Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • Page 16

VOL. GXXIV THREE CENTS-SUNDAY TEN CENTS OAKLAND; CALIFORNIA, SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1936 NO. 152 of Sydney, Stephen Nolan, the Phillips who is State president of the Young Republicans of California, a post-meeting check of the ages of some of the delegates notice given to Hatfield Merriam left the State to be present at the American Legion Convention, although the law requires the lieutenant governor to take over the reins of government in such a case. hardships of a tour never kept him from, the classrooms and the lecture platforms, and it was not unusual for him to keep a morning speaking date at a small school on a day when he had both matinee and night performances to give. Ben Greet was introduced to America through the agency of Minnie Palmer, one of the bright lights of the eighties in California, the days when every troupe played Nevada City, Grass Valley and.

other towls that are now skipped by the road shows. She went to England in 1883 and hired Sir Philip for her supporting troupe. The following year he played with Lawrence Barrett and later with Mary Anderson. The tales they told him of the United States made it a goal for him, and, while he spent a good many years in England under his own management, he finally reached America in 1902 with "Everyman." For the next twelve years he spent the bulk of his time over here, and scarcely a season passed since that era that he did not include America in his teur. He was knighted in 1929, and his last stage appearance was a year ago 'in a revival of "The Miracle Man." But until a few days before his death his shock of white THE" SPECIAL legislative session disposed of the Governor's "fourteen point program with a business-like dispatch which was pleasing to those who had feared prolonged debate over matters controversial.

But the same speed arid easy-going manner which brought the session to- a quick finish was viewed with apprehension by those members who looked ahead to the regular session next January and considered the financial problems which must be faced at that time. The Assembly approved the Hornblower amend--ments to the old age relief bill in-record time and by unanimous vote without asking a single question about where the money is coming from to finance the measure which will cost the State nearly six million dollars for the biennium. In the Senate it was pointed out that the most favorable estimate of the State's deficiency at the end of this fiscal year is $41,000,000, and the old age relief amendments will add to that deficiency because the administration had failed to suggest new tax revenues to meet the addVional cost. But the upper house approved the bill by a large majority vote. Observers looking towards the next regular session predict a tremendous battle over the fiscal policy of the State, and they have not been heartened by the free spending attitude taken at the special session.

With corporation, franchise, inheritance, income and sales taxes already' fixed at rates which are among the "highest in the United -States, it will be difficult to boost them still higher to; meetthe needg-wfacfr-will bje necessary ifiny- attempt'" -is-'going'to "Be 'State's' budget. The sitiuatign-is made more pre-1 carious by fhTTererendum measures -on the rNoVember, ballot -dealing with the sales and income taxes, if the peopifrepeal these two sources of Income, the financial position of the State will indeed be dangerous, and the Legislature will face the difficult problem of trying to find enough money, for biennium needs plus the cash needed to wipe out the deficiency. hairjind his cheery smile were much in evi- at London first-nights. His last visit to America also brought him to the bay region. That was four years ago.

Books and Writers ALL BUT FANTASTIC is the tale behind the publication of "California in the a book of fifty views of cities and mining towns of the West. The pictures were originally drawn on stone by Kuchel and Dresel and other early San Francisco litho-grapherand tlie introduction and explanatory text is by Douglas S. Watson. Story has it the artists became friends of Henry Kenit-zer, noted architect, who acquired a large collection of their work. When he died the collection could not be found.

He did possess, however, an old-fashioned combination desk and bookcase which was moved and handed about and finally came into possession of a friend of the family. Children in the home of this friend, playing about the desk, touched a secret spring, and prints and notes spilled out. There were fifty lithographs and among the finest of a period. A strange tale this and a true one of the rescue of something old and priceless. "Snake Bit a story of Death Valley and with a main character perhaps similar to Scotty of desert fame, is to be the latest novel frohi the pen of Dane Coolidge of Berkeley.

It is to appear in the Fall. Mr. Coolidge, Lionel Stevenson and Hildegarde Hawthorne, all of the East-bay, and known to letters, are to teach at the Mills College Summer Session. John Steinbeck, who has caused many to visit Monterey and look for the originajs in "Tortilla Flat," has as his latest book, out in July, "Cup of Gold," a life of the buccaneer, Sir Henry Morgan. James Rorty, one-time newspaper man hereabouts, has written a story dedicated to the thoughts of Americans after a depression.

News stories told of his arrest as an agitator at El Centro some time ago and hinted at some publicity angles. Veteran Player Oakland man who comes into the story, liv on Telegraph Road at about where 34th is now' cut through. Mr. Butterfield says: "He came to Oakland in early days and for a while worked for the Potter, estate, but started his nursery in about 1860 and continued in the nursery business until the late 70'sy-A catalogue of his for 1871 is in the daughter who lives in Berkeley and tells what species of eucalyptus were being handled by her father at that time. Another early nursery in what is now a part of Oakland was the Shell Mound Nursery near Brooklyn, operated by a Mr.

Washburn. A copy of this nursery catalogue for 1856 is in the Bancroft Library at the University of California and lists the eucalyptus at Still another bit of evidence has been offered by the late Charles H. Shinn, whose father operated a nursery at Niles in early-days. The old home, built in the 50's, still stands at the Shinn place near NilesThe letter from Charles Shinn statedthat Colonk Warren, editor of the California Farmer, 'widely advertised and distributed seeds, especially E. globulus, in But a copy of Warren and Sons' catalogue for 1853-54 in the Bancroft Librarydoes not include the eucalyptus, but does list four species of acacias.

It is easy to understand that with the gold rush many Australians came to California, and doubtless some of these brought over Australian seeds, possibly the eucalyptus being among those, and California nurserymen soon learned where to get the seed." Bishop Taylor's Gift IN THEN EUCALYPTUS "story" Bishop Wjl- I liam has large 'acefA1 to how many others were among the pioneer horticulturists those who have old catalogues and documents may supply an answer. Of Bishop Taylor, Mr. Butterfield writes: "A pamphlet issued at theXentcnary Memorial Service held for -Bishop Taylor at Mountain View Cemetery May 22, 1921, gave a number of facts about the? Ravels of Bishop Taylor and his part in the introduction of the eucalyptus. Bishop Taylor did not go to Australia until .1863 and, according to one, of the Bishop's children, began iri 1863 ana1 Continued in later yearsto send seed of the eucalyptus. But Bishop Taylor did not leave San Francisco until 1856 and was not in Australia until the eucalyptus was widely distributed in California.

We can give due credit to him for sending seeds to his wife iri Alameda. His children did plant the seed; and also his wife and J. T. Stratton, who at one tirrie was Surveyer-General of California, planted large amounts of the seed sent by Bishop Taylor, according to the statement in the booklet mentioned. Mr.

Stratton did this work mostly from 1870 on for about ten years. For several years Mr. Stratton advertised 200,000 eucalyptus trees for sale and also had two groves "near Ilay-ward totaling 130,000 trees. These were planted in 1870. At one time the eucalyptus trees were tested out in Alameda County for telegraph poles.

But all of this was several years after the first eucalyptus trees were planted in We might also add that a tree which the children planted is still standing in Alarneda, on Central Avenue on the south side of the street, just east of Park Avenue. This tree ha's been reported to be at least 68 years old. But there are three eucalyptus trees at Hall's Station, about a mile east of Alvarado, planted by John Hall in 1865, which are still in good health. Other old eucalyptus trees are also known. All of these old trees almost without exception are the Blue Gum, Eucalyptus Globulus, But other species were being sold as early as 1857 and 1858.

Sometime the writer hopes to tell more about the ornamentals being sold in California before 1860. A total of ten logues published in California 1860 have been located. The Lisbon lemon, Stre-litzia Reginae (Bird of Paradise) and Eugenia Jambos were listed by Warreri and Sons of Sacramento as early as 1853. The writer is still looking for more old catalogues and would be glad to have readers report these, also any old trees still living whose age is definitely known. By a careful study of these old publications we can still pay tribute to our pioneer horticulturists." Youngest Delegate WHEN CALIFORNIA'S Republican delegation to the National Convention held its recent organization meeting at Hotel Del Monte there, was considerable discussion as to what honors should be bestowed upon-, the younger members of the and- finally Chairman Chester IT.

Rowell called for an expression of opinion from the youngest member. Although he referred to James H. revealed there were others present who were so close1 to Phillips that hey might have, answered without embarrassment. Both Phillips and Franklin Donnell of Los Angeles have passed their thirty-first birthday anniversary, but Phillips was the younger by three months. Ralph Pletcher of Oakland is also in his thirty-first year, but celebrated his birthday in August, four months earlier than Phillips who is believed to be the youngest delegate ever to represent California at the National Convention.

The "younger element" was, incidentally, given ample honor at the meeting by the appointment of Edward Shattuck, president of the California Republican Assembly, to the important post jpf chairman of the resolutions and platform committee. Art and Opera CAN FRANCISCO has long boasted, and with reason, its lover for music, and this despite the fact there have been years when its symphony orchestra was allowed to lan guish. It has its memories of opera, stars discovered, and record attendances, and forj that which founds those memories, as well asf modern evidences, enjoys a wide reputation Success of the Van Gogh exhibit across the bay has caused the city to throw out its chesK with some pardonable self-consciousness and assert its claims as a center of art. More persons saw the paintings of the half-crazed and morbid Van Gogh, at the Palace of the Legion -of Honor, than looked upon them in New York. We attended some two hundred thousand strong and incidentally made books on Van Gogh best sellers for the period of the exhibition.

From attics on Russian and Telegraph Hills and from all parts of the State came those who would look at the portraits and symphonies in yellow. Wonderful, were the debates and illuminating the descriptions. As the crowds and acclaim came long after the struggling artist had given up" 'lie fight and departed. Our interest means more exhibits of importance perhaps Goya and they will be attended, as, was the Van Gogh one, with all the appurtenances of modern publicity. Back to opera: I find some hearty- applause for the San Francisco Opera Association's decision to give us next season, i in addition, to the subscriptions series of eleven nights when the plush and ermine is out in force, a separate series of three nights at popillar prices and with subdued emphasis upon raiment.

While the subscriptions guarantee the opera, make it possible, and do much to express a city's appreciation, the full voice of those who love music will be hjeard only when there are such popular nights as now are planned. Tried in New York, the innovation resulted in sell-outs for each performance. The Rare Ben Greet SIR PHILIP BEN GREET used to take a great deal of satisfaction in his declining years watching the flights of men and women who had taken their first steps under his guidance, but his fame won't rest on the fact that he. populated the stages of America and England with good actors and contributed many a reigning star to the screen. Ben reel's greatest contribution to the theater was in the fact that he brought to the colleges of America an appreciation and understanding of Shakespeare.

Year after year he (raveled across sea and continent to give his versions of the bard's works to students at Stanford, Mills, California and the College of the Pacific. No institution was too small to merit his attention, He traveled-light, preferred the outdoors to a regular paid his players little but taught them much. Teachers and students are going to miss the old gentleman, who died in an English nursing home at the age of 73, more than half a century of which was spent on the stage in the classics. He came by his love of Shakespeare naturally, for he was born aboard a recruiting ship on the Thames. His father, Captain William Greet, aimed him at the Navy, and he was educated at the Royal Naval School; but young Ben knew far more of Shakespeare than Bowditch when he was graduated, and he quickly altered his course, beginning his career as a tutor in a private school at Worthing.

Here Many Times NEVER A GREAT actor, Ben Greet over-' came the limitations of a lisping speech that became more pronounced. with years to achieve greatness. He Vas a frequent visitor in the bay area and a tireless worker. The A nnie Laurie SHE WAS KNOWN out here as Annie Laurie, and in the days when newspapers sent into the field women to interpret the sensational and the sentimental she was a pioneer in our scene. She exalted San Francisco, gave it her love and lavish praise, and for that the city across the bay acclaims her.

When the job came to her she did more than proclaim the virtues and glamor of a hilltop life which looked upon Golden Gate and remembered the men and incidents of stirring story. Though they may have been likened with newspaper battles and politics, she had part in civic reform. If she were also a sob sister, giving advice to the lovelorn, it was part of the. business which time and opportunity had bestowed. We have heard of her as one who went to Geneva to attend an international conference as a writer exposing the evils of the trade in narcotics and as one who, within the organization of her employment, won place and influence close to the throne.

Oldsters remember her in those days when she ventured into the campus of the University of California to write hiiman-interest tales. She was young and ''lovely, arid her stories possessed life. In day when he sympatheiicarn was new she burst into a startling popularity. I think her greatest job, despite the foreign and formidable signments, was "that 4tyhe she undertook, on orders, to expoafe condi.tpns4ibe'tergelTcy hospitals San Francisco. 'There were rumors afoot, and more than rumors.

Annie Laurie, dressed as a working girl, pulled a fake faint on the street and was moved into a hospital as a woman all but Her experiences there proved "the truth of the current tales they were desperate, and she called for aid. The stories Which followed worked reform, ran out officials and shocked a city. Of late we have known her as one fond of extolling the beauties and mysteries of her city, of recalling the romantic figures who moved in the scene. She' was a press agent for San Francisco, par excellence, and also a news writer of distinction. Our First Eucalyptus TIME WITHOUT number it has been said that Bishop Taylor brought the first eucalyptus to California.

So has it been Said that Columbus discovered America, though the land had been visited before. Any consideration of a "first" is dangerous, for with documents it may be shown someone was earlier than the recognized pioneer. We had the eucalyptus before Bishop Taylor, but he was a first in giving it place in our life. This is preliminary to. a letter of interest to all who love trees and our story.

I mentioned Bishop Tayloras we mention Columbus as the discovereras the man who brought the eucalyptus to California, and I have been corrected technically by an expert. H. M. Butterfield, specialist in agricultural extension, with no intent to quarrel, gives us some invaluable facts. He notes that the statement that Bishop Taylor was the first to bringthe trees here should not go unchallenged and cites evidence of earlier arrivals.

I will quote from his letter, briefing it: J. McClatchie stated in his bulletin, 'Eucalyptus Cultivated in the United States': 'It is reported that they were introduced into California in 1856 by Mr. Walker of San Francisco, and in that year 14 species were planted. In 1860 Stephen Nolan, a pioneer nurseryman of Oakland, being impressed with the rapid growth of the first trees and also with 'their evident adaptability to the climate, commissioned a sea captain sailing for Australian ports to secure any eucalyptus seed he could. A large supply was received "from this source and sown in 1861, and Mr.

Nolan continued to import the seed, it widely throughout the -State'." Oakland Had Part RECORDS SHOW that William C. Walker, who operated the Golden Gate Nursery in San Francisco at Fourth and Folsom, advertised the eucalyptus in the California Farmer in 1 857. Mr. Butterfield writes me that the Walker master catalogue, now in possession of Miss Alice Eastwood of the Academy of Sciences, Golden-Gate Park, lists three separate species of the tree. Another copy in the possession of the granddaughter of Captain Webber of Stockton bears out the story.

In that master it is even said that Walker got the seed from M. Guilfoyle T1 1 Qwnsen Vote COME OF THE legislative members who have been extending their re-election campaigns to include Townsend Club support found the Assembly resolution endorsing the plan a source of embarrassment when it came to the roll call. Attempts were made to block a vote on the endorsement by tabling the resolution. When the roll was called on the-tabling motion, the half-hearted Town-send supporters voted for it. The motion was lost and then the roll was called on the endorsement resolution itself.

Forced out into the open, the boys had to make a decision and many who had voted to table the resolu tion now voted to endorse the pension plan. Except for Assemblymen Leon Donihue who passed both votes, the Alameda County delegation answered the call as expected, Cas- sidy, Meehan and Wagner endorsed while Breed, Fisher and Johnson voted against it. Donihue experienced a hard setback a few minutes later when he was (failed upon to defend a resolution he introduced providing for appointment of a special committee to investigate the "useless and wasteful expenditure of money by various State departments of government." Assemblyman Fisher pointed to the fact that Donihue had been appointed' chairman of a' committee at the last regular session to investigate departments, and an appropriation of $5000 was made for him to carry on the work. When asked "by Fisher to point out to the Assembly two or three or even a single example of use- less and wasteful expenditure of money as a basis for appointment of a new committee, Donihue failed to give an answer. His resolution was killed by the vote which followed.

Hatfield's Call EGAL MINDS are wondering what action could have been taken by the Legislature at its special session had George J. Hatfield, lieutenant governor and president of the Senate, failed to make an appearance. Official notification of the special session is sent to every member by the Governor, and under the call his presence is required unless he is excused by the Senate or the Assembly. The sergeant-at-arms has great powers under the State law go, forth and fetch a member frofn wherever he may be. But Lieutenant Governor Hatfield did not receive either the letter sent out from the Governor's office warning the members to hold themselves in readiness for the session, or the telegram announcing the session was to be held last Monday.

He said he read about it in the newspapers, and thought it advisable to be present. His friends recall that no official ONCE AN ACTOR, always an actor, seems a likely paraphrase of the old Biblical statement, and the case of Melbourne Mac-Dowell attests it. He came to light at the Masonic Home in Decoto the other day a step this side of eighty, but just as interested in the theater as he was in 1899, when Amy Leslie wrote: "Melbourne MacDowell is Fanny Davenport's greatest work of art. He is today one of the handsomest, most forceful and influential actors on the stage. He has stepped into the shoes of John McCullough." Not only is the octogenarian hard at work on a life of his famous wife, but he is.

planning to assemble a group of actors from the ranks of his old friends in the bay area for regular entertainment at the Home. A picturesque figure, still straight and vigorous, his anecdotes of the sea and the stage are providing the residents of the Home with new interest, I am informed. MacDowell certainly has a store of personal reminiscence and, with his gifts as a raconteur and his talent for drama, life should take on new excitement for his aged colleagues in Decoto. He was a stowaway at 11, a second officer at 24, and for a quarter of a century Broadway's tallest and most 1 interesting actor. McClflknjfth picked him out of the super ranks they call' them extras' today and helped him to master stage technique.

Fanny Davenport aided him in rise to fame. And today, at 79, can add to his accomplishments as "stowaway, "sea captain, tragedian, motion picture actor, wrestler and boxer that of author -and producer. -THE KNAVE.