Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-02-22
Demand OF RoyIe heights for "a
Rradwe

bridge.
Pursuant to q notice in the daily pa
pers, meeting Of the citizens Of Boyle
Heights was held on Saturday evening
to discuss the isolated position in which
this section Of the city was left by the
food, the long and unnecessary delay OF
the City Council in taking measures to
repair the means Of communication with
the business center Of the city, and to
devise some measures for their relief.
Mr.. Tbrelkold was elected Chairman and
Mr.. Bray Secretary. The Chairman
called the meeting to order and stated
the purpose for which il was called. He
dwelt at some length on the patient,
long suffering with which this eommu-
nifty has waited for approaches to the
First and Aliso-street bridges to be re-
paired. and the invidious and unjust dis
elimination shown by the City Council
in repairing the East Los Angeles bridge
within one week after the food, while
after six weeks there was still no per-
ceptible movement of that body tending
to the relief OF Boyle Heights.
Mr.. Gray asked what efforts the Coun-
Gilman from this ward had made to have
these matters attended to.
Mr.. Davidson said that he believed
| the Council wers waiting for some de-
termination to be reached as to the
proper width Of the official bed OF the
river, SO as to decide whether to build
additional spans to the bridges, or to re-
pair the grades. He had been present
at a meeting OF the Committee on
Bridges, ami had talked with the mem
bers, and there seemed to be such di.
versity Of opinion as TO whether the
river bed should be 100 feet wide or 900
feet wide that he saw no prospect OF an
early solution Of the difficulty.
Mr.. s. Il. Rees declared that Boyle
Heights was persistently snubbed by
the Council. He reminded the meeting
that our application for an additional
electric light was referred to but once,
and then quietly laid upon the table,
whereas East Los Angeles had perfect
galaxy Of lights. In point Of numbers
and as taxpayers we had the same rights
as any other suburb OF this city. The
fact is, there Ia an unjust discrimination
against Boyle Heights, and in favor Of
other sections. If prompt measures
had been taken to restore the means of
communication after the flood we should
have had large addition to our popula-
ton from the scared residents OF the
flooded districts, who had now mostly
gone to the western side of the city.
Newcomers seeking homes, too, were
not likely to take the long and
circuitous route which is now the
only means of reaching this
side, and SO made their Investments in
other localities.
Mr.. Bray thought we had only our
selves to blame for this state Of affairs.
If we lie supine and wait for something
to turn up, while other sections of the
city are eagerly trying to get their wants
supplied, we shall always be the last to
be served. II East Los Angeles wanted
anything, they clamored for it. and
never ceased until they got it, or got
something like it, at least.
A member animadverted upon the con-
duct of the street-car company. The
cars were run at long intervals, and
sometimes where we cross the bridge we
have to wait ten minutes before the con-
Meeting car arrives. A good walker
could follow the same road and beat the
car by several minutes, There has been
nothing done yet toward fixing the street
car bridge, and no manifestation of any
intention to do anything.
Mr.. Cowan had heard that the con-
tract for rebuilding this bridge had been
let, but he knew nothing positively
about it.
Mr.. Butler said that Also Avenue was
in such condition that no one could
reach the cars when they did run with
out wading ankle-deep in mud. The
company ought to provide cross-walks
at suitable places and other conveniences
for their passengers.
Mr.. Threlkeld spoke Of the condition
Of the bridge over the arroyo ON Sum-
nit street. 1t is only short time ago
that this bridge was built and now it 10
in ruins. The work done seems to be Of
Q trumpery nature. No steps have yet
been taken to repair it.
Mr.. Chamberlin said the convenience
Of passengers was the last thing the
company thought about. 1t would be
proper to look into the matter, and nm
less the company would do better than
they have been doing, to take measures
to annul the franchise. and grant it to
some company who would do square
thing. Alter some further discussion .
committee of three-Messrs. Rees, Bray
and Chamberlin--was appointed to
which Mr.. Threlkeld was afterwards
added; and they were instructed to wait
upon the street car company, and ascer-
tain their intentions in the premises, and
to take such further action as then
seemed proper; and alse to attend at
the next meeting Of the Council to pro-
test against the present inaction, and to
demand fair treatment and that our
wants be attended to. The meeting
then adjourned to meet again if neces-
sary, at the call Of the Chairman.