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Although San Mateo County's natural beauties and advantages have been the
prime factors of development; the progressive spirit manifested by the people,
and the activity of the county's various promotion organizations have been the
actual moving forces behind the phenomenal development which has taken place
during the last few years. The achievements of the San Mateo County Development
Association command particular attention.
This aggressive association is the most important of these organizations in the
county. It was organized in April, 1910 by the public spirited citizens of the
county, primarily to obtain better transportation facilities and lower rates,
and in general to develop the resources and advertise the natural advantages of
the county.
The first activity of this body was to commence an action against the Southern
Pacific Company for lower rates, which resulted in material reductions on all
classes of tickets. Half-fare rates for school children were obtained on the
line running through the county.
The most herculean task undertaken, was initiating and carrying through the
campaign for a one million two hundred and fifty thousand dollar bond issue for
good roads, which was carried by a vote exceeding four to one. This .vas
accomplished in less than a year from its inception, and with an actual campaign
of public speaking that covered only one month.
One of the great public accomplishments engineered by the Association was in
connection with the eighteen million dollar state highway bond issue, when on
August 7, 1912, at their invitation, the first shovelfull of earth was turned
over in San 'Mateo County by Burton A. Towne, chairman of the California State
Highway Commission. This ceremony took place in San Mateo County, at San Bruno,
on the State Highway, at a point just opposite Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Among the other public benefits inaugurated and successfully carried through by
this body, was the formation of the motor bus transportation service, known as
the Peninsula Rapid Transit Company which filled a long-felt want for better
transportation facilities.
Among other activities which this body was instrumental in bringing about, was a
tour of inspection by the Congressional Rivers and Harbors Committee to pass
upon the merit of the county's harbor projects. Innumerable other undertakings
for the general upbuilding
of the community have also been fostered and carried to a successful conclusion.
A high-water mark of community publicity has been reached and maintained, which
is regarded with envy by other county commercial organizations, and is
considered a standard for imitation by all such bodies. As a result of the "get
together spirit" manifested by San Mateo County, this community is now being
carried forward upon a flood tide of prosperity and ever increasing popularity.
This is largely the direct result of the untiring efforts of the San
Mateo County Development Association.
The officers of this body are as follows: M. B. Johnson, President, (Montara); Asa Hull, Vice-President, (San Carlos); Frank L. Eksward, Secretary-Manager,
(San Mateo); and S. D. Merk, Treasurer, (Burlingame).
The Board of Directors is as follows: D. G. Doubleday, (Millbrae); W. A. Brewer, (Hillsborough); W. H. Brown, (San Mateo); J. T. Casey, (Colma); WV. O. Graiber, (Lomita Park); F. A. Cunningham, (South San Francisco);
W.
J. Martin, (South San Francisco);
J. M. Custer, (San Bruno); D. A. Deleau. (Redwood City); T. Masterson, (San
Mateo); Dr. C. L. Morgan, (Halfmoon Bay); C. M. Morse, (San Mateo); E. M. Moores, (Burlingame); Henry Marcus, (Redwood City); H. C. Tuchsen, (Redwood
City); and Charles L. Biebel, (Daly City).
Various other organizations throughout the county, of which there are a large
number, consisting in part of urban improvement clubs, women's clubs,
city-beautiful organizations, 'entertainment committees, merchants'
associations, and chambers of commerce of the various. cities, have all been
active in successful development work.
The occasions and events in which the activities of these various bodies were
manifested, have been state highway parades, flower days, county days, city
fetes and many other such celebrations taking place within the boundaries of the
county. The "Good Roads Day" was an occasion never to be forgotten when the
county-wide agitation was in progress to improve the highway system. At this
time, visitors from Santa Clara County were entertained, and ways and means
discussed with the Santa Clara delegates as to mutual county cooperation to
secure a better highway system.
Probably there is not a county in California that is accomplishing more general
development work than San Mateo. Scores of homes are being erected, schools are
being urged and built, churches are undergoing alterations, city streets are
being improved, store buildings are going up, and the county highway work is
being steadily e tended.
As a direct result of all this activity, the county has manifested a phenomenal
growth. Every merchant, property owner, and commuter tell the same tale of
progress.
Statistics on the population of the county, dating back fifty-six years,
illustrate what has been accomplished. In 1860 the population was 3,214; in
1870, 6,335; in 1880, 8,609; in 1890, 10,087; in 1900, 12,094; and in 1910,
26,585. The population for 1916 is estimated from 35,000 to 42,000.
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