Change of Location of the Pacific Press Publishing Company.
OVER twenty-five years ago the Pacific Press Publishing Company was incorporated and established its business at Oakland, Cal. Since that time there has been a wonderful growth, both in the business of the company and the city itself. When the buildings were erected at the corner of Twelfth and Castro Streets, they seemed to be out in the country, as there were but very few houses within several blocks. But the city has grown, and now we find ourselves in the heart of a large city, bidding fair to rival San Francisco, just across the bay.
The institution was established primarily as a religious publishing house, but, in the early stages of the work, it seemed to be necessary to take in some commercial work in order to keep the hands steadily employed and the machinery moving. This served the good purposes of instruction as well as financial assistance, but several years ago it was seen that the commercial work was assuming such large proportions that it was interfering more or less with our religious and evangelical work. It was also bringing into our office a spirit of worldliness and commercialism which was not concordant with the spirit of our work.
For over two years it has been a decided and declared purpose, according to clear Gospel light, to minimize and eliminate commercial work, and move the office to some rural district, away from the demoralizing and corrupting influences of these large cities.
At the annual meeting of the stockholders held in Oakland, Cal., April 28, 1902, the following action was taken:—
That we instruct the incoming Board of Directors to make a continuous effort to reduce commercial work and develop the publication of religious, educational, and health literature.
Also, That we recommend that the incoming Board of Directors dispose of the plant as a whole, or in part, as Providence may open the way.
We also recommend that, in case the plant is sold, a smaller plant be established in some rural district convenient for our denominational work, for the training and education of missionaries.
The foregoing action was reaffirmed at the annual meeting of the stockholders held last year.
Since that time the Board of Directors have not been idle by any means. At different times negotiations have been entered into with various parties, but, somehow, in every instance, some compromise of pure Gospel principles was involved, and the negotiations came to naught. Nevertheless, we have tried to heed the instruction concerning the matter of curtailing commercial work and giving more attention to our special religious work, with very satisfactory results. We are pleased to say that our religious work is increasing right along, and the outlook is very encouraging.
Until quite recently we have felt that we could not move into the country until we sold this plant, buildings and all, but the way having been hedged up, it has been finally decided to consider the advisability of moving the plant (machinery, etc.) and selling the buildings when we could.
The buildings are in a splendid location, viewed simply from a business standpoint, and there is no question but what they can be disposed of to advantage as soon as they are vacated.
As this question has been agitated, different places have been suggested by different ones, and all have received careful consideration.
In making a move of this kind several points must be taken into consideration.
First, we were instructed to establish our plant in some rural district, away from the large cities with their temptations and allurements, and the trouble that is coming upon them.
Second, railroad facilities must be regarded, for at the present time we are using nearly two carloads of paper per week. Our mail and express business is also quite heavy and must be handled promptly. Banking privileges should also receive consideration.
Third, while we are looking out for the interests of the institution, we must also bear in mind the interests and welfare of our employees. We might find some place quite suitable for the factory as far as shipping facilities, etc., are concerned, but not at all desirable for our employees.
In the investigations that have been made, all these questions have been borne in mind, and the directors have finally decided to locate the plant at Mountain View, Cal., about thirty-nine miles south of San Francisco and eleven miles from San Jose, on the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad running into San Francisco. It is a rural district and a desirable location, not only for the plant but also for our employees, as it is right in the fruit belt of the famous Santa Clara Valley, and land is quite reasonable.
The incorporated town of Mountain View has about 800 inhabitants, but it is surrounded by small holdings of five, ten, fifteen, and twenty-acre tracts, and settled up with a good class of people. Fruit of all kinds, and the finest varieties, are raised in this valley.
We have been very fortunate in securing for the factory a tract of five acres, fronting on the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad and near the station. The citizens of Mountain View have raised money to purchase this land, and have put in a switch and side-track, so that material can be loaded and unloaded right from the cars without hauling by team. This property has been donated to the Pacific Press Publishing Company. The citizens will also donate $200 to purchase a lot on which to build our church.
To further show the interest on the part of the citizens of Mountain View in this matter, we quote the following from a letter just received from the Board of Trade of that place:—
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., OAKLAND, CAL.
Dear Sirs: The Board of Trade of Mountain View desires to express to you its pleasure in the knowledge of the fact that your publishing plant is to be removed to Mountain View in the near future, and that you are to become permanent residents of our thriving town. At its regular meeting, held Thursday evening, January 21, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:—
WHEREAS, The Pacific Press Publishing Company, of Oakland, has decided to move its entire publishing plant to this city,
Be It Resolved, That we hereby extend to them a cordial welcome as members of our community, That we shall at all times be ready and willing to extend to them every courtesy and consideration, collectively and individually.
That the secretary be instructed to mail a copy of these resolutions to the Pacific Press Publishing Company.
Respectfully yours,
[Signed] H. G. COPELAND, Secretary.
The Pacific Press, Present Home of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
Mountain View is near the lower end of San Francisco Bay, and there is a little inlet that runs up to within two miles of the city, capable of floating boats of 200-tons burden, thus giving us water competition. Fourteen passenger trains pass Mountain View each way every day, and ten of them stop.
We recognize the fact that this is a very important move, and that it means much to the institution, but it is right in line with the light which God has given through His word, and we confidently believe that He will signally bless the effort. Indeed, we have already had remarkable evidences of His approval.
In moving to Mountain View, it is our purpose to eliminate commercial work, at least to a great extent. Our whole purpose, time, and attention will be given to the extending and building up of our evangelical business. In doing this, it can readily be seen that it will be absolutely necessary so to arrange matters that this work will be placed on a paying basis.
Heretofore we have depended too much upon our commercial work to furnish the funds necessary to support the religious business, on which there has been invariably a loss. This must now be changed, for we know that our patrons and friends do not wish to see the office running behind from year to year.
Plans have already been inaugurated with a view to placing the work on a paying basis, and we now ask for the hearty co-operation of our brethren and sisters and friends everywhere in helping to make these plans effective for Christ and His cause. And, above all, we want your prayers and your counsel. The work is one, and we desire to unite our efforts13with yours in trying to get the truth of the everlasting Gospel before the people in the shortest possible time. We believe that "the pillar of cloud is rising," and it is time for God's people to "move forward."
We are nearing the end of the age. "Evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." Strife and violence are increasing on every hand. And all this will be manifest in the greatest degree in the great centers of congested population—the cities. There wickedness will revel more and more in highhanded, shameless outrage. There first must the judgments of a merciful God fall. And all this is faithfully set forth in the "more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light, that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts."
We believe that our brethren and sisters everywhere will rejoice with us in the move which the Pacific Press is about to make.
Buildings must be erected, and we do not expect we shall be able to move till next July or August, but the work will be pushed forward as rapidly as possible.
C. H. JONES,
General Manager.
Site of the Future Home of the Pacific Press, at Mountain View, Cal.
