Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-04-10
BOARD OF TRADE.
Annual Address By The
President.
THE ELECTION POSTPONED.
The Matter of Voting by Proxies
Discussed at Length-Other
Business.

The Los Angeles Board OF Trade met
at the new quarters, corner First and
Fort streets, last night, this being
the regular annual meeting for the
election OF officers. President Ger
main, after calling the meeting to
order, announced that after roll call,
at which members in person and
by proxy were expected to answer,
the Board would proceed to the elec-
ton OF six new directors for the ensu-
ing year. One hundred and ten men,
bers answered to roll call. After read
ing and approving the minutes of the
previous annual meeting, President
Germain read the following most ex-
cellent and interesting report.
PRESIDENT GERMANS REPORT.
To the Members of the Los angeles Board of
Trade.
GENTLEMEN: Another year, our fifth has
passed, and again you meet in annual con-
vention to listen to the reports Of your
officers. year ago had the honor of
being elected your President, and have, as
far as IN me lay, endeavored to perform the
duties devolying upon me Whether have
succeeded in accomplishing what was ex-
pected Of me, leave ,youto judge, will
briefly note the condition o. N'ir local affairs
and the workings of the Board of Trade for
the past year, and call your attention to
matters demanding future consideration.
Ths progress of our city in the past
twelve months has been something phen-
omenal. In population, in building. In
commerce, and in all public and pri-
vae improvem nts,, oar advancement is
involves heavy responsibility upon the
municipal government, and the tine and
resources Of our officials have been taxed to
the utmost In such condition OF affairs.
1t is a great pleasure to note that the chief
office, that of Mayor, is occupied by
man who in his own personality repre-
sents the character and purposes of the
Board of Trade. Energet tic and progress
sive, he has rendered the city good service,
and his persistent efforts to secure needed
public improvements should meet with
success, and are well worthy of recogni-
tion.
The Council is making strenuous efforts
to solve the problems thrust upon 1t by our
city's growth, and with the hope Of enlist
ing for them the cooperation of Que bust
ness community, desire to call attention
to few of these problems.
First in Importance may. be mentioned
the question of street paving The filthy
condition of our thOrOughfdres b as undoubt-
edly WORKED largely to our disadvantage.
The usual comment of visitors h been
that such state of affairs would be dis
grace to a country village. If we are to have
relief before another winter. the work of
paving must be pushed with all possible
speed, as large area must be covered to
meet the demands Of business.
Then our sewerage system must be i'm
proved without delay. Our lovely climate
cannot forever overcome, ana ocean breezes
cannot disinfect or carry away the dangers
of q closely built city. We have been for
tunate i'll our comparative fr6 edom from
epidemic diseases. but must not expect to
continue so, unless we make provision that
reason and experience dictate.
Another matter calling for the speedy ac-
tion of both the Council and Board of Edu-
cation, is the present lack of adequate room
in our public schools This has been large
of the proposed issue of bonds. One Of our
leading citizens is putting this problem in
the way, of speedy solution, and
agement in his 1audable purpose. It may be
that further legislation is required to meet
the necessity in our case. In that event no
ton by the Board than the requirements OF
our public schools; no efforts should be
spared to secure such legislation az will en-
able Los Angeles to possess school build
ings aud accommodations as creditable to
her as the teachers now in her schools are.
There are many other impo tant matters
connected with municipal affairs; but no
city worthy af the name can dispense with
clean, well-paved streets, thorough sewer
age, and ample facilitiesfor the. education
of the you tn. p
attention of our Council, and enlist the co.
operation of this Board. fs the suppression
OF vicious resorts, which are maintained in
many instances on our business and resi-
ssoaid ssoSs ''tss~ be driven as's out y View.
and the corrupt resorts shut up.
am in favor of the present ordinance fix
ing the liquor dealers license at $500 per
hrrkI unu1d Uacf fhof
licens be made payable yearly in advance,
70 as to. make it impossible for unprinci-
pied men to make livelihood out o! the
our city Of q class of people whose place
should be at work supporting their families.
who in many instances are now neglected.
The lighting Of this city also requires
further action. Our electric lights are good
SO far as they go, but they should be in
creased in number.
The proposed new charter, a matter OF
great moment to our municipality. will
shortly be submitted to the votes Of our
citizens. This charter should be carefully
studied by each member of the Board, thst
he may be prepared to cast an Intelligent
vote. While not presuming TO- speak for
the Board, I may briefly. say that, in my
individual judg. ent, the interests of
the city will be best promoted by its adop-
tton; and that, while like every other work
OF human hands, 1t has its impsrfectious, 1t
governed; it is intended to, and, doubt
less will, correct many abuses which have
grown up under the present charter.
ion on the part of this representative body
of business men. would have great weight
with large number of our voting popula-
ton.
county, and affecting the interests Of the
city, are two important matters-the Judi
ciary and Court House. The last Legislature
allowed two additional Superior Judges for
III rrv,txy Init IN IN q
pears to be only temporary Business IN
terests of the community are prejudfced by
delays which are unavoidable when the
courts ore overburdened with work; and
steps should be taken in ample season to
bring some measure for further relief before
the Legislature, early in its next session.
In regard to the Court House. desire to
express the qualification felt by all classes
in knowing that operations have been actu-
ally commenced, and that Los Angeles
county at last bids fair to have building
demands Of the pubic business and calcu-
lated to afford protection to our public rec
ords. Its early completion is . necessity,
and while public Improvements and bust.
progress, private enterprises have accom-
modated themselves to the situation.
The year Just past has been a prosperous
entire emit, Pacific coast. The failures have been
few, and profits fair; snd we can only hope
that tho year Just beginning ming VIII & prove
repeti lon OF the one ended. Our mer
chants, however, should not guide
themselves by success, but should use great
care and judgment in granting credits, thus
avoiding losses to themselves and embar
rassment to their debtors. The business o.
the country is in healthy condition and i
depends great deal upon our wholesale
trade to keep 1t SO. -,
The area Of country brought under cult.
walton has been largely in excess OF any
previous year. learn from authentic
sources that over seventy five per cent. o.
plowed up, new orchards set out, grain
eown in enormous quantities; and. to crown
the WHOLE our rainfall has been plentiful
There are, therefore, no clouds on the hori
zon to cause apprehension, and we can lool