth said last night that the progress made by the zoo is well known and that last year 250,000 persons visited the zoological gardens. He said that all moneys donated to the zoo are spent in improvements, such as are desired by the donors. He expressed the opinion that whatever dissension my have arisen in certain sources soon will be ironed out and the zoo will continue along its successful lines.

Raymenton’s assertion that the "zoo is a public property and not a one-man proposition," merely caused Dr. Wegeforth to smile.

President Wegeforth is given credit for having built up the zoo through years of hard work without any compensation whatever.

January 9, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:1. City Park Board enters Zoo fight; Attorney Higgins to investigate Commission’s jurisdiction, submit report.

The city park commission yesterday entered into the controversy now being waged in zoological circles, and set for City Attorney Higgins, in a effort to ascertain just what jurisdiction the commission has over the zoo.

The city attorney was accompanied to the commission’s rooms by Mayor Bacon. He declined to given an offhand opinion as to the commission’s authority in things zoological, but promised to furnish the commission with a written report within the next few days.

The commissioners said that they had been informed that several people had been bitten by an elephant seal at the zoo, and wanted to know of the commissioners could be held legally responsible for damages.

January 10, 1926, San Diego Union, 14:2-4. San Diego Zoo trains once vicious wolf to take leisurely strolls on end of leash.

January 10, 1926, San Diego Union, Development, 7:2-4. The Entrance Hall, by Richard S. Requa.

January 12, 1926, San Diego Union, 8:1. Dr. H. M. Wegeforth to head Zoological Society another year; name heads list of five directors when vote cast; report shows 365,043 persons visited park institution in twelve months.

Re-election of Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth, as president of the San Diego Zoological society, was made certain last evening when the annual election of members of the board of directors of the society was held at the zoo’s administration building. Dr. Wegeforth’s name led the list of the directors who were unanimously elected for the ensuing year. Dr. William H. Remington, the sixth nominee, having moved the closing of nominations before his own name was read.

The directors of the society for 1926 are: Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth, Patrick F. O’Rourke, Frank C. Spalding, A. T. Mercier and D. D. Wray.

The meeting was attended by about 25 members of the society, but a great proportion of the membership was represented by proxies. The election was without incident, and followed the reading of the reports submitted by Dr. Wegeforth and the heads of the various departments of the zoo.

In connection with these figures, Dr. Wegeforth said that a count of automobiles parked outside the zoo on weekdays during the year has shown that more than one half of all visitors to the grounds were from without the state.

Dr. Wegeforth also announced that the ground plans for the research building and animal hospital for which Miss Ellen B. Scripps has given $50,000, have been prepared and the preliminary details of the work of construction now are being worked out. This building is to be placed on a plot of mesa ground back of the California Building. The land was given to the Zoo by the Board of Park Commissioners.

Another feature of the report was the statement that more than 2,000 trees have been planted within the confines of the zoo during the last year. These trees are being planted under the supervision of John G. Morley, park superintendent, according to a definite plan of permanent improvements, so that within a few years the grounds will be among the most beautiful sections of the park.

The society last evening endorsed unanimously the action of the Board of Directors in naming several citizens of San Diego as benefactors and patrons of the society. Benefactors are those who have given $10,000 or more to the zoo, and those names last evening were John D. Spreckels, Mrs. Ellen B. Scripps, Patrick F. O’Rourke, Mrs. Patrick P. O’Rourke, Miss Anna Zimmerman. Patrons are those who have given $1,000 to the zoo, and those named last night were John Burnham and Ralph Granger.

The treasurer’s report showed that with construction now underway the zoo has expended at total of $350,000. The indebtedness of the society, which was $26,000 a year ago, has been reduced to $12,000.

Other reports submitted last evening were those of Dr. William H. Remington, director of education, and L. M. Klauber, curator of reptiles.

Following the election of offices, a resolution endorsing the work of Dr. Wegeforth was read from the floor and unanimously adopted by the members.

An announcement of the president, which came as a surprise during the meeting, was his publication of the fact that arrangements have been made to put two sightseeing buses at work in the zoo on a system of roads, which will take visitors to every part of the grounds. Accompanying the buses, will be guides, the entire innovation being designed to make at visit to the zoo an easy as well as a pleasant experience.

January 13, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:5. W. A. Hammon, head of Public Address Department, San Diego High School, told Kiwanis Club last night that San Diego State College should be located in the northeast corner of Balboa Park.

January 16, 1926, San Diego Union, 1:8, 2:5-6. Board of Park Commissioners votes to bar college from Balboa Park; teachers’ proposal to place new state institution there causes flare-up from prominent residents.

While members of the Board of Park Commissioners were engaged yesterday in drafting a resolution of unqualified opposition to further encroachment on park lands by institutions that are not essentially park features, a number of well-known citizens, all of whom have shown definite interest in Balboa Park and its increasing beauty and worth, were dictating interviews in which they expressed the same opinion as that carried in the Park Board resolution.

The resolution adopted by the Commissioners referred directly to the proposed plan of allotting a part of the park to the new state college and in passing it --- the Commissioners said that they believed they were expressing the views of a majority of the citizens of San Diego. These views, Commissioners declared were summed up in a statement that the people of San Diego wish to see the park remain solely a park and, as such, a magnet for the city’s many visitors and a continuing heritage of beauty for all who may call San Diego their home now and in the future.

The matter was brought before the Commissioners, by E. N. Jones, member of the Board.

"I have been reading where some high school teacher is proposing that a site in the park be given over for a new state college," he said. "I believe now is a good time to nix this plan in the bud and preserve the park for the people for all time."

Jones then offered the following resolution, which was unanimously carried:

"Whereas. The Board of Park Commissioners, having observed in The San Diego Union of January 15, 1916 that W. A. Haman, head of the public speaking department of the senior high school, advocates placing the new state college in Balboa Park; now, therefore be it

"Resolved. That the Board of Park Commissioners, believing that they represent the wish of the people of San Diego that park departments lands should be preserved for the use of the public, stands unqualifiedly opposed to any further encroachment upon park lands for institutions which are not essentially park features."

John Forward, Jr. president of the Board, spoke strongly against the move to cut another slice of the park. Several free sites have been offered for the state college, Forward said, and he expressed belief that some one of these offers be accepted rather than an attempt to take away some of the park.

W. Templeton Johnson, another member of the Board, same out strongly against the plan to put the college in the park.

"There must be a line drawn somewhere to stop encroachment on the park," he said. Johnson produced a plan of Central Park, New York, showing that if the authorities there has permitted it there would be more activities going on in that part than there would be space for. There is a similar danger confronting San Diego, he said.

The opinion of those interviewed by The Union during the day was as emphatic in its unanimous opposition to cutting further into the park. In every instance, those who stood unreservedly for the conservation of the park, expressed their high regard for the officials of the state college and declared that they believed the state college is destined to become on of the most important was well as one of the largest educational institutions in southern California.

The belief in the importance and ultimate size of the college was one of the chief reasons urged against it being placed in the park. It was pointed out repeatedly that while the placing of the first units of the proposed new college in the park would mean comparatively little, the demands of the institution as it expands will have to be met with increased allotments of park land.

But overshadowing even this reason was the universal belief that Balboa Park is a priceless heritage which should be preserved for the citizens of San Diego in all its present extent. Those interviewed stressed, in every case, that fact that Balboa Park is needed and that as the city grows it will be needed more. Its increasing beauty, its charm of hill and valley and level greensward, the opportunities it gives for seclusion from the noise and turmoil of the city, its ideal location --- all these thoughts were brought out by the citizens who were interviewed yesterday.

An interesting view of the situation and one which is valuable in that it was expressed by a visitor to San Diego, was that of W. B. George, a prominent Montana man, former state senator, and one of the builders of the fine city of Billings. George has fallen in love with San Diego, and his friends are expressing the hope that he will come here to stay permanently. In discussing Balboa Park, his words were those of a keen observer whose opinion came from experience.

"If I may be permitted, though not a resident of your city, to say a word on this question. I should like to," he said. "I have had some experience in laying out grounds for schools and normal schools and I am convinced that such an institution as San Diego State College will need, at least ultimately, about 80 acres of land, perhaps more. To take such a parcel our of the beautiful park which San Diego has would, in my judgment, injure the park.

"The college, if I may be allowed to say so, ought to go to some place where there is plenty of room for it now and for its natural expansion. It might well have acreage devoted to agriculture and the growing of fruits, particularly citrus fruits. Students at such institutions in Montana, Wisconsin and other states, have the opportunity to study those subjects and when they graduate they know a lot about their own states."

G. Aubrey Davidson, president of the Southern Trust and Commerce Bank, chairman of the Civic Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce; former president of the Panama-California Exposition, and member of the State College Committee was explicit in outlining his ideas concerning the preservation of the park.

"I am very much opposed," he said, "to giving away any more of Balboa Park. Although I am a member of the State College Committee, the advantages connected with putting the State College in the park must be presented to me with real reasons behind them before I will consider them. I feel that no civic proposal is so important as the preservation of the park in all its present extent, and that no matter in which the citizens of San Diego may give their attention is so vital as this."

George W. Marston, who has been one of the most active and devoted of San Diego citizens in preserving and increasing the beauty of the city and its surrounding country, and whose opinions are those of a settled and mature judgment in the matter of civic development, concentrated the thoughts of all who were interviewed in a statement which went at length into the whole problem. He said:

"The essential thing is the park, and the park means landscape scenery, and the affording of large spaces of ground for recreation, including facilities for golf, baseball, tennis and other sports which require acres of land.

"Now, while the park is large, we must remember that of its 1400 acres, a very great part consists of canyons. The encroachment of buildings upon the park will rapidly exhaust all its level land. Further than this, placing buildings upon the park land will eventually destroy its character as a park.

"We build parks to get away from the city, and in the case of Balboa Park, we, as citizens, should take a definite part in seeing that its natural beauty if conserved. It is said that we have much more land than we can take care of. My feeling in this is that there are some parts of Balboa Park which should be kept in their natural beauty.

"California will be so densely populated in the future that there will be little natural country left next the sea coast, and it is essential to have not long large cultivated areas but as much land as we may preserve in its natural state.

"I feel that the encroachments of buildings, such as those of the exposition and the proposed state college, detract not only from the beauty of the park but from the objects for which it was set aside and for which the majority of our citizens desire to keep it. I believe that these encroachments have gone as far as they ought to go, and that we should direct our efforts to conserve all the park for the future."

January 16, 1926, San Diego Union, 4:1. EDITORIAL: A Needless Generosity

We are not hostile to the enterprise of a new college --- quite the reverse. We are simply quite certain that there is no need for making a further inroad upon Balboa Park and that only an obvious and pressing need would excuse any such inroad.

January 16, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:5. Park overhead fund menaced by coin drain; Park Board President Forward says "cultural societies" needs mean increased tax split.

Declaring that the most serious problem confronting the park management is the maintenance of so-called "cultural" organizations that now have or are seeking city aid through park funds, the Board of Park Commissioners yesterday called a meeting of all these groups for next Friday, when an effort will be made to find a solution.

To provide these organizations with the aid they desire, and to keep up the work of maintaining and improving the park would require an increase from 16 cents to 25 cents on each $100 valuation in the city, President John Forward, Jr. said.

The groups mentioned during the discussion include the Natural History Museum, the San Diego Museum Association, the Fine Arts Society and the Zoo. The latter organization is not on the same status as the others because the people by their votes have officially approved a tax levy for carrying on the zoological exhibit.

Recent action of the City Council in placing the San Diego Museum Association under the Park Board, to be maintained partly out of park funds, brought up the discussion.

At present six our of the park’s 16-cent allowance go to the so-called cultural groups, and if all the organizations carry out their announced intention of seeking city aid, they will be taking 60 percent of the park funds, President Forward said.

"If we are to maintain all these auxiliaries, what will become of the park?" he asked. "The Art Gallery will take $30,000, the Museum $15,000, to Zoo $25,000, and the Natural History Museum will want $25,000. It is a most serious problem and one that we must face."

If the cultural groups are to be maintained with city aid, some provision for raising the necessary money must be made, the president continued. It will mean the cessation of much necessary maintenance and improvement work on the park proper if the money for the Museum, the Natural History Society, and the Fine Arts Gallery is taken from the park funds without providing the park additional money, he said.

Charter amendments providing for additional tax levies, as was done in the case of the Zoo, are seen as the only solution, but the exact method of procedure is expected to be worked out at the meeting next Friday, the commissioners said.

John Morley, park superintendent, said he has been unable to do much work that he would like to do because of the shortage of funds. He has had to lay off 10 men recently because of the shortage, he said.

During the meeting delegations from Golden Hill and La Jolla appeared and asked that the Park Commission do more improvement work in their territories.

January 17, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:4-6. Zoological garden animals furnish inspiration for members of San Diego colony of artists (illus.).

January 17, 1926, San Diego Union, 12:2-4. Scores oppose plan to encroach on Balboa Park for college site; quotations from Melville Klauber, Ernest E. White, Leroy A. Wright, Miss Alice Lee, W. D. Dorland, Milton F. Heller.

January 17, 1926, San Diego Union, Development, 4:1-3. The Living Room, by Richard S. Requa.

January 18, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:1-5. Through San Diego Zoo with its president as guide; financial report for 1925; total net worth, December 21, 1925, $271,664.91.

Putting in concise and interesting form the facts and figures which show the great part the San Diego Zoo is playing in affording pleasure and instruction to hundreds of thousands of people each year and the important factor it has become in advertising San Diego to the world, the heads of several departments of the San Diego Zoological Society, including President Harry W. Wegeforth, M. D., outlined the growth of the great zoo in Balboa Park in reports submitted at the annual meeting of members of the organization.

President Wegeforth’s report was given in the form of an address. It follows:

During the past year many improvements have been made in our zoological gardens. Our plans have gradually rounded out and what we intend to accomplish is beginning to approach completion.

The early part of the year, with money provided us by the city, we were able to construct a portion of our deer paddocks, as laid out by the landscape architect. These paddocks are 22 in number; well constructed and considered the finest in the United States for several reasons. The comfortable houses provided for the animals are so situated as to make it impossible for any one to strike or hammer on the walls and frighten the animals, which permits them to enjoy their food undisturbed. A beautiful eucalyptus grove provides shade as well as giving a natural background. The fences have been constructed with pipe posts; they and the wire are painted green, which makes them less visible from the distance. One of the main features of these corrals is the arrangement by which the doors of the houses can be closed by a series of pulleys when it is necessary, enabling the men to clean the paddocks while the animals are thus confined.

In the event it is desired to move an animal to the hospital, which is in the center of the main group of enclosures, it is only necessary to open the gates of each of the six enclosures forming a long lane leading to the main building, through which the deer may be driven, thus avoiding contact with other animals and eliminating the always dangerous methods of catching them with ropes or straps.

It was our desire to complete these paddocks this year, but owing to insufficient funds we were not able to finish the entire 40, although we have on hand sufficient wire and most of the posts. This year our budget provides for this deficiency, and the badly needed additional pens will be completed. It will then be possible to segregate the several species into individual enclosures, which it has been impossible to do under the present congested condition. This is desirable as it is very inadvisable to keep animals of different species in the same pens. It is expected that all 40 paddocks will be occupied this spring.

At the first of the year we had only a few Panama deer, but on my trip east I secured by exchange and purchase some fine specimens, and now we have the Siki, Fallow, Red Fallow, Black Fallow and others.

Besides building these paddocks we have been able to construct a series of roads extending over two and a half miles, leaving from mesa to mesa. New paths have been laid out making all parts of the garden more accessible.

Money has been promised to provide two buses for the comfort and pleasure of our guests, who are unable of disinclined to walk through the gardens. These proposed buses will be four feet wide and will contain seven seats, accommodating 20 people beside the operator.

Let us be the first to enjoy this luxury. Come with me that it may be my pleasure to conduct you on the initial trip through the gardens. Before leaving the vicinity of the deer park in our new buses, your attention is attracted by the very fine collection of kangaroos, and other closely allied marsupials. Through the generosity of John D. Spreckels, a trip to Australia and Hawaiian Islands was made possible. On this expedition Mr. Faulconer procured and brought to this country many new specimens for the zoo, among them these kangaroos. We have raised six and by selling or exchanging them with other zoos have added materially to our exhibits. The animals secured on this strip will be seen in many different parts of the garden. Owing to Mr. Faulconer’s keen and untiring interest in the care of the animals in transit, they arrived in splendid order and became a valuable addition.

Leaving the mesa, traveling down the road to the buffalo pens, you will see on the left the water buffalo family, including the fine heifer calf born last fall in the zoo. These we obtained from Kansas City zoo in the spring in exchange for sea lions, gulls and pelicans. On the right are the American buffalo or bison, which were donated to us by Golden Gate Park.

Coming up the canyon from the buffaloes, we pass the pelican and gull pond. This has been much improved in appearance by careful planting of shrubbery.

Next is the alligator pond and just beyond are the peccaries, which are becoming crowded in their pen owing to the fact that they multiply very rapidly. These, however, make excellent material for exchange with other zoos. Going to the left up what we called "seal canyon," we pass several bird enclosures, which are being planted with the yellow blooming acacia trees, and very soon it will be a beautiful sight to see the birds among these trees, especially when they are in bloom.

Further on we come to the seal pond, which is a replica of the Lower Otay dam, built on a 1-10 scale. This was built for instructional purposes and makes a very beautiful enclosure. It is a gift of Miss Ellen Scripps, of whose generosity we will see much evidence throughout our tour. Passing on we come to the mountain lion and tiger grottoes, wonderful structures, which will be even more beautiful when the vines grow around and over the side walls. The pond containing the harbor seals is next in order and then our lion grotto, which is another gift of Miss Scripps. Before going further I would like to say that these lions are known all over the country as being unexcelled, enabling us to sell our surplus at great profit. Pictures of Prince and Cleopatra, with their young, have been shown in many parts of the country. Our swan pond is not enclosed and the swans are at liberty to wander about, but they are usually to be seen nearby. It is our intention to have later on a number of birds of this kind loose in the grounds, as they are harmless and live in harmony with each other.

Crossing the bridge built and donated by the Bent Concrete Pipe Company, we pass a vacant spot which is to be laid out in bear grottoes. At the top we come to the den completed with money given to us by Miss Scripps. Here the bears are to be seen straight in front of you, giving the same appearance as they would have in their wild state. There are four varieties here, but when we are able to complete our other grottoes, the species will be separated.

Just north of the beat bit we find the little Koala beat donated by Mrs.. Gail Calmerson. This little bear attracts great attention from the visitors and everyone enjoys watching him sitting in his little red chair Santa Claus brought him, high up in the Eucalyptus trees, oblivious to all.

Turning to the left we see the camels in their stockades. The Mystic Shriners of San Diego donated to the zoo two Bactrian camels. One dromedary was given to us by the Lasky Film Corporation of Los Angeles and the Ringling Brothers Circus donated its mate. The fence surrounding these paddocks was built with money supplied us by the Campbell Chevrolet Company of San Diego. Still further on is the site in which we hope some day to have a pair of hippopotami if we can find a donor who will contribute the $12,000 estimated to complete the proposed compound. The pleasure it would give the people would be a better return on his money that if he had put it into stocks and bonds.

Further on we come to the commodious enclosure where the elephants, Happy and Joy, are confined. Although not entirely completed, it still is one of the best and most popular exhibits in the garden. The attraction was another gift of John D. Spreckels. One the west side space is left for a contemplated pool to be used for the elephants to bathe in. Anyone knowing how the pachyderms love to sport in the water cannot fail to realize what an added source of pleasure this will be.

On the opposite side of the mesa is the roomy warehouse used principally for the storage of hay and grain. By buying our hay in large quantities early in the season, we were able not only to obtain a very good uniform grade, but were able to effect a saving of about 40 percent in the cost. This constitutes a valuable asset, as hay-eating stock comprises a large percentage of our animals. This location was made possible by the liberality of the city Board of Education in deeding back to the Board of Park Commissioners this plot of ground.

A trail close by leads to what is known as the "cat canyon." Although there is practically nothing there at present, you may see on any of our plans the designated positions for the cages of the smaller members of the cat family. This will prove an interesting part of our trip, leading as it does down past the sea lion pond, around the brow of the hill, past the Inclosures where are kept the emus, storks and other large birds. Passing the duck ponds and goose dam on the right we come to the end of this trail. Here is situated the largest flying cage in the world. It is reached by two flights, one on either side, of easily ascended stairs, on which at intervals, seats are provided from which the large flying birds may be seen in a most natural setting. The ponds and running streams, large trees and other nature-like features of this inclosure, together with its immense height creates an exhibit that has attracted the attention of many people all over the country who have shown the pictures they have secured to countless others, thus making it one of our greatest advertising features.

From the top of this flight of stairs, the view down the canyon toward Cabrillo Bridge is one of the finest to be found in the park, noted for its beautiful views.

Turning to the left we pass the aquarium and come to the turtle pens, numbering about 50. On the left of the path are the fresh water turtles and on the right are the terrapin.

Passing along this same path are to be seen a fine and unique group of cages built by Colonel Milton McRae and dedicated to his grandson, John Paul Scripps, housing what is known at the burrowing group. These cages are built on an old sea shore. This was found to have a backing of hardpan which we reinforced with concrete. The surface was replaced as nearly as possible to its old contours, this while being made doubly safe, still enables these small animals to live in an almost perfectly natural condition. Especially notable are those containing the owls, which seem to show up to a great deal of advantage.

At the right of the turtle pens is a group of bird cages given to the zoo by John Forward, Sr. This is composed of a large central cage where the birds of prey are confined. Around this eighteen cages are grouped in the form of a horseshoe in which the many small birds and animals form a never-ending source of pleasure to the youthful visitors.

Let us follow the crowd for a moment, which is sure to bring us almost directly to the large primate cages where at the east end are two fine chimpanzees presented by Ralph Granger. The pleasure exhibited by the visitors to this group is returned in full as these two "chimps" enjoy their guests mightily and, in fact, show that they recognize many who are frequent callers at their cage.

The laundry companies of San Diego donated the cage just to the north of the large primates. This is filled with the bright colorful cockatoos and parrots, who attract our immediate attention by their noisy chatter.

Returning to the cages of monkeys constituting the large group, we find several occupied by animals that do not rightfully belong here. This is a situation which we are planning to relieve if possible during this year, hoping to be able to remove the coyotes, wolves, and others to cages in a group more suitable to their proper care.

Barney is so well known all over the country as well as by sociologists of Europe that he requires no special introduction He is docile, interesting and not in the least quarrelsome, and is known to be the only northern elephant seal in captivity. This lake for him was donated by Miss Anna Zimmerman and named "Mirror Lake," so called from the beautiful view to be seen at sunset reflected in this mirror.

The old Harvester Building has been converted into a reptile house at no little expense. This building was originally constructed on wooden piles and the walls, which were made partly of wood with some paper construction, has sagged from three to six inches in places. This has been restored, a proper basement built and many cages for the reptiles installed. The snake is a cold-blooded animal but requires and likes heat, however, they will live in cold places, having been seen basking in the sun near snow banks in the month of April in Colorado. The basement is now prepared for the installation of a heating plant, which is badly needed. With the plans as they are now working out, this building will be heated without doubt before three months have passed. Many snakes are contributed by the people of San Diego, 10 having been obtained in December. Yesterday two fine specimens of the red rattler, caught on San Miguel Mountain, were brought in by Mr. Faldborg.

The administration building, north of the Reptile House, was the old Standard Oil Building of exposition days. Although it had been given to the park, it stood in its original location east of Alameda Drive, which runs in front of the zoo, as we had no money to pay for its removal until Mr. and Mrs., Patrick O’Rourke were so kind as to have it moved to its present location, where it now houses the offices of the Zoological Society. Through this building is the main entrance to the garden, In it also is maintained a refreshment parlor for the benefit and convenience of our guests.

North of the administration building stands the O’Rourke Zoological Institute, intended for education purposes largely, and we are indeed grateful to Mr. and Mrs. O’Rourke whose generosity again has made it possible to realize some of our ambitions.

A few Zoological gardens may possess educational features, others may have facilities for scientific work, but so far as I am aware San Diego Zoo is the only one which provides both.

I have spoken to you of the O’Rourke Institute, which provides the educational feature, and I am not able to announce that Miss Ellen B. Scripps has donated $50,000 for the erection and equipment of a Zoological Hospital and Biological Research Institute. This institution will be located on a plot of ground just north of the California Building, which has been allotted to use by the Park Board.

The institute is for the study of humans as well as animals and construction will be started very shortly. Its purposes are first to provide isolation and hospitalization for our animals (newly received or those permanently domiciled here) and second, for purely research purposes in the field of biology, including biological chemistry, the mechanics of fractures, etc.

Prints of the first and second floor of the building were sent to scientific societies and universities all over the country, requesting comment and criticism. Upon receipt of their replies, the directors considered them very carefully and made some slight changes in the plans to conform with some of the valuable and helpful suggestions received.

We have now come to the end of our circle through the garden. We have hastened, perhaps, where we should have liked to linger. Inspiring views, such as the one from the deer mesa, have been barely glimpsed. Is it any surprise that 365,034 persons, other than ourselves, have passed through our turnstiles this year to go away and show their pictures and speak our praises to their friends "back home" or to become almost daily or weekly visitors to the zoo.

It would be impossible to make an address of this nature without grateful acknowledgment of the assistance we have received in all ways at all times from the officials of the city of San Diego. It is only with their aid and support that we have been able to make this part of the park as attractive to tourists and a never-ending joy to the citizens of San Diego.

In closing I want to express my appreciation to the Board of Directors of the Zoological Society and to the various committees who have been untiring in their efforts to further the interests of the Society during this year. I wish to thank all of the many supporters and friends for their generous gifts and unflagging interest in all our undertakings of the past and plans for the future.

The report on the Reptile House, prepared by L. M. Klauber, curator of reptiles, follows:

During the year 555 snakes were brought into the zoo from San Diego County, in addition to which this writer recorded 148 live and dead specimens in the country, bringing the total for which location records were obtained to 703. This figure may be compared to 447 in 1923 and 443 in 1924. In addition, 80 specimens were brought in from Lower California, Imperial County and Arizona. Besides the snakes, a considerable number of specimens of lizards and amphibians were brought in from San Diego County. From eastern and northern points we received through trade and purchases, 260 snakes, 18 lizards and 87 turtles. We sent out as trades and donations to eastern zoos, museums and universities and natural history societies 318 snakes, 130 lizards, one turtle and 350 batrachians: the above being live specimens. In addition we sent out 60 snakes, 133 lizards and 14 amphibians preserved in alcohol.

The operation of the Reptile House has continued to show improvement. During most of the summer an adequate food supply in the shape of mice and meal worms has been continuously available. There has, however, been a shortage of frogs, which are necessary for some species, and a supply of these should be provided in the future.

Our prize offer this year was a great success in stimulating interest and increasing the number of specimens brought into the zoo. The prizes offered totaled $65 dollars as follows: For the individual bringing in the greatest number of snakes during the season, March 1 to November 30, $35; next largest number, $20; most unusual specimen, $10. This compares with a price list of $100 during 1924.

The prizes for 1925 should be awarded as follows:

First prize for the largest number of specimens to Fred E. Walker of East San Diego, who brought in exactly 100 snakes besides numerous lizards, during the season March 1 to November 30. Walker likewise brought in 10 snakes during December, thus making a total of 110 snakes which he furnished to the zoo.

Second prize for the greatest number of snakes should be awarded to L. Faldborg of Chula Vista who brought in 42 snakes during the contest period. His collection of red rattlesnakes was particularly fine.

As to the most unusual specimen, I would recommend that this prize of $10 be divided between A. H. Schlange, Box 113, San Ysidro, and L. Kemp, 3722 Howard Street, East San Diego. Each of these persons brought in a western faded snake, Arizona elegans occidentalis. As we have had only three faded snakes in three years from San Diego County, they must be considered rarer than the California tantilla (Tantilla eiseni), of which we have had four from San Diego County and two from Lower California.

The above prizes in accordance with our offer should be paid immediately in cash. Considerable publicity should be given these payments in order to stimulate interest this year and at the same time prizes for this year should be offered. I would recommend that the prizes be in the same amounts as last year and that, as usual, county schools and post offices be circularized.

In this connection we might given consideration to the awarding of a special prize of, say, a radio set to the county school sending in the great number of specimens during the year. (This offer, if made, should be exclusive of rattlesnakes, in order that there may be no danger to the students in catching the snakes. It would likewise be advisable rather than to grade the prize award entirely on a basis of numbers to assign values in points for the several species of snakes, giving larger numbers of points for the rarer specimens. This could be done in a way that would stimulate much interest.

The report of the Junior Zoological Society, prepared by Jack C. von Bloker, Jr., president of the Society, was read by Dr. W. H. Raymenton, director of education. It follows:

The first session of 1925 of the San Diego Junior Zoological Society was held in the O’Rourke Zoological Institute in the Junior Zoological Society Building, Balboa Park, March 5, 1925. At this time Miss Helen Huberty was elected president; Jack von Bloker, vice president and treasurer, and Samuel G. Harter, secretary.

From this date (March 5 to June 25, 1925) meetings were held regularly every Saturday afternoon from 2 to 5 o’clock except in the summer vacation.

The second session of the year occurred on September 17, 1925. At this time Jack C. von Bloker was elected president and treasurer and Samuel G. Harper vice president, with Helen Huberty, secretary. Since then meetings have been held every Saturday afternoon up to December 24, 1925, At these meetings members talked on some subject in which they had become especially interested. Their subject is frequently illustrated by lantern slides on the silver screen. Many of these slides they make themselves, depicting on pieces of glass cut to the size of the slides the animals under consideration, and these are then shown on the screen. Animated and interesting discussions follow. Questions by members and answers by the speaker of the day, quotations from authorities, and original observations by the members of the club are then in order.

The president of the second session has in his talks gone more into detail in teaching the structural differences and varying habits of various animals. He had also laid much emphasis on the conservation of animal life, especially bird protection.

An important innovation during the second session on the initiative of the president, was the founding of the San Diego Junior Zoological Museum, November 12, 1925.

Following is a list of the members of the staff of the museum:

John C. von Bloker, director; Paul C. Covel, curator of mammals; Samuel G. Harper, curator of birds; John L. King, curator of amphibians; Harry L. Benbough, Jr., curator of invertebrates; Richard C. Benbough, curator of paleontology; Jack C. von Bloker, preparator; and Samuel G. Harter, assistant preparator.

Specimens of birds and mammals which have in the San Diego Zoo have been given to this museum to be prepared for mounting or for scientific study of skins. Specimens of birds have been given to his museum, both mounted and study skins, by the San Diego Natural History Museum, and several of the boys have loaned their various collections to us from time to time. One expedition has been sent out by use to La Puerta Valley, a semi-desert valley on the eastern slope of the mountains, to collect various specimens of the fauna, flora and geological specimens of the valley for comparison with specimens found in or nearer the city. There boys were sent on this expedition from the club. They are Paul F. Covel, curator in chief of birds and mammals; Samuel G. Harter, curator of birds; and Jack von Bloker, director.

The party left December 25, 1926 and returned January 3, 1926. The trip was successful, although it rained every day but one. Seven mammals were collected, of which five were made into study skins and two were mounted by the director of the museum.

Eighteen birds were collected, all of which were made into study skins; one reptile, preserved in alcohol; 133 insects were collected and pinned after having been killed by fumes of cyanide of potassium. A considerable number of botanical and geological specimens were secured and brought to the museum to be classified and exhibited. In all, there were 159 animal specimens secured on this expedition, the first of many we hope to have in the future.

Classes from the city and county schools have been personally conducted about the zoological garden by various members of the Junior Zoological Society from time to time.

Boys and girls from the ages of 10 to 18 are eligible as members of the Junior Zoological Society and are cordially invited to join. The dues are five cents a month or 60 cents a year.

Arrangements have been made with the department of visual education of the city schools by which educational reels will be loaned t us for use in our large motion picture machines.

We are also to have the use of one of their small motion picture machines with educational reels for our Saturday afternoon meetings.

January 21, 1926, San Diego Union, 8:5-6. Fred E. Lindley favors State College site in Balboa Park; San Diego, with its miles of beaches and with its beautiful back country accessible to and visited by practically everyone who owns an automobile, does not have use for the large area of the park which is now lying idle.

January 22, 1926, San Diego Union. State and City officials review State College site; scale of evaluation to be presented February 10; eight properties to be selected from which educational tract is to be selected; Will C. Wood, State Superintendent of Public Education, favors Balboa Park location, which has not been offered: "If there is a general desire on the part of the people for the college in the park, he would prefer it over almost any other site. But if the consideration of the site in the park, or the choosing of the site there should be accomplished only after a battle with its resulting division of the city into two armed camps, he would avoid even discussing it, for the injury to the city would be greater than the advantage of having the college in the park."

January 22, 1926, San Diego Union, 8:3-6. Photograph of Citizens’ Committee selected to pick a site for the new San Diego State College with State officials.

January 23, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:1. Representatives of the Zoo, Art Gallery, Natural History Society and Museum Association met with the Park Board yesterday to discuss the advisability of joining with the Park Board in an effort to obtain more money for their maintenance. At present the Natural History Museum is the only one of the four not receiving city aid.

January 24, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:5-6. George E. Morrison backs plan to give park site to college: "Establishment of the college in beautiful Balboa Park will quicken the cultural impulses of the city and add immeasurably to the delightful atmosphere of Balboa Park."

January 24, 1926, San Diego Union, 16:2-5. Music may soothe the savage beast, but Zoo keepers find sugar or chuck or raw beef more soothing than string quartet; persons mistreating the exhibits have been ordered out of the garden (illus.).

January 24, 1926, San Diego Union, Development, 13:1-3. The Dining Room, by Richard S. Requa.

January 28, 1926, San Diego Union, 11:1-2. Malcolm & Company protest against plan to take portion of park for new college.

January 28, 1926, San Diego Union, 13:4. Mrs. Clara J. Champlin advocates park college site.

January 29, 1926, San Diego Union, 1:2, 2:5-6. Forward resigns after 16 years on Park Board; declares he will fight effort to locate new State College on Balboa Park site.

January 29, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:5. A campaign to place the new State College campus in Balboa Park will be launched tomorrow evening by a mass meeting in the Lincoln School auditorium at 7:30. Announcement of the meeting was made yesterday by W. A. Hamman, head of the Department of Public Address at San Diego High School. Dr. Edgar L. Hewett, Edgar McMath, Fred Lindley, William Evans, Fred Finn will assist in organization of campaign.

January 29, 1926, San Diego Union, 11:3. John Nolen here Wednesday.

January 30, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:4-5. Elizabeth Freese, B. H. Haddock, Cary Richard Colburn write in favor of site in park for State College.

January 30, 1926, San Diego Union, 12:1-2. Colonel E. N. Jones, Park Commissioner, warns don’t start dividing park; predicts San Diego will have no Balboa Park tract at all if City starts doling our acreage to State College and others.

January 30, 1926, San Diego Union, 22:5. $25,500 needed for Art Gallery; City to put up $19,000 and Mr. and Mrs. Bridges $6,500 for year’s upkeep.

January 31, 1926, San Diego Union, 14:4-5. W. S. Staley favors Balboa Park as State College site.

January 31, 1926, San Diego Union, 19:3-5. Arrival of twin nilgaii babies at San Diego Zoo causes great stir.

January 31, 1926, San Diego Union, Classified, 1:4-5, 6:5. Forward scores educators for attempt to take park land for State College.

Tactics employed by local educators in an effort to grab 100 acres of Balboa Park lands for a state college were unmercifully scored yesterday by John F. Forward, Jr., who on Thursday, after 16 years of service, resigned his position on the park commission.

Mr. Forward issued a signed statement in which he declared that these educators cannot beat around the bush any longer in their efforts to show that they are not making an organized attempt to "invade Balboa Park." He asserts that he can prove that all kinds of propaganda is being used by them to gain their ends, both in the schools and without.

He charges that President E. L. Hardy of the State college at one time approached him and suggested a play whereby the state college would get the Exposition buildings and the very center of the great park for its future activities. Moreover, Mr. Forward charges that a hired press agent or publicity man is in the employ of the State college and high school faculty to help out over the park scheme. His statement is also an appeal to the people to save the park from confiscation and to preserve it for posterity. Mr. Forward’s signed statement is in full as follows:

"The Union Friday morning carried a statement from President E. L Hardy of the State college, in which he said that no one connected with the development plans of San Diego State college --- state officials, citizens’ committee, faculty or students --- has taken any official stand for or against the location of the college in Balboa park, and that the new site must be chosen from tracts voluntarily offered the college, not solicited by it.

"I was greatly surprised when I read this. When I was on the park commission, President Hardy came to me and suggested a plan whereby the State college would take over the Exposition buildings in the park and the surrounding ground. He said that the state would make the buildings permanent for the college. Of course, I told him that I would not listen to such a suggestion; that it was absolutely out of the question.

"President Hardy also said in his letter to The Union that the State college has carefully remained apart from the public agitation for and against the Balboa park site, and that no attempt is being made to influence public opinion. In this connection, I wish to say than Sam Jackson, a publicity man, residing at 415 Corona apartments (Fourth and Juniper streets) is employed, I understand, by the faculty of the State college and the faculty of the high school as their press agent in this and other matters. I understand he writes articles favoring the park grab for the State college and endeavors to get citizens to sign them. Do they deny having employed him? I would like to head their answer to that.

"Already the people of San Diego have given away Balboa park lands worth $3,000,000. When is it going to end? The Roosevelt school ground alone is valued by the school board, I understand, at about $300,000. It is worth nearly $500,000. The ground given to the senior high school and the stadium is worth easily a million more. The beautiful point of ground donated to the naval hospital is worth a large sum, being the finest view point in the entire park, and it now has a fence around it.

"If we keep giving our park away, we will succeed in demoralizing our credit. San Diego must develop water. And for this development, including the Colorado river, we must have every ounce of credit at our command, or the city is going to stand still --- perhaps fall back. We must call a halt on those who are confiscating our assets. In five years we will have to put up our share for the development of the Colorado or else [lose] all right to that water forever. If the city’s assets are continually cut down we will have no credit on which to float a bond issue for this most necessary purposes.

"What have the people who own their homes on the east side of the park got to day about this state college scheme? Do they intend to have their birthright taken away from them? I think not. I don’t think they will sit idly by and permit such a thing. Fifteen years ago the west side of the park looked worse than the east side does now. Today the west side is one of the garden spots of the world --- famous throughout the world. Who can say that within another 15 years the entire east side of the park will not be just as beautiful --- perhaps even more beautiful?

"If the city of San Diego is not bigger than the vision of those persons who want to use our wonderful park for purposes in no way adapted to such a park, God held us!

"Let’s play this game fairly and above board. Some of the public school authorities assert that they are taking no hand in this park site scheme. Take that with a grain of salt. This propaganda is being spread daily in the schools of the city, which is only natural on the part of certain instructors in our public schools. Members of the park commission and others opposed to given our park away have not been asked to address their meetings. It has been one-sided, and to me unfair. I see that W. A. Tamman, who teaches oratory at the high school, was the power behind the throne at a ‘give-the-park-away’ massing meeting at the Lincoln school the other evening. It was announced that this meeting was for the purpose of starting a campaign to put the state college in Balboa park. The ‘press agent’ notice of the meeting gave a list of those who would assist in organizing the campaign. Dr. Edgar L. Hewett, an instructor who spends only part of his time in San Diego, headed the list. Then came Edgar McMath, a teacher; Fred Lindley, attorney for the public administrator; William Evans, a teacher; Fred D. Finn, principal of the night school; Glen C. Perkins, high school principal; Elizabeth Freese, a teacher; and H. J. Roy, who used to work for the telephone company.

"I want to repeat that we are spending practically 70 percent of our tax money on education that does not educate. If these school heads will get out of politics, we may get some results in the education of our children, but not while politics and propaganda are uppermost. Politics and propaganda pass from the principal to the teacher, then to the pupil, and from the pupil into the home. It is through this process that they hope to induce the people to give beautiful Balboa park away. Because of extravagances in the schools, taxes are going up by leaps and bounds. This means that living is advancing at the same rate. The school system, with its politics and propaganda, is bearing down on the toiling masses. Governor Richardson has scored this system, and he is right. There seems to be no relief at hand, and the effort to grab our park for a state college is just another sample of what the school propagandists and politicians will attempt. Education has been relegated to the scrap heap. Of the dozens of young people who in recent years have gone to work for me, as graduates of the high school, I can recall but two who have really made good.

"The rest know all about athletics, politics, dancing, propaganda, music and art, but nothing about English or mathematics. Several of these boys are now getting in a privately conducted business school to learn something. When they have succeeded, I probably shall find use of them in my business. Is that a good recommendation for our politically-controlled system of public education? You be the judge.

"They will try to tell you that Balboa park is 1400 acres and that we have land to spare, but how much level ground have we got? The park is cut by canyons. In the northeastern section, where the state college would be established, there are only 340 acres of level land. Cut his in two, and what have you left? The golf grounds would be invaded, and the athletic field, contemplated under the Nolen plan, would be ruined.

"This probably is the last thing I shall say for publication regarding the state college effort to confiscate our park. I merely wanted to answer some of the press agent bunk that has been given such wide publicity by the school propagandists. But I shall continue to fight the state college scheme to the best of my ability, for I take a great pride in the wonderful park that we have built. And in closing, I wish to say that I do not believe our public-spirited, patriotic organizations and citizens will permit this thing to happen. Let us keep that part of our park, which still belongs to use, for our children --- yea, for the world at large --- and nip in the bud any scheme, ‘educational’ or otherwise, to wrest it from us."

January 31, 1926, San Diego Union, 6:5. Dr. Fred Baker objects.

"If the state of California once gets into Balboa park with its state college, eventually there will not be a foot of land in the northeast section of the park that is not the property of the state," declared Dr. Fred Baker of Point Loma, an old resident of San Diego, yesterday.

"The state is rich enough to buy all the ground it needs elsewhere, but if once the college is located in the park, it will use it as a club over the people and demand more ground every time it wishes to establish this or that department, and soon we will have nothing left."

Dr. Baker further expressed his opposition to the "park site" for the state college as follows:

"When I voted five years ago to give five acres of the park for the naval hospital, I said I never again would vote to give a foot of our park way. Every bit of ground we have left will be necessary for the true development of that land for park purposes. The present State college movement means giving away an enormously valuable asset. There are many other good available sites and the state has the money with which to buy what it needs. If the state would say that it must go into the park or there would be no college, I might vote for it, but I am far from sure. Moreover, the state is not going to say that.

"The park site is favored because it is very central, but I believe the college will be better off if the student body is not so close to the center of the city. Transportation will be provided to any other site, and those who want to attend the college will get there easily. So far as the park is concerned, two other public enterprises take precedence of the college.

"We need a city hall, but the development of water is so urgent that the question of a site for such a building is important. To buy land for such a building would mean an expense greater than we can stand. Also, the time is not far ahead when we will have to have a city hospital. This movement was started several years ago, but did not meet with success. At present, the common people, such as myself, cannot afford to go to the hospitals that we have, unless it is the county hospital. It will be hard to raise money enough to build this hospital, even without purchasing a site. If the city has land to donate, it would make a difference of years in making our dreams of such a hospital come true. A hospital has a greater claim on San Diego than the State college, especially when good sites are offered to the state. For San Diego to gratuitously turn over to the state this large tract of park land would, to my mind, be a mistake."

January 31, 1926, San Diego Union, Classified, 4:4. Decision of Committee on Site for State College will be named next Wednesday, February 3.

January 31, 1926, San Diego Union, Society-Club, 1:3-7, 2:7. Fine Arts Gallery in Balboa Park will open to public in three weeks, by L. D.

January 31, 1926, San Diego Union, Development, 4:2-8. The Kitchen Department, by Richard S. Requa.

BALBOA PARK HISTORY

1926

FEBRUARY

February 1, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:2-4. Edward L. Hardy, president of the State College, sees college lost to city if site decision not arrived at soon; he had suggested replacement of all the exposition buildings by college buildings of the same type of architecture would unite in one place practically all of the cultural institutions in the city; matter was dropped after civic committee of Chamber of Commerce ruled adversely on project; approves of new proposition to put college in northeast corner of park, but only if the people are willing: "Location would be find for the college, whether or not it would be good for San Diego now and in the future is a question for the people of decide."

February 1, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:5-6. Balboa Park state college committee addressed argument to Mayor Bacon yesterday for Balboa Park college site.

February 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:1. Questioned by Councilman Held yesterday, Mayor Bacon told the Council that the state college meeting in council chambers tomorrow will be open to all and that the various sites suggested for the college are to be discussed.

February 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:2-3. Julius Wangenheim opposes plan to place state college buildings in Balboa Park.

February 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:2-3. Local attorney H. S. says State College in Balboa Park would be a mistake.

February 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:4. A. F. Molina wants State College in northeast corner of park.

February 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:4. E. J. Swayne upholds Forward’s stand on park site.

February 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:4. Mrs. Frank T. Read wants park to remain intact.

February 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:5-6. Rufus Choate applauds Forward’s appeal to keep part intact.

February 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:5-6. Douglas Young wants people to vote on site for college.

February 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:5. Irene McMichael wants state to rebuild exposition buildings for use as a state college.

February 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:7-8. Harry Warburton wants state college in park.

February 3, 1926, San Diego Union, 1:2. 4:4. Council will consider sites for State College today.

February 4, 1926, San Diego Union, 1:6-7, 3:3-4. Advisory Council decides to wait for John Nolen’s opinion of state college site; speakers vie with each other in detailing advantages of six locations at hearing; recommendation of choice postponed for suggestions in relation to new civic plan; early action indicated.

February 4, 1926, San Diego Union, 8:1. John Nolen here to explain new city plan; zoning expert to confer with Mayor, City Council.

February 4, 1926, San Diego Union, 15:4-5. Joshua Bailey would put College in park and oust Zoo if more room found necessary.

February 4, 1926, San Diego Union, 15:5. A. C. Majors wants college in park.

February 4, 1926, San Diego Union, 15:5. Mrs. Patrick O’Rourke opposes park as site for college.

February 5, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:3. John Nolen to explain plan to city officials today.

February 5, 1926, San Diego Union, 12:1-2. Chamber of Commerce adopts resolution opposing park site for State College.

February 6, 1926, San Diego Union, 1:5, 2:5. John Nolen would bar college from park; Balboa Park tract should be kept for city; thinks more area should be accumulated.

1. Balboa Park is unquestionably intended for park and recreation purposes and should be used for such purposes only.

2. The area of Balboa Park is not too large even now and will be insufficient in future. San Diego has a

long life ahead.

3. Balboa Park is not too large an area for San Diego to maintain provided it is fully planned and used

as a park. Generosity is called for. The original land was a gift. It cost the city nothing, so

expenditures for development can be afforded.

4. San Diego needs more, not less, resources of land and money for parks. Even if it could be

demonstrated that land elsewhere would be more useful for park purposes than Balboa Park is, then

payment should be made to the park board for land taken. Balboa Park is a land trust in perpetuity

for park purposes, and for all the people in San Diego.

5. A dozen or more suitable sites could be found for any of the present non-park uses of Balboa Park, but

property like Balboa Park in area and location could never be obtained again in San Diego. No

institution, religious, educational, or philanthropic in the park or likely to be placed there, can in my

opinion represent the interests of the whole of the population in San Diego now, or in the future.

6. The encroachments upon Balboa Park are already of a serious nature --- probably more so than upon t

the park of any other American city. As a friend of San Diego, I advise you to preserve what remains

of Balboa Park in all its integrity.

February 6, 1926, San Diego Union, 12:1-5. John Nolen presents his completed plan for improvement of "City Beautiful"; would keep park intact; cut direct highway from 5th to National Avenue and "plant’ island near U. S. Marine Base.

As San Diego is as a region different from the rest of the United States, it must develop along its own typical lines, declared city Planner John Nolen yesterday when he presented his completed plan for a growing San Diego to the city officials most directly concerned with his plan, the city council, the planning, harbor and park commissions, the mayor and others particularly interested in the development of the city according to a well-defined plan.

For about a year now Mr. Nolen, one of the most famous and able city planners in the country, has been studying the San Diego problems and working out a plan which will, insofar as it is possible, correct the existing mistakes in development. He came from his offices in Cambridge, Mass. to present the results of his effort to San Diego, and yesterday’s was the first of a series of meetings at which he will explain to the people of this city how they can grow to one of the unique cities of the world.

Mr. Nolen declared at once that his study of San Diego had been one of the biggest and most interesting on which he had ever been engaged.

"I have had had bigger cities as far as population is concerned," he said. "I have had many interesting problems to solve. But I never have worked on a plan for a city with the potentialities for individual and characteristic development such as are to be found here in San Diego."

To illustrate his explanation of the new plan for the city, Mr. Nolen had surrounded himself with a series of maps hung on the walls of the city planning office. The most prominently placed of these were the "existing conditions" pad, and the general city map, an elaborate study with various projects worked out in various colors to indicate exactly what will be kept unchanged, and what work will be done in developing the plan as Mr. Nolen has worked it out. Other maps, each devoted to the exposition of a definite phase of the development, showed the park system planned, the major street and highway system, the harbor development, the location of playgrounds and schools, the waterfront zoning scheme, and a preliminary study of Balboa park on which Mr. Nolen is engaged as a separate project from the general development of the city plan.

In the consideration of his plan he divided the subject into two parts, the essential nature and character of a southern California city, such as San Diego should be, and the regional planning for a metropolitan district.

"Without doubt," he said, "San Diego should be a more distinctive city in its physical developments. Its topography, its climate, its purposes all are different from the average American city. Not to be distinctive is and advantage lost, and some things in San Diego cannot be changed. The question is what can be done to recover lost ground and lead the city towards a more distinctive San Diego for the future? Cultural developments based on the site of San Diego, the peculiar merits of the climate and the possibility of a different quality of life in southern California, remains to be considered later in the planning process.

"One of the outstanding requirements of San Diego is regional planning for what may very properly be called a metropolitan district. In some respects the boundaries of San Diego may appear to be too wide already for city purposes. In other respects they are too narrow. The point is that for urban purposes the present boundaries of San Diego are not altogether too logical. For example, the city extends too far to the north. There is in that direction a large territory beyond the San Diego river and the Mission Valley, a stretch of over ten miles from north to south, which barring Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and La Jolla, with a few other minor exceptions, does not appear to be adapted on account of its extent, location and topography for development in the immediate future as an integral part of the city of San Diego. On the other hand, the territory south of the official boundary of the city, extending almost as far as the Mexican line, is by location and character and by relation to the present city as now developed, a more logical part of San Diego. This matter of city boundaries in a regional sense is one of vast importance in the proper planing and administration of the municipality, knitting San Diego together as the most important natural harbor city of southern California.

Mr. Nolen then outlined the projects which had had included in his regional plan as especially affecting San Diego, such as a parkway drive south and encircling the entire bay to Coronado, a parkway thoroughfare through Telegraph canyon, another through Chollas Valley to La Mesa, another to Lemon Grove, another through Alvarado canyon, a Murphy canyon parkway, a back country part as far inland as El Cajon, a northbound parkway inland to connect with the coast highway by several east and west canyon parkways.

Another regional project of special interest is one that would fill in enough land along the Silver Strand to provide a desirable public recreation area, with a channel cut through to the ocean to enable the tides to keep the bay swept clean. Reservations and drives to connect up to city lakes and reservoirs also are included in the plan.

He had the highest praise for the present county highway system, analyzing the truck highways outside the city, however, he called attention to the fact that the section of the main coast highway inside the city has had grades and several ban and dangerous curves which should be studied with a view to re-alignment. He recommended improvements of the Torrey pines grade and the Biological grade above La Jolla.

The thoroughfare system he proposed he has outlined on the plan map, showing how existing thoroughfares to the city are used and improved, with improvements that will give some relief from the congestion of the streets by diverting traffic to other streets and by emphasizing a system of cross-town links and feeder streets. The major projects recommended are the relocation and widening of the main thoroughfare from the north from Witherby street to Morena, and the construction of a thoroughfare across the flats which will provide a shorter and more direct route to Mission Beach, at the same time opening up some valuable territory not now accessible. The third major highway project is the industrial waterfront highway, Market street to the city limits. This will connect at the north with a harbor which would skirt the waterfront all the way around the bay and out to Point Loma. Another recommendation is the extension of 28th street as a main thoroughfare between Golden Hill and Logan Heights and to the water front beyond. Another thoroughfare connection is recommended to pass under the 30th street bridge, connecting Pershing drive with the proposed canyon parkway drive on the east.

He recommended the extension of National avenue northward diagonally from 12th street and 6h street and southward from 26th street to National City. This will give a direct route to Tijuana without interference of street railways.

The final project recommended is a connection between the foot of 6th street grade to Mission Valley and the mesa on the north side of the valley.

"A system of parks is imperatively needed for San Diego," said Mr. Nolen, "if the city is to be distinctive or successful."

"There is no park system for San Diego now. In my report on a comprehensive plan for San Diego, prepared in 1908, attention was drawn to the fact that in a city like San Diego, stretching for more than 20 miles up and down the coast, with an almost infinite variety of scenery, no single park, even though it be as large and attractive as Balboa park, is sufficient. A system of parks in unquestionably demanded. Such a system should include characteristic parks in every part of the city and in the territory adjacent therein.

"Balboa park is one of the largest, most unusual and strikingly beautiful parks in the world, yet, from a broad city planning point of view, considering the whole of the park problem for the city of San Diego, and especially considering the other requirements of the city, such as main thoroughfares and the best utilization of all of the land of the city, it might be questioned whether Balboa park as it exists today is fully justified.

"Under present conditions, it appears to be the best policy now to hold the park as it is, exclusively and rigidly for well-defined park purposes without further encroachment, with the exception of two carefully located, adequate lines of communication across the park, in general, one north and south and one east and west. In any case, for the sake of the park itself, the whole of the area should be studied and planned at this time, as it now being done under the direction of the board of park commissioners.

"The park system of San Diego is made up of proposed new boulevards and drives and a selection of existing streets and roads for park treatment, which by following the pronounced natural features of the San Diego country, will give them beauty and parklike character. These are arranged so as to give circuits of parkways around the city, and also to connect the various parklike public areas. Such strong natural features and parks as San Diego bay, Point Loma, Mission bay, San Diego river, Mission Valley, Chollas Valley, Mount Soledad, Torrey Pines, Balboa park and the many canyons demand convenient circulation from one to the other."

Turning from the parks of the system to the harbor development, Noel declared that its comprehensive planning is one of the chief contributions that city planning can make to the prosperity of San Diego.

"Search the United States over," he said, "and you will find no other American city which has the possibility of doing the remarkable and beautiful things that are only the normal and natural thing to do here. The harbor drive is an instance of the unique opportunity San Diego has."

He told about this harbor drive and the fact that it will make the waterfront a thing of beauty that can be the city’s greatest asset. He outlined again the various waterfront zones and the influence they will have on the territory immediately behind them. He recommended a battery park at the foot of Market street, both to provide a beautiful municipal waterfront park and to mark the north boundary of industrial waterfront.

Development of a municipal airport with unexcelled facilities for land and sea planes, the parking of a large island in front of the marine base and training station to add to the beauty of the waterfront and the sightliness of the government projects also were described in detail and indicated on the various maps.

The creation of a civic center just north of the present new municipal pier was urged enthusiastically. Mr. Nolen pointed out how imposing and inspiring much a city portal could be made. Later in his remarks he declared that one of the things that San Diego needs more than anything else is a civic center. The lack of such a center, he said, is one of the most potent factors in the lack of civic unity with which San Diego is often charged. He concluded his consideration of the harbor with a description of the beauties of Point Loma and the view from the end of the point.

His final recommendation was for the safeguarding of all new development by a rigid supervision of plats for subdivisions. The difficulties the city now has, he said, are a permanent handicap that never can be overcome. But in the future the city can and must see that developments are in proper accord with the general plan and with the normal demands for a proper relation of all the parts of the city to the whole.

The art of city planning, he said, can succeed only through the assistance of there other "arts." He referred to the proper publicity which will make the people realized what the plan is and what its fulfillment will mean; to the cooperation of all the departments of the city where there are overlapping functions in the carrying out of the plan; and the art of learning how to save by spending, the realization that the development of the plan, costly as it may seem at first, actually will be a saving in the long run.

Asked regarding the relative importance of the various phases of development of the plan, Nolen said that the plan as a whole should be worked out as fast as possible, not developed by completing any one of the parts first. But he said that the first and most important step is the acquisition of vacant lands which will be needed in the future. They can be secured cheaply now, he said, while later it may not be possible to acquire them at all.

The second step he urged is the development of the waterfront program. It should be pushed through to completion as rapidly as possible, he said, because it is vital to the city’s future life. He declared that the realization of the waterfront development will bring a revolution to the life of the city.

February 7, 1926, San Diego Union, Society-Club, 11:1-5. Notable examples of Spanish art on exhibition at formal opening of Fine Arts Gallery in Balboa Park, by L. D.

February 7, 1926, San Diego Union, Development. The Library, by Richard S. Requa.

February 8, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:5. D. W. Morris, editor of Marshalltown, Iowa, Times, favors park college site.

February 8, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:6. Park Commission lauds Forward; resolution adopted to show appreciation of former Commissioner’s work.

February 8, 1926, San Diego Union, 11:6. 65 boys win Court honors; February meeting Friday evening at Indian Village of Boy Scouts voted most interesting of such events ever held

February 8, 1926, San Diego Union, 11:7-8. Scouts plan big jamboree at Indian Village Saturday; everything in readiness for demonstration; public invited to attend.

February 9, 1926, San Diego Union, 2:1. Marston to give 50-acre tract to City; Presidio Hill to be name of new park; land to be developed by donor under beautification plan of John Nolen; announcement made at a meeting of members of the civic committee of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon.

A sub-committee, to be headed by Julius Wangenheim, was appointed by Chairman Davidson to investigate the possibilities of the suggested bay front civic center, insofar as property values are concerned. Another item taken under consideration of the committee was the proposal of its chairman that the upper Point Loma boulevard from the Fort Rosecrans gate to the Old Spanish Lighthouse be paved in the near future and its cost be paid by the levying of tolls.

February 9, 1926, San Diego Union, 2:2-3. Thousands hear Nolen’s city plan in talk at American Legion War Memorial Building; emphasizes importance of waterfront improvements.

That San Diegans are interested n the plan that has been prepared for San Diego’s proper development and logical growth was demonstrated last night when 1,000 San Diegans went to the American Legion War Memorial building to hear John Nolen, San Diego’s city planner, explain what his plan means for the city, and what city planning is doing for cities all over the United States.

Once more Mr. Nolen emphasized the importance of waterfront development as a spur to the complete development of the city according to the proposed plan. That he struck a popular note and that waterfront development should prove a popular project in San Diego was evident from the applause that greeted his first mention of the bay front drive which he declared would be one of the most beautiful in all of the world.

Mr. Nolen reiterated that San Diego is not one of the cities with great potentialities, but is actually the one city in the United States which has the greatest potentialities for an unexcelled development along the lines --- harbor and waterfront development --- of both commercial and esthetic types , parks thoroughfares, economic city development for business and for municipal beauty. He emphasized the fact that San Diego must take advantage of its opportunity to become an individually beautified and a beautifully individualized city, that it must continue its planning out into its natural region, including both the back country and the whole bay district. San Diego early turned its back on the water, he said, and has not yet turned around to face its greatest asset, commercially, recreationally and esthetically.

He scored the persons who would involve the city in a local conflict over smokestacks or geraniums, declaring that San Diego not only may but should have both in their proper places. Proper location of both the smokestacks and geraniums will stabilize all property values for both the homeowner and the owner of business property, he said.

Cities and individuals alike, he said, grow irregularly. Both have periods when they can grow more rapidly and make use of certain impetus and enthusiasm. He believes that San Diego has reached that stage of crisis, when the people are aroused to grow reasonably and to take advantage of opportunities for planned development which never will come again. He reminded the people that the city is under inspection and will be judged not by what it may do with its opportunities, but by what it actually does do with them, by the results it gets.

The address was illustrated with a number of lantern slides showing examples of the typical individualized city development of which several cities have taken advantage, of maps of the plan of San Diego, and of maps showing what other cities are actually doing in planning their development to the end that the city may be the best and most comfortable place to live economically, commercially and domestically. He showed how proper planning is an economy by preventing the installation of improvements that will have to be torn out to make way for better arranged improvements, and he showed pictures of communities that are doing their planning early.

Mr. Nolen was ably seconded by Hugh R. Pomeroy, Los Angeles county regional planner, who came to San Diego yesterday just to hear Mr. Nolen last night. He was introduced following Mr. Nolen’s address by Mayor Bacon, who presided, and he emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the early opportunities for planned development.

"We have learned to our sorrow in Los Angeles county," he said, "that the opportunities which you fail to take advantage of today are a perpetual mortgage on the future. You will do well to follow Mr. Nolen’s advice on waterfront development. We are being forced to spend millions on that development in Los Angeles county today, because we neglected our waterfront in the days when we had to opportunity to do so cheaply."

February 10, 1926, San Diego Union, 4:1. EDITORIAL: A Necessary Vision

A city plan is in danger of becoming merely everybody’s business and no matter how enthusiastically we may adopt the Nolen plan, we shall certainly find individuals coming forward in the future to seek special privileges and modifications of the plan in their own interest. If this plan is allowed to lapse into a hazy commonplace some of these requests will be granted; and, sooner or later, somebody will put a fish cannery in the park or a brewery --- near beer, of course --- on the esplanade.

February 10, 1926, San Diego Union, 22:4. Park college site argued at Kiwanis Club meeting yesterday; Fred E. Lindley for and George W. Marston against.

Mr. Lindley, in advocating the placing of the college in the park stressed the fact that location is a vital factor to a college. He pointed out that the proposed site would be accessible to automobiles and street cars and that a great many students could live within walking distance of that site. He also declared that the fact that Balboa park has an interesting museum would be an asset to a college placed in the park.

Mr. Marston told of the action of the city trustees 60 years ago in which the ground now known as Balboa park was set aside for park purposes. He quoted the trustees in their resolution that this property "be for a park." He also pointed out that four years later, after the legislature passed an act creating the park, an effort was made to cut off 480 acres.

In his remarks Mr. Marston made a strong plea for keeping a part of the park in its natural state. He showed that San Diego must protect and conserve its wild land; that California in the future will be so developed that it would be a shame not to preserve this land.

"I am sorry," said Mr. Marston, "for the man who does not know something of the east side of the park. I am sorry for the man who does not know something of the wild flowers and of nature."

February 11, 1926, San Diego Union, 10:3. City Council to act soon on ordinance prohibiting heavy vehicles in Balboa Park.

February 14, 1926, San Diego Union, Society-Club, 9:2-4. Famous pieces of sculpture will be shown at Fine Arts Gallery when it is formally opened on February 27 including "Moses" by Ivan Mestrovic (illus.).

February 14, 1916, San Diego Union, Development, 8:4-7. The Bedrooms, by Richard S. Requa.

February 19, 1926, San Diego Union, 8:2-3. Mayor Bacon to accept statue of Saint James for St. Francis Chapel, Balboa Park; gift from George B. Dexter of Boston; was originally in the church of a university town in Spain.

February 21, 1926, San Diego Union, 1:8, 5:3-5. Art Gallery to open Saturday; gift from A. S. Bridges; sculpture and paintings to be displayed in park setting.

February 21, 1926, San Diego Union, 3:4-5. Attorney W. J. Mossholder wants State College in Balboa Park.

The present tendency is to make the public park more and more a place of intellectual recreation and information rather than a place of amusement. That is, the amusement feature is being overshadowed by the former.

Now, what is more fitting to carry out the idea of a park being an intellectual recreation center than to have a branch of the great institution of learning occupy a part of the park?

I call attention to the further fact that the buildings will occupy only a small part of the ground that will be donated.

If placed outside the park, or away from the city, dormitories will have to be built and experience has demonstrated the fact that immorality thrives where people are thrown in close contact as they are in dormitories.

I know of no reason why the people should not be permitted to decide this question . . . , and I therefore ask that the matter be submitted to a vote of the people.

February 21, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:4. Committees at Zoo are announced; Louis J. Gill, architect; John G. Morley, horticulturist; Kenneth Gardner, landscape architect.

February 21, 1926, San Diego Union, 11:1-5. Daniel Cleveland tells of strife over new courthouse in early days.

February 21, 1926, San Diego Union, Development, 8:2-4. Plumbing, by Richard S. Requa.

February 22, 1926, San Diego Union, Classified, 13:2-3. San Diego Zoo to propagate rare nilgai from India.

February 23, 1926, San Diego Union, 10:4. The first copy of the "San Diego Zoonoos" has just been issued.

February 24, 1926, San Diego Union, 12:3-5. Junior San Diego Players will present "Alice in Wonderland" at Yorick Theater Friday night.

February 26, 1926, San Diego Union, 28:2. Because of the dedication ceremony of the new Fine Arts building tomorrow afternoon, all automobile traffic east across Cabrillo bridge into Balboa park will be stopped from 2:15 p.m. until 4 p.m., the Park Board announced yesterday; west moving traffic over the Prado will be halted during the same hours at the East Plaza, adjoining the street car station.

February 27, 1926, San Diego Union, 1:8, 2:1-6. Park eliminated as site for State College; selection to be made next month; executive committee of Citizen’s Advisory Council to make recommendation to City Council next Tuesday; scores bickering.

Balboa park as a possible site for the new San Diego State College campus was definitely eliminated from consideration yesterday by the executive committee of the Citizen’s Advisory Council, which met to consider the various sites under discussion. The whole of the council, some 20 in number, will meet next Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock for a final inspection of all sites, except Balboa park. The executive committee then will meet next Thursday afternoon at 6 o’clock to select a site for recommendation to the whole council, which will be expected to receive the recommendation and make a decision before the middle of March.

At the meeting yesterday, Dr. E. L. Hardy, president of State College, presented a map which located the proposed sites and also showed the residences of the San Diego students attending the college, so that the committee can consider the new site in its relation to the density of the collegiate population.

The committee’s report, signed by six members of the committee who attended the meeting, is as follows:

In 1922, the president of the College prepared a building plan and program for the development on the present site of the State Teachers College of San Diego. This plan was submitted with the institutional budget for the period 1923-1925 to that state director of education, and received his general approval. It provided for the completion in 1929 of an appropriation schedule involving the construction of nine permanent structural units to cost considerably more than $1,000,000, crowded into every foot of available space on the campus, and designed to house 1500 college students and 500 or 600 training school children. Those items of the program which called for appropriations in 1923 were duly presented to the budgetary authorities of the state law in 1922, but received no consideration because of the policy of economy enforced in that year under the new budget established by vote of the people of the state.

Undoubtedly it was fortunate that the building program of 1923 was sidetracked by the financial policy of that year, for, in 1925, only two years later, it was clearly seen that the growth of the college demanded more land, far beyond the amount in the campus and in any neighborhood additions that could be made to the campus. A conservative appraisal of the two blocks on the west side of the campus put their cost at $150,000, a figure that would have to be doubled today, and one that puts an absolute negative upon any proposal that the college should stay where it is.

For in ten years, 1916 to 1926, the enrollment of the college had increased 300 percent. In the period 1920-1925, it has doubled. In the current year, 1925-1926, enrollment will exceed 1500. Set aside for 1929, in the planning of 1923, an average daily membership for the year, taken at its peak, will show the figure of _____. When it is remembered that the present campus contains only 17 acres of land, that expansion of the campus is impossible, and that 60 (?) acres for every 1,000 students in average daily membership is considered the maximum unit, then no argument is needed as to the necessity of the removal of the college to a new and adequate site.

Why then, say some, should not the state, the great rich state of California, provide the college with an adequate site? Unfortunately for those who make this demand, the fact is that the state of California always has referred, with rare exceptions, and always will refer, without any doubt in the future, the provision of the site for an educational institution to the community in which it is placed. Witness the very recent re-location of the University of California, southern branch, on a site of several hundred acres provided by the citizens of Los Angeles, and the eager competition of half a dozen communities, among them San Diego with an offer of several thousand acres, to secure the institution by generous gifts of land. As a matter of fact, now that San Diego has reached a crisis in the development of her collegiate future (a situation very well understood at Sacramento) the city stands a very good chance to lose the greater college proposed, either in whole or in part, if there is any serious thought of asking that state to provide a site, of if there is any failure on the part of San Diego to carry out these representations made at Sacramento in 1925 on the basis of which the California legislature and the governor of the state gave us the legislation for a greater San Diego State College. The meaning of that legislation, which was urged by practically every responsible official and civic individual and organization in San Diego, and to the carrying out of which every such individual and body implicitly gave his pledge of support, is simply this: that the state of California will undertake the establishment and maintenance of a regional college in San Diego --- an institution which will be of inestimable value to the community --- if San Diego will meet two conditions. First, San Diego must provide an adequate site. Second, San Diego should show good faith and to recompense the state for its investment on the present site, purchase that site and the buildings on it at such figure as will enable the state to start out on the new site with housing facilities equal to those which it now has.

This constitutes an opportunity for San Diego that is so great and involves civic problems that are relatively so simple, that it is fairly amazing that the main issues should now be jeopardized by the secondary issue of the site and by threats that the bond issue, which will represent a small initial investment made by San Diego for which she will secure a great and growing enterprise, will be defeated by any group that does not have its way as to the selection of the site. The citizens’ executive committee, therefore, wishes to state unequivocally the position that it takes, viz., that the issue of exact site is secondary; that the finally acceptable site must be accepted as practically the unanimous action of the community because it is not the community but the state which finally will approve of and select the site for the college, and the state has announced, through those officials whose word is final, that no site in controversy will be approved.

It must not be forgotten that the college is not a local, but is a state institution. The community, therefore, cannot be, and much less can any minority in the community, be the dictator in this matter of site. The problem of the community is to offer a site which the state can accept as reasonably adequate for the functions of the college as a state institution.

What are the functions of this state college? They are twofold:

First, to prepare teachers for the public schools of the state of California.

Second, since the California standard for the preparation of teachers necessitates a liberal arts foundation for the professional preparation of teachers, to maintain regular liberal arts curricula of two, three or four-year types.

To put in the other way round, California has decided that the teacher should have the same collegiate preparation for his or her professional training as the lawyer, the doctor or the engineer. This being the case, the ‘teachers’ college’ becomes first of all a college and, as such, should be made available, in its appropriate region, to all the youth in that region who wish to take the collegiate studies foundational in all the professions. But it offers these opportunities as a state and not as a local college. The benefits are available locally, but they are not, and cannot be, locally controlled.

Does San Diego want these benefits? That is beyond question. But the conditions upon which these benefits may be secured have temporarily been lost sight of in the heat of the controversy that has arisen over the secondary issue of the location of these benefits.

They should be located at the central point of the city with reference to transportation and population, and that central point is clearly Balboa park, say the many proponents of the park as the site par excellence for the college. The argument is very plausible, and has been made very appealing, but it proves too much. For the very same argument has been used, and just as legitimately (and with the result that they are now in the park) for the location in Balboa park of the following institutions:

The Children’s Home, San Diego High School, Stadium, Roosevelt Junior High School, U. S. Naval Hospital, Exposition and its offspring, including Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Museum, Zoo, Natural History Museum, San Diego Gallery of Art, American Legion War Memorial Building.

For institutions that are not yet in the park, the argument has been used for the following, which is probably an incomplete list:

The city hall, federal building, county building, civic center, civic auditorium, ‘University of San Diego,’ state college.

For each and everyone of these institutions, the argument of ‘central location’ applies with practically equal force, and if this argument prevailed the result would be a reductio ad absurdum, viz. a complete disappearance of the park as park, and, just as deplorable, such a congestion of institutions and functions that automobile transportation with reasonable reach of the institutions would be impossible. It is not exaggeration to say that San Diego would be committing the ancient error exemplified in the Chicago ‘Loop,’ the only difference being a civic rather than a commercial congestion.

It is because the argument of ‘central location’ defeats itself that the best city planners of today advocate the reverse of the old notion of civic center --- of a civic center designed to be a kind of civic ‘ominium gatherum.’ The best city planning of today does not try to locate all major civic functions at the hub of the wheel (where motion is slowest) but on concentric circles, or at the appropriate strategic points of the city’s manifold operations --- commercial, recreational, educational, civic, etc. --- so that both the citizen and the businessman may have the square deal of equal opportunity, and there are many good, instead of a few, best corners.

What then, from both points of view, that of the innermost of the city’s concentric circles and that of strategic location, are the fundamental principles that should control in the allocation of functions and institutions in Balboa Park? Clearly they are: First, that the functions and institutions should be city functions and institutions; therefore, they should not be state and they should not be federal institutions and functions. Because of this principle, the placing in Balboa Park of the U. S. Naval Hospital undoubtedly was a mistake --- no so much of a mistake as the place there of the Marine Base and Naval Training Center would have been, since the area required by the hospital is relatively small, but a mistake, nevertheless, Fortunately, it was a mistake that has not entailed serious consequences and it serves as a valuable lesson.

The park belongs to the city of San Diego. The land was dedicated ‘to be for a park,’ for the people of San Diego and for their children forever. Is it not, therefore, the duty of all good citizens of San Diego to remember the purpose of this dedication, to hold fast to the principle and to resist all plans, however plausible, which would lead them to alienate any part of their park, or wrest it from its proper function? Functionally speaking, there is not doubt as to what the park is for. There it lies, midway between the commercial and industrial San Diego and the San Diego of homes, schools and churches --- its manifest destiny that of being itself a mediating home of the recreational and cultural soul of San Diego. It is the place for the recreation of the spirit and soul of San Diego, through San Diego’s own nurturing and her own institutions of music and art and science and all other kindred means, of the expression of San Diego’s better self.

To this end the park should contain a building like the new Fine Arts Gallery to house a musical conservatory which will serve the musical needs of the city as the Fine Arts Gallery serves the artistic needs of the city in pictorial art. It should also contain a lecture hall or auditorium which would be of civic service for public lectures and for extension work of the state college and the state university in taking advantages to the public not usually considered of school of college age. So much is so that when it is realized --- then the shrine of San Diego will be placed in Balboa Park. There it is that our mystic citizen should have a place to stand. Around him, then, let us group our memorials, and gather for our festivals, every keeping room for the more numerous and more needful citizens who are yet to come and for whom the living must not forget to speak.

We must remember, too, that we are of the nation and of the state as well as of the city, in all of this planing. As nationals, we have had a pretty clear vision, remembering that Uncle Sam visits us usually be water, and we have made him welcome with large and generous gifts and gestures by bay, shore and ocean front. The fact, then, that national activities at San Diego have been and are and will largely continue to be naval (even if aerial navigation be included) has indicated clearly the nature of our city planning with reference to national functions and institutions, and areas have been fund for them without question or controversy --- save in the case of the hospital, which is the exception proving the rule, and which, let us say again, fortunately does not seriously ‘hurt.’

We come now to the question of the proper placement in San Diego of the functions and institutions of the state of California. The question of the location of the state college has become a vexed question because a large group of us have become so habituated to the thought of the institution in San Diego that we think of it as of San Diego rather than of the state of California. As the college is, institutionally speaking, almost the sole representative of the state in San Diego, its location can and must be considered from the point of view of its function, which is educational in a state and not in a local sense. While it functions for the state in a regional way, the region which it serves and always must serve is large than the city of San Diego. While it is here, in the main, to give educational service to San Diego, yet its proper territory extends roughly from the Mexican line to San Juan Capistrano and from the Pacific to the Colorado river. As a junior college, it gives and should continue to give collegiate opportunity to the youth of the whole of San Diego County, and, as a prospective four-year college (which it will be if we do not lose the present propitious moment by a juvenile quarrel over the site) it must be the college for the larger area, which it now serves in its teacher-training capacity. Clearly then, in thinking of the college, the people of San Diego, while not forgetting that they receive the major portion of its benefits and at practically no local expense whatever, must have a vision of it and its reach not limited to the boundaries of the city of San Diego.

Conceived I this way, then, is it not inevitable that the college cannot go and should not go into Balboa Park, an area that is civic and should be kept inevitably civic --- not state and not federal? From this, the necessary and only correct point of view, many of the arguments that are used for putting the college into the park are really the strongest possible arguments against putting in into the park.

It is urged, for instance, that state buildings in the park would beautify the park. That very argument would be turned against use at Sacramento. Legislators from Los Angeles, Fresno and San Francisco can be heard even now asking why the state of California should be asked to make appropriations for the beautification of San Diego’s Balboa Park.

Again, it is urged that the state would relieve the city of the expense and improvement and upkeep of a considerable area in the park. Those who know how difficult it is to get any money whatever from the state for the improvement of land which, though occupied by the state, the state regards as essentially a local benefit, realize only too well that the state, if it followed its tradition, would expect the city to put in the improvements. Again, legislators from other cities would not be interested in making appropriations for a city park.

Finally, there comes the really vexing question of jurisdiction. A state college campus in a city park would be the soil in which many dragons’ teeth would be sown. Some misunderstandings and questions of jurisdiction would be inevitable, and it would be unfortunate, to say the least, if it ever should become necessary, as conceivably it might be, to make it clear where jurisdiction began and ended by the building about the college part of the park of a high metal fence. A city park is not the proper site of a state college. A state college should serve the city, not add to its problems, and colleges go, not where their problems may be complicated, but where they will be simplified.

What then shall San Diego do if it wishes to keep the college? (Surely it will keep the college unless it is so unwise as to refuse a gift and reject a benefit!) The problem cannot be solved by doing nothing. The do-nothing policy (echoes of which have been heard) simply would result in leaving the whole issue stranded on the impossibly small island of the present site. Upon that area, at best an isolated teacher-training institution, not a college, can be maintained. The collegiate function of the institution inevitably will be thrown back upon the people of San Diego, and it will be San Diego’s business to find a site for its own college, build the plant, maintain it to the extent of 50 (?) percent of the operating cost, and limit its service to two years of collegiate education instead of four.

If San Diego wants the college, San Diego will go bravely on, not faltering in carrying out the policy which was so unitedly envisioned by her citizens in January 1925, when city officials, school officials, civic bodies and citizens generally stood as one man back of our representatives in the California legislature in their successful efforts to pass the college bill. San Diego, for moral reasons alone, simply must not fail to carry out in good faith, the well-understood provisions of that bill, all of which turn upon the vital point of an adequate site --- a site for a state college.

(Signed)

JOSEPHINE SEAMAN

MRS. A. MUEHLEISEN

MRS. WALTER AUSTIN

G. A. DAVIDSON

M. L. WARD

E. L. HARDY, Secretary.

February 27, 1926, San Diego Union, 4:1. EDITORIAL: A Tradition

The Fine Arts Gallery carries on a tradition that began at the Organ Pavilion with its daily ministration of beautiful things. Or perhaps the tradition took foot in our park long before there was any Organ Pavilion there, or any lawns and trees --- when the vista of hill and canyon and the sea beyond stirred some men to that inspiration that comes from nature.

February 27, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:1. Ex-mayor Capps testifies that legal authority in 1899 declared that city’s water rights were inviolable.

February 27, 1926, San Diego Union, 12:2-3. Many attend Fine Arts Gallery preview.

San Diego’s social and artistic leaders gathered in the new Fine Arts Gallery in Balboa Park last evening to have a glimpse of the beautiful gift of Mr. and Mrs. Appleton S. Bridges before the gallery and its art treasures are thrown open to the public this afternoon. It was an important event in the cultural life of the city, the greatest stride forward in the history of San Diego as an art center.

All evening the spacious lobby and the beautiful galleries were filled with people who were opening expressing their delight in the perfection of the building’s design and arrangement and in the paintings, sculptures, tapestries and art objects that made up the inaugural exhibit. No part of the gallery was neglected, though the galleries devoted to the fine examples of ancient Spanish painting and examples of early Spanish decoration seemed to be particularly popular.

During the evening Mr. Bridges appeared on the grand staircase and introduced to the gallery, Reginald Poland, who spoke briefly in welcome of the visitors, in appreciation of the gift of the gallery, and in explanation of the plan of the inaugural exhibition and some of its outstanding masterpieces.

In welcoming the people to the gallery, Mr. Poland expressed the hope that its beauty and its perfection will be an inspiration but not at the expense of a friendly feeling for the building and its treasures. Often, he said, pure beauty, such as in embodied in the gallery, so dominates visitors that they fail to enjoy it with informal pleasure. It is, he said, the realization of an ideal for San Diego, and as such should be loved by every person interested in the artistic progress of the city.

He then outlined the ideal of the first exhibition, its attempt to stress Spanish and American art and the examples of the art of other nations that have contributed most importantly to the art of these two nations. He took the visitors through an imaginary tour of the galleries, calling attention to first one and then another example of art typical of the period, the artist, or the artistic influences of a period or a people. He called especial attention to the Mestrovic sculptures, quoting Rodin that Mestrovic is the greatest living sculptor. He himself expressed the opinion that the Mestrovic drawings are as fine as any drawings ever made.

He told of the modern works of France, Spain, England and the United States and the spirit which had animated the particular artists whose works were on exhibition. He called attention to the modern Spanish groups and expressed the highest regard for the examples on display. He concluded with a plea that the people of San Diego should enjoy the beneficence of Mr. and Mrs. Bridges and the artistic genius of the architects, William Templeton Johnson and Robert Snyder; that they should help others to enjoy it by joining the Fine Arts Society, which is sponsoring and directing the functions of the gallery. He expressed especial gratitude to the donors of several collections of sculptures and paintings and for the cooperation and generosity of individuals and museums that have loaned numerous paintings and sculptures for this first exhibition.

In the receiving line were Mr. and Mrs. Appleton S. Bridges, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Dorland, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Davidson, W. H. Sallmon, Reginald Poland and Thomas Drummond.

The formal dedication and opening of the Fine Arts Gallery will take place this afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, with a brief and appropriate ceremony. The keys of the building will be turned over to the city by Mr. Bridges. Mr. Johnson will tell about the building itself and will pay tribute to the men who actually built it. Director Poland will speak briefly on the opportunity the gallery means to San Diego. The main address of the afternoon will be delivered by Frank Morley Fletcher, who will speak on "The Basis of Popular Judgment in Art."

Following the ceremonies, the building will be thrown open to the public, and it will be open free of charge daily except Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30, and Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m.

February 28, 1926, San Diego Union, Development, 11:2-5. Halls and Garages, by Richard S. Requa.

February 28, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:4-6. Bondo, star simian at Zoo, observes 5th birthday with party.

February 28, 1926, San Diego Union, 14:2-5. Fun zone at Mission Beach open to public today.

February 28, 1926, San Diego Union, Classified, 1:8, 3:4. San Diegans see new Fine Arts Gallery; donors turn keys to Gallery over to City.

BALBOA PARK HISTORY

1926

MARCH

March 1, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:3. One every six seconds enters Natural History Museum; Society’s report stresses need of new fireproof building.

March 2, 1926, San Diego Union, 1:7. Expect $750,000 hospital annex to be authorized in park at once; deed for city property forwarded to capital by Admiral Robertson yesterday; plans and specifications ready for actual construction.

March 5, 1926, San Diego Union, 8:1-2. Chamber of Commerce gives Nolen’s city plan united approval.

March 5, 1926, San Diego Union, 8:4. Amphion Club local artists’ concert at Yorick Theater pleases audience.

March 6, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:6. Sunset Cliffs subdivision will be opened this afternoon; John P. Mills, head of organization, selling property.

March 7, 1926, San Diego Union, 18:8. Thousands see presentation of Spalding Park between ocean front boulevard and breakers and nearly a mile in length; Councilman Stewart receives deed for city at opening of cliffs’ tract.

March 7, 1926, San Diego Union, Classified, 1:4, 2:3. Tam Deering, playground director, thinks directors won’t remove him; says he doesn’t care to remain in office if his new policies are thrown out; thinks playgrounds should team up with schools.

March 7, 1926, San Diego Union, Development, 10:2-4. Planting the Home Plot, by Richard S. Requa.

March 7, 1926, San Diego Union, Development, 10:5. Presidio Hills development calls for ambitious parking along Nolen’s plans; new residential subdivision includes 70 acres; 78 lots in tract; George W. Marston one of the members of the syndicate.

March 7, 1926, San Diego Union, Development, 13:1-5. Architect Edgar V. Ullrich, designer of Casa de Manana, announces plans for Seville apartments which will grace Prospect Street (drawing).

March 8, 1926, San Diego Union, 5:4-5. Natural History Museum finds $200 lot donated in 1876 today is appraised at $60,000; Society has title to Hotel Cecil property.

March 8, 1926, San Diego Union, 7:1-2. Junior Zoological Society Hears Interesting Lecture on Monkey Tribe; Keeper Shows Remarkable Specimen and Tells Interesting Story of Its Habits.

The meeting of the Junior Zoological society was held Saturday afternoon in the O’Rourke Zoological institute building, Balboa Park, under the direction of Miss Helen Huberty. Fred Chatten, keeper of monkeys in the zoo, gave an interesting talk on the monkey tribe in general and on the putty-nosed monkey in particular. He showed a specimen of this remarkably marked monkey and gave the ch