European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 7, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine no longer smug these old dwelling which gaze ooh Lily Over Alamo Square in san Francisco seem to have turned their backs on the both Century with victorian disapproval. San Francisco ponders its future by Robert Lindsey new York times w Hen the son Francisco opera cancel edits 1987 summer season recently Man people there viewed the decision a another sign mat the City had passed us prime according o feeders of the local arts Community so Many of san Francisco s largest and oldest employers have left town or run Inlo economic storms recently hat corporate contrib Lions to the aria have plummeted. Because o that the leaders say they Are being forced to trim the City s menu of cultural programs. Michael Gethrel Dir clot of development or the san Francisco symphony which cancelled a Lour of Irie soviet Union after local corporations showed Little interest in subsidizing it said it the business strength of san Francisco continues to weaken Well lose not Only dollars but also business leadership on out boards and As Volunteer fund raisers " these Days there is a great Deal of introspection in san Francisco about the City its View of itself and is  the last year or so. Studios have shown that san Francisco is losing economic ground of los Angeles and that its regional Economy has become Loo dependent on one bus Moss. The recently troubled High technology electronics Industry but now As awareness of these trends has set m. It has begun to affect the City s self image and ils self Confidence. For More than a Colury. Even ils longest Adwers would acknowledge there has been an air of smugness some critics would say arrogance in san Francisco that could seem As pervasive As the fog that shrouds rat sleep Hills on a Winter night perhaps this sense of self satisfaction has been there since the Gold Rush in those Days san Francisco emerged As the financial and cultural Centero the West win its natural Beauty inspiring such Awe that residents took it As an insult when visitors did not agree in Stanlly thai this was the grandest City in the world. Over the years san franciscans As a group have tended to View themselves of cultured refined and secure while disdaining fellow californians in los Angeles. 450 mites to the South As Brassy tasteless and shallow to Uvea tache Nicks just off a bus from Middle America. No one was surprised when businesses or corporations wanted to establish offices in san Francisco. Indeed they were considered Lucky to be Able to do so. Many people in san Francisco still feel thai Way. But there Are threads of a collective sense of insecurity beginning to appear in the fabric of san Francisco. In the last five years More than 30,000 jobs in banking finance and manufacturing have vanished there most o them lost to the suburbs 01 through she dismemberment of locally headquartered corporations through Seigars or acquisitions. Few major companies have moved to san Francisco to take their place. In Survey alter Survey corporate executives have described the City As a difficult place in which to do business because of red tape High taxes and a perception that the City gives a cold shoulder to business. Troubles a the Bank of America a company that More than any other symbolized the City s claim to being the Wall Street of the West have Cost thousands of jobs serious problems have also bedevilled other companies win deep Roc is there such As the Southern Pacific Railroad Crown Zellerbach Del Monte foods and the Standard pm co of California. As san Francisco s economic Potjer has bin ebbing its old rival los Ango i. Has been thriving As a Center of manufacture banking and Pacific bade moreover i has Begu i to 01 it Pace 5an Francisco As Iho cultural Center of the Wen.  by the Rucell openings of two Sturchi Iarj new Art museums Camille Jordan a san Francisco labor analyst says that despite losing jobs in finance and manufacturing the City s Overall work Force is Stilt rising because of Start ups by now Small businesses and the growth of service industries. Tho atty is losing its Largo Corpora Irons she Sard and becoming an entrepreneurial  Many residents say they we come a future with lass economic it owl. We be already got Loo Many people and too Many big Huil rings Angela Lisotto a computer operator said when asked Why she had voted for a bal of measure to limit construction of new office buildings. The measure was narrowly approved nov. 4 but others argue that the City s decline As a corporate and financial Center dangerously jeopardizes ils Long term economic strength. Roger Boas who retired dec 31 after 10 years As he cily s chief administrative officer said for Many years the City has operated on a fairly narrow base financial services and banking and a pretty Lair smattering of corporate Headquarters or Fortune 1000 companies. Now All of a Suddon mat base has been absolutely  ii is these companies Boas continued that provided a Stream of workers to Small businesses mow that Stream is starting to dry up. I we Don t do something it if Tony get worse " Richard b Morten associate director of live chamber of Commerce agreed saying we be been living Oil of our tremendous gov eth in the late 70s. But there s no guarantee in life that a City s Economy will always be Rosy both elected and business leaders Hara been too  along with Many business leaders Here. Morlen seems resolved 1o reluctantly accepting Tho reality that los Angeles has eclipsed san Francisco As the West s Premier financial Center. But he says that May Noi be All bad san Francisco he said May have a different role in the  wednesday january 7. 1987 the stars and stripes Page 13