Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1884-07-10
1Hr CRY WAFER COMPANY.
Statement of the Condition OF the
Oity Water System.
TO the Honorable Council cftas city Of
Los Aaoeles.

Water Company, with view OF inform
ing your Hon. Body in regard to its
present condition, and for the purpose
of bringing about definite understand
ing with your body in regard to the
rights Of the city on the one hand and
the company on the other, respectfully
submit the following communication;
On the 22d day of July, 1865, the
Mayor and Common Council Of the city
of Los Angeles leased the works of the
city of Los Angeles to John s. Griffin,
Solomon Lazard and Prudent Beaudry
for the term of thirty years. BY the
provisions OF this lease the Jesse es were
to provide the inhabitants of the city of
Los Angeles with water for domestic
purposes. 1t also provided that the
Mayor and Council should fix the rates
to be charged by the lessees for water,
but not below what was then charged.
1t was also provided that the lessees
should provide water free for fires and
hydrants erected for that purpose at
places design ted in the lease; and it
WAS iurbucf pioFiueu tuds eiio ieSsVeo
should extend iron pipes as fast as the
citizens desiring to be supplied with
water would agree to take sufficient wa.
ter to pay ten per cent per annum upon
the cost Of extending the pipes through
the streets unsupplied with water.
The lease was assigned to the Los An
geles Water Company, company in
corporated to carry cut the provisions
of the lease. At the time thewater works
were leased the city of Los Angeles was
small but growing city. The works
leased were crude, the pipes being of
wood and the water taken from the river
near where the East Los Angeles bridge
now stands, by means of wheel which
lifted the water into hume from which
it was carried into small reservoir and
from thence distributed over small
portion of the city. The water compa-
ny, anticipating city of reasonable
size. expended between the years 1870
and 1878 about $3.50, 900 in extending
its mains, constructing new ditch and
building reservoirs, and its indebted
ness to-day, on account of these expendi-
lures, is more than 1926, 600.
The Water Company is now sup
plying $4,000 persons with water
for domestic purposes and esri-
mates 5000 people remaining to whom
the company does not furnish water,
and the demand upon the resources Of
the company each day increasing.
la addition to this the city consumes
at least 800, 900 gallons of water per day
for street sprinkling purposes. This
water is taken in the middle of the day,
at the time the pressure is lowest, and
many persons are thus almost entirely de-
prived Of water for domestic use. TAX
ing the water in this way, we respect
fully submit, must be stopped. The city
has in no event the right to take for
street sprinkling other than the surplus
water not needed for domestic use, and
il the taking of water for street sprink-
ling at all the times and in the quantities
now taken is continued, the company
will be obliged in the interest Of its con-
sumers to resort to legal process to de-
termine it's rights in this respect. And
we respectfully submit that, unless we
can agree in regard to the water so
taken, friendly suit be instituted to
determine the rights of the city to the
water for street sprinkling and for what
purpose the fire hydrants may be used.
With the present system of taking
water for street sprinkling we shall be
unable to fill our reservoirs aud keep on
hand a supply of water necessary in case
Of large fire, and neither can we sup
ply the people with water for the com
mon necessaries Of life.
We feel it is for the interest and
health Of the city to sprinkle the streets,
but sprinklilg the streets as at present
cannot longer continue.
The frequent complaints made and
finding their way into the columns Of
the press. show how hard we are pressed
to supply the necessities of the consum
ers of water. We are now enlarging our
reservoir at total expense Of S27. 900,
Of which we have already expended
$l2, 900. We have extended our mains
at an expense of S2S. 900 during the last
year and have not been able to meet
half the demands upon US.
Nov, in view Of population consist
ing of over 30. 600 inhabitants, and with
promise Of further increase, we viii
state to your Honorable Body that if 20,
will aid US in arriving at correct un
derstanding and settlement Of our lega
status, either by new contract or by
friendly suit to be taken to the Suprem
Court, we propose to make a furthe
outlay for the purpose of fully meeting
the demands Of our fast increasing popu
lation and to fully supply the city witt
water for street sprinkling. which, will
these questions undecided, it may no
be safe for us to do.
First-We have in view the layin,
Of 10000 feet of pipe for supplying Eas
Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, and t,
also construct an additional reservoir fo
the same; also to erect pump aud max,
water power for this system.
Second-In the portion of the cit,
west Of Nam street and south of Tempt
street, we propose to lay Large mains o
cast. iron pipe, to.wit: From First stree
to Seventh street, from Seventh stree
to Pearl street, Pearl street from Sew
enth to Pico street, Pico street iron
Pearl to Main street.
We also design to fully complete GU
repairs on our present reservoir which
when completed, will contain II, 900, 90
gallons of water, to finish which will cos
$4,000.
The company can. if allowed to carr,
out these Improvements, furnish waite
to the different parts of the city wit
much greater facility and in create
abundance than at present; but it vii
be seen by your Honorable Body, tina
with its present indebtedness, the RICH
claimed by your Honorable Body to us
water from the company's mains to an
amount for purposes foreign to the oil
jects Of the corporation and the lease
the constant invssions of the company
rights by individuals in taking water fo
flushing sewers without the company
consent and the present inadequate n
medy now furnished by the by laws {
the city for the protection of its rights
1t will be impossible to obtain capital t
make the improvements so necessary fc
the proper protection Of the city in i,
health, its growth and its danger froi
corftlagration.
While desiring to sound no alarm, W
are compelled to say that at presen
with the drain made upon us for wat,
TOR sprinkling streets, We are not onl
not in condition to supply our col
sumers with water, but in case of
great confagration, our supply is who'll
inadequate. We ask, therefore, tina
your Honorable Body will meet us at
time designated and determine what
best to be done regarding the matter
herein set forth.
The rapid growth of our city demand
an immediate Improvement in our wat,
, system. Unless aided by you the growl
Of the city must necessarily be RETARDED
We claim that the company we repr,
sent is composed of enterprising a,
public spirited citizens, interested In Il
growth and prosperity of the city. "
are willing to invest and cause capital
| be invested in this enterprise 80 vital
, the future Of the city, and are willing
be bound by the rates provided in o,
lease, giving us fair interest on Il
capital invested.
Respectfully,
Los ANGELES CRY WATER CoMPAN'
By ). b. Mort, Secretary.