Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-05-30
ABOUT THE CITY.
The East Los Angeles Sewer
Question
DISCUSSED AT SOME LENGTH.
The Police Commission Meets But
POstpOnes ALI Its Impor-
tant Business.
ABOUT THE CITY.
DISCUSSED AT SOME LENGTH

The East Los Angeles Chamber OF
Commerce met last evening in the
Knights of Pythias Hall, on the corner
of Hellman and Downey avenues. M.
D. Johnson presided. A number of
Councilmen, the City Engineer, Fred
Eaton, and many prominent citizens of
the East Side were present. The special
order which had been arranged for the
meeting was the consideration of the
sewer bond proposition in its bearing on
the interests of East Los Angeles.
After some unimportant preliminary
business, it was moved and carried that
the members of the Council should be
elected honorary members. The floor
was then offered to City Engineer Eaton,
for him to make a statement regarding
the system of sewers proposed for the
East Side. He placed map in con-
spicuous position, took cane for a
pointer and proceeded to explain.
There was to be one central intercept
tant, which was to begin at the corner of
Hoff street and the Arroyo Seco, and to
run down the course of the river until
it reached point 500 feet to
the north of Seventh street, and
then cross the river to the outfall
sewer. Two mains on the East Side
would connect with this, and a third
main would run across the Mission road
into a slough. Contributing to these,
would be side sewers.
OF the entire amount arranged in the
plan, 1lS 900 feet in all, it was estimated
that only go 900 need be built at once.
feet. the main outfall, down to eight
inches. The funds provided for the gen.
eral system would pay for the intercept
tant, the mains would be paid for by the
districts in which they were located and
the side connections by the property
owners in proportion to frontage. The
cost OF building the smallest would be 60
cents foot, that of the main Sc foot.
The average price would be 81 foot.
After Mr.. Eaton had finished his ex.
plantations he was called upon to answer
a great number of questions concerning
the amount which people would be taxed
who owned corner lots, and those whose
property was upon the lines of the mains,
or in any other way peculiarly situated.
To all of these Mr., Eaton returned sat
isfactory answers. Mr.. Marsh wanted
to know what was to be done about the
contract with the South Side
Irrigation Company, who we're
now using the sewer wafer in
the Vernon District. Mr.. Eaton said
that the contract held for fifteen years,
but was renewable every two years, with
new conditions. At present, the con-
tract called for 100000 gallons, which
could still be supplied them. They were
under a $15 900 contract to manage the
irrigation in perfectly sanitary fashion.
1t was complained that this was not be-
ing done. 1t was perfectly possible to
use sewage water for irrigation, and it
was used in many districts in Europe
without the least injury to health. If
sanitary laws and requirements were
being violated, then the city could take
away this contract at any time. All that
was necessary was to 60 into Court and
prove that such was the case.
In answer to a question of how soon
relief could be afforded from the existing
state of things, Mr.. Eaton answered that
lust as soon as the bond question was
settled, the work would be started in
East Los Angeles. The sewers, as fast
as completed, could be allowed to run
into the river. The system minus the
out.fall would probably be done by the
first of January.
The Chairman, Mr.. johnson, said that
he thought East Los Angeles ought to
feel fattered that it was the first section
to be afforded relief.
Mr.Knapp moved that the thanks Of
the Chamber of Commerce be extended
to Mr.. Eaton for his courtesy in making
this full explanation OF the plans of the
system, and also moved that the matter
be referred to the committee on sewers.
The motion was carried.
Mr.. Joseph Messmore, who was pres
ent, was called upon to give his views.
He said he would not be in favor of vot-
ing for the bonds until he was thoroughly
satisfied as to what the whole scheme
was going to cost. The right of way to
the sea ought to be secured before the
work was begun, or else eXorbitant
prices might be demanded for the land
over which it was to pass. The speaker
disclaimed any intention to stand in the
way of progress and improvement, but
he wished to have no chances taken in
entering upon a work of such magni-
tude.
Councilman Van Dusen announced
that there would be special meeting of
the Council on Friday, to consider the
question of the sewer system, and that
citizens were specially asked to be pres
ent.
This concluded the special order oil
business, and after transacting some
routine affairs, and electing Mr.. Eaton