In January, 1914, the United Properties Company and the F. M. Smith advisory committee completed the legal formalities which conveyed to George G. Moore and associates the control of the San Francisco-Oakland Terminal Railways. Mr. Moore at once assumed control, management and operation of these railways. To accomplish this result it was found necessary to separate the railroad property from the United Properties Company. At the same time Mr. Moore and his associates undertook the re-financing, development and advancement of the United Light and Power Company and the Union Water Company as soon as they could be separated from the United Properties Company.

The most important aspect of the Oakland public library is the vast extension of its fields of operation. It has become an aggressive medium for the dissemination of information-an adjunct to the public schools and the masses as well as the classes. More readily and certainly to accomplish this amplification the books, pictures and newspapers are placed in ten branch libraries and six deposit stations throughout the city, and at all times the library and its branches, by means of the telephone and otherwise, are in immediate contact with students, scholars and specialists. The public have learned to ask Librarian Greene and his courteous assistants for information on any and all subjects and are rarely disappointed in securing what they want. Under perfect system and with a complete knowledge of what is on the shelves, the staff day and night direct searchers after specific information to the particular book or illustration required. There is no limit or abridgment of the subjects covered by answers to questions. Politics, civics, esthetics, economics, statistics-all covered, in several cases with separate and distinct departments. The civics department was established when the new city charter was adopted, as a consequence of constant inquiry for information bearing upon municipal management. Other departments and special purposes are served. The city museum is now an adjunct of the library and is equipped to aid in the spread of knowledge.

CHAPTER XXI

THE SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS

Livermore proper was founded in 1869 upon the completion of the Central Pacific Railway to that point, but settlers were there long before that date. In 1850, Alphonso Ladd settled in the Sunol valley and in the spring of 1864 preempted a quarter section and erected a small dwelling at what became Laddsville and later a part of Livermore. He soon built a large frame hotel which was burned down in 1867. Adam Fath settled near him and Alexander Mesa, a Spaniard, opened a saloon. Henry Goetjen started a store in 1865. Others came and a private school was started in 1866 with Miss Esther Weeks as teacher. The first public school was opened in December, 1866, by J. M. Guinn, teacher. In 1868 R. I. Graham, from Hayward, opened a general store, Anton Bardellini started a restaurant and a Mr. Elliott established a livery stable. After this date the village grew rapidly.

During the summer of 1869 the track of the Central Pacific Railway was laid through the valley and the station was located about half a mile west of Laddsville. The first train arrived in August. In July, 1869, William M. Mendenhall, who owned a large tract of land west of Laddsville, transferred twenty acres to the railroad company and there the station was located and the town of Livermore laid out and named for Robert Livermore the first settler of the valley. In 1870 the old arena where the bullfights had been held was still standing at Laddsville. Among the early industries and improvements were the following: Livermore Springs Water Company; Waterman & Co.'s warehouse; Horton & Kennedy's lumber yard; John Sylward's carriage factory; the Livermore Brewery; the Olivina vineyard. Petroleum was early discovered near Livermore and coal became a valuable asset. From 1870 to 1872 the population doubled and business became extensive and profitable. The Enterprise was established in 1874, and became the Herald in 1877 under W. P. Bartlett. In 1875 the water company brought water from the Las Pocitas springs. The village was incorporated in April, 1876, and first covered 840 acres. The Waterman brick block was built in 1874. In the fall of 1869 Livermore had a population of about seventy-five. Coal was first found at Harrisville and in 1875 the Livermore Coal Company was formed. Other shafts were opened from time to time along the ridges and valleys at Corral Hollow. Laddsville was nearly all burned down in 1871. The Fire Company was organized about 1874-75. Mathews and Hilton ran a line of stages from Livermore by way of Pleasanton, Dublin and Danville to Mount Diablo. Livermore Grange was established in 1874. A bank was started about 1875. The same year the Livermore library was founded. Various lodges and societies made their appearance at this time. The town even had a dramatic association. Livermore valley hay became famous at an early date; also its wheat, barley, grapes and wine. The Farmers' Union