Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-01-26
BOARD OF TRADE.
A Meeting ia Reference 30 River
Hntprovemeuts

A ueeffnu a. rteferesee 20 River
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thusiastic meeting OF the Los Angeles
Board Of Trade 10 take under considera-
10, ,ha ,,,n,ovemeut Of the river levees
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ana 70 d'ViSe ways ~" ,'s"'
ing said levees and widening theriver pea.
prssident George II. Bonebrake called
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few well chosen remarks stated the op-
iect of the meeting and called upon the
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Mr. W. n "o'N.'a" ''o's" I'M
committee be appointed to bring the
matter before the CITY Council. He said
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secured TO examine the river 'front.' anu
channel and make an estimate as to the
best method and cost Of combining the
river within reasonable bounds. Mr..
Workman was of the opinion that the
river channel should be widened and the
exposed points leyeed, the bridges made
higher and have extra spans. He said
that the cause OF the late food was that
debris accumulated against the upper
railway bridge, damming up the river
and when the dam gave way the water
,ame down in torrent and caused the
sad havoc. He secuted the idea that
the flood was caused by cloud burst
Senator Del Vale conceded with Mr..
Workman's views, and suggested that
the Governor be requested to exercise
his power and instruct the State En-
oi, ,eer 10 come to Los Angeles and sur
vey the river and make an estimate OF
the cost of improving 1t.
Col. Otis made q motion that MIR. Del
Valle's suggestion be carried out. and
Mr.. Del Vale was made committee of
one to confer with the Governor in
reference TO securing the services of the
State Engineer.
Mr.. Abbot Kinney made an address,
in which he advanced the theory that
the obstruction Of forests on the
water shed had tendency to increase
the floods.
General Mathews spoke in favor OF
Mr.. Workman's motion and the said
motion was carried.
In an informal discussion of the best
plan Of improvement Mr.. George Gep
hard said that while the width Of the
river on the map is 300 feet, it is impos-
sible to contne 1t to that width without
vast expenditure. He thought that the
river channel should be made 500 feet
wide; that the bridges should be six or
eight feet higher and with extra spans.
He Thought that the property owners
along the river, being directly interest
ed, should give sufficient space for the
river.
Mr.. Geo. w. Knox appeared as one OF
a committee from the people of the
flooded district, and stated that the sen.
timent Of the people between Macy and
Seventh streets, and Alameda street to-
the river.bed, was unanimously in favor
of combining the river within legitimate
bounds. Ii means bread and butter,
board and clothes and homes to these
people. and they desire immediate
action. He thought that the river-bed
should be six hundred feet wide, with
good, high, solid embellishments Mr..
Knox stated that IL would take possibly
$500. 600 to do this work, and he was
anxious TO hear suggestions as to the
best means of raising the funds.
Col. r. s. Baker stated that he never
made a speech in his life but had been
in California for thirty-seven years and
knew something about the Los Angeles
river. He had seen 1t very high and
filled with floating trees, some of them a
hundred feet long. The river has a
wonderful reserve force and may come