Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-02-21

II Il hard 70 make oven nine days
wonder Of anything, Of late years. Even
tbs quite recent food is beginning TO
lose Iptsrest as topic Of conversation,
while the flooded are getting ready to
build on the very spots where their en-
quilted dwellings stood before. This is
Ypite natural In view Of the fact that,
Nlvnhnhy Of these unfortunates, their
lots, however disadvantageously placed,
represent the savings Of years. and the
blow cannot bo recovered from at once.
We deem It our duty 10 urgently impress
upon tho city authorities the absolute
necessity which exists for precautions in
the interest Of the public safety, which
will make II not only natural but expcdi-
ent that these poor people should again
seek to build where their homes stood
before. Theoretically there ls no differ
ence Of opinion In this community as to
the ileceasity Of building lovee, and
the HRRALD's suggestion that 1t should
also be made an ornamental boulevard is
very generally approved. The actual
,dsstruction to private and municipal
properly through our neglect to do this
was greater In the late storm than the
sum which will be needed to supply the
city with this secure bulwark and
charming drive. II the City Council had
had the wisdom to start in with the
work Of lsveeing the river last Spring,
what splendid thing 1t would have
been, In addition 10 escaping tho over
dow, what an impetus would have been
given to the tree GROWTH The drench-
ing foods might have uprootod tree,
hsre aud there, but what a splendid
growth would have been assured to the
rests Starting In such benignant year,
the double avenues Of pepper trees and
eucalyptus, which would have served
both for establishment and cohesion
to the levee. " ould have sent their roots
deep into the fertile soil, and tall and
shapely trees--trees which it would re-
quire ten years or SO to mature in the
East would have, in year, rejoiced
the eye Of Augelehos. To this com.
plexion it must come at last, and the
City Fathers may as well move promptly
in the matter. The loss TO fraction OF
oar population is loss to the whole
community. We trust that some OF the
more enterpriaiug Of our engineers will
give their attention to this matter, and
viii make detailed estimates Of the cost
Of the needed improvements. Whatever
this may be, in reason, it ought TO be
chserfully incurred. Quite number
Of schemes for effecting this object are
being discussed, some Of which look to.
wards creating special district contigu-
ous to the river, and which would be
more Immediately affected by its over.
now. In addition to Its lack Of gener-
osity, as the bed Of the Los Angeles
river is steadily rising, the point Of over
dow may very shortly include a much
larger circuit than at present, and this
disposes OF the argument Of locality. But
~ between such restricted plan and
none at all, we should even be In favor
Of that. Rather than take no precau-
tion whatever against the lower portion
Of the city's being again delayed, We
should like to sec some Legislation, mu.
nicipal or State. though ut this writing
we do not think IL would be constitution
Al, which would admit OF the issuance
Of improvement bonds that should carry
moderate interest, and that would op.
crate as lien upon the property bene.
iited. But we place our suggestion upon
broader and fairer grounds. The whole
community is interested in making the
city attractive and healthy. Although
we have evaded the obligation for an un-
considerable time, it is at last impera-
lively incumbent upon us that we should
provide some passable drives for our own
people and for visitors. We should also
aim to conserve the public health, and
it is certainly very poor way OF start
ing about this latter duty TO permit
whole sections of the city to be flooded,
with the inevitable danger Of malaria
and consequent zymotic diseases. These
two grounds are ample to justify the city
at large in assuming the expense of levy
ing the river. There is nothing like
striking while the iron is hot, and now
that the public are settling back into
their old torpor is the time to press for
united action.