Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-07-24
WATER ON THE HILLS.
The Present searcity---whst
IN he DDne.

Pursuant to call large number OF
Beaudry water consumers met at Judge
Brunson's courtroom last evening to
discuss the water situation on the hills,
the supply having been greatly curtailed
Of late and irrigation restricted to two
days in the week.
On motion Mr.. Robert Steere was
called to the chair and Mr.. Walter 3.
Maxwell was appointed Secretary.
Judge Brunson briefly addressed the
meeting, stating that he had signed the
call ON the representation Of Mr. Beau
dry that the water supply was failing
and that something must be done. That
greater economy must be used in sprin.
king and irrigation.
Mr.. P. Beaudry was called upon and
stated that he had lately been obliged to
restrict the daysfor sprinkling and irri-
cation to two each week, owing to the
steady and alarming dminution Of the
water supply. This diminution COM
menced at the time Of the laying Of the
brick sewer on Alameda street. The
water had been partially recovered by
digging trench and making reservoir,
but Is far from being sufficient, even for
| present demands. 1t had been the in
tention of the Messrs. Beaudry, il pres
emit rates could have been guaranteed
them, to construct expensive works on
the east side of the river capable of fur
nisbiug an abundant supply, but the
! Council had refused to give such guar.
antee. Consequently they desire to sell,
and will take $4,000 for them-one-
third Of their cost.
In response to questions Mr.. Beaudry
further stated that the present source is
quickly exhausted by one pump--often
in from twelve to sixteen hours. The
pumps are kept at work all the time
when there is any water to be drawn
out. From four to five hun.
| dred thousand gallons are daily
drawn out. There are 500 taps to
be supplied at present. The lavish use
Of water for sprinkling and irrigating
has reduced the supply reservoir six and
one-half feet below its ordinary level,
making it impossible for people ON high
elevations to get enough for domestic
purposes. Mr.. Beaudry thought that II
present rates were guaranteed he could
sell the works to parties who would fur
nish an abundance of water for all pur-
poses.
Mr.. Maxwell stated that he had me-
gotiated for the purchase of the water
works, but the question of rates must |
be settled before he could safely pur-
chase. II rates could be fixed to remain |
as they are for considerable period he |
would agree to furnish the hills with an
abundance Of pure water. (Applause.)
Judge Brunson stated that as for him. |
self he was very willing to pay present
rates II he could only get water. He |
had paid full rates all the time, and 1t |
was very annoying to have his supply |
cut off at the time it was needed most. |
| When he found he had no water he |
| frame Of mind, but after the statement
had been made that the works were
pumping at times sand instead of water,
owing to the insufficient supply, he had
nothing to say. He thought before tax
ing further action it would be well for
committee to examine the works and re.
port on their actual condition. A
motion was made to that effect |
and the Chair appointed Messrs. Steph- |
ems, Hodgkins, Rev. Condit and DIR.
Kurtz as such committee. On motion,
the Chairman, Mr.. Steere, was added.
Judge Stephens then took the floor,
and in a forcible speech argued in favor |
of the consumers on the hills forming a |
company of their own and applying to |
the city for substantial aid in bringing |
pure water from the sources of the river. |
The city, he argued, had done little or
nothing for the benefit of the hills, and |
it was time that the property owners as
serted their rights. The city had spent |
$50, 060 to carry water over on the east |
side to irrigate mans vineyard,
and it was time that the |
west side received some of the |
benefits for which they pay. He |
offered to take thousand dollars worth |
of stock to commence with. and said in |
short time the amount could be raised.
The city has now S75, 900 to be spent for |
water improvement and therefore it is q
good time to make move In the matter. |
Mr.. Ralph Rogers rose and stated to |
the meeting that he and his associates
have nearly completed system in the |
Arroyo Seco which they can easily con-
meet with the Beaudry system and sup |
ply 100000 gallons daily, while the |
supply could doubtless be increased to |
5000, 900 gallons daily. His proposition
was for the Beaudry water con-
sumers to take $4,000 worth of |
stock in his company (Mr. Beaudrys
price for his works. The connection |
should be made Immediately and an
abundant supply of fine water be
secured. His system would furnish
pressure of rs feet in Mr. Beaudry's
highest reservoir and supply the most
elevated locations.
In response to question Mr.. |
Beaudry stated that the $4,000 would
purchase the reservoirs on the hills, all
the pipes, machinery, etc, but did not
cover the land from which the present
supply is derived.
On motion a committee of five,
Merssrs. Stephens, Hodgkins, Stovell,
Maxwell and Gould, were appointed by |
the chair to interview Messrs. Beaudry,
Rogers and the City Council and to
inspect all sources of supply. the COM
mittee to report as early as possible at
another meeting to be called by the
Chair.
On motion, after consultation with
Mr.. Beaudry, it was agreed by those
present, as a rule for irrigation and
sprink ling on the hills, that all residents
living in the district supplied by Beau
dry water be permitted to use the water
as follows: Those in the district north
of Temple street to irrigate Mondays
and Thursdays; those south of Temple
street, Tuesdays and Fridays. The
meeting then adjourned.