Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-02-21
FLOOD and Remedy.


TO lie kdaor Of the Herald Sir:
Having lost about $4,000 by the late
food Of the Los Angeles river, I can
truly sympathise with the more un-
fortunate. who are rendered entirely
destitute by it. 1t recalls very "strik-
ingly" an article over my signature
published in Los Angeles daily paper
Of Oct. IA, 1883, under the head Of
"Public Enterprise." To wit:
While We should be well satisfied
with the wonderful growth Of our city
and country, yet. in this fast age Of
rapid transit, our ambition feasts on
future results, and to this end allow me
to call attention 10 an item Of public
benefit, 1 future ornamental and profit
able enterprise for our city, wherein the
passing Of time adds largely to the
advantages named. and with compsrati-
vely no expense. II the city will make
roadway 100 feet wide along the west
side Of Los Angeles river, out Of the 800
feet in width Of river bed claime1 by tho
city, say from East Los Angeles bridge
south 10 First street, or further, build il
sufIiciently high to protect property
back Of Il Ia It ID clsimed high water
has damaged as far back a Alameda
street). The willows now Standing in
ths way Of said drive could be properly
secured along the outer edge Of the road
= an ornamental hedge 70 protect the
bank, whils doubis rows of eucalyptus
trees planted on each side and center
would in . abort time make an or
namsntal and profitable item to our city,
particularly for pleasure driving, to s.y
nothing Of the wood tho trees would
make. Can you not stir up our city
authoritiss snd the public generally to
immediate action in this matter, for all
such public improvements besutify and
make the city the more attractive and
healthful, and il u my Impression that
interested parties along the river will
contribute largely to this expense if the
anthorities 70 to work in earnest aud no
dslAy. While my individual interest IN
the mstter i comparatively nothing. I
will start the list with subscription
oash Of $500.
have had the honor Of being the
mayor Of : larger city than this and
claim to know something about the
duties Of city officials, and the rights Of
her people. The difference perhaps
was that We believed in the old maxim
that ''ths servant is worthy Of his hire. "
We were we'll paid and gave full valus
in return. This city il no pauper, and
should not beg the services Of any man
without fall compensation, 80 that II
may not b again used y an excuse in
say. .dereIietion Of duty. One tenth Of
the los occasioned by this food pro-
perly expended would have renedisd
the wrong. besides securing the city
agAinst it, re-occuring. but the end il
not yet, for had the water remained ct
IL highest stsgs two hours longer, or
again occur, then the channel II has
already started to cut below tho railroad
trestls work, 1t the abrupt bend now in
the river wosld force its way across
Macy street. sast Of the Sisters school,
making the main channel cross First
street at Alameda thence southwest by
Washington Garden and raco track.
Now in conclusion. While leara that
TIE eounoil have appointed committee
70 dsviss some plan Of setinn. II is
generally mild way Of cabling" public
clamor, ! woad therefore suggest that
citizens meeting b held aud the matter
freely discussed to the end that the
greatest good may be attained for the
greatest number.
JoHx r. HuxPHRRYs