Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-05-24
WEIGHTY MATTERS
Discussed by the Chamber
of Commerce.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEET
The Federal Building-Meetlng Of
COngressmen-An Agricultural
Experimental Station.

Wicks as a member OF the Board was
accepted, and Dan McF Farland was elected
to fill the vacancy.
The Secretary was instructed to cor.
respond with the Congressional repre-
sentatives from all over the State, and
ask them to visit this city on the 18th of
June, to give them an opportunity to see
for themselves the condition of affairs
here, and to win their good graces as far
possible by bestowing upon them the
cordial hospitality of this section.
Ex-Representative Col. II. H. Mark
ham was present, and there was much
discussion as to the best means of secur-
ing feeling ofharmony among the dele
cation from the State. 1t was suggested
that if they would come here for a pleas
ant visit they would go away with a
better opinion of Los Angeles, and more
OF disposition to help out the South
ern part of the State in the securing of
appropriations.
AT the last meeting Of the Chamber,
when General Vandever addressed the
gathering and explained how 1t had hap.
pened that the appropriation for the
Federal building had not been incres sed ,
committee was appointed to look into
the question of the inadequacy of the
building and report recommendation
of some kind to the Board of Directors.
This committee filed voluminous docu-
ment recommending such a variety of
different things that it was laid on the
table. There was much discussion as to
whether the Chamber should advise that
to a stop, and wait for more
of ha -,
the size of the building. The
objection was made that if the work were
stopped it might cause the question of
the location to be again raised, and all
existing arrangements might be upset.
1t was unanimously decided that no
change was desired in the location, and
that that phase in the matter should not
be broached. Colonel Markham read
from his report, which was made in 1885,
on which the appropriation OF $150, 900
was made, wherein the population of Los
Angeles is put at 40, 900, and other state.
ments about the city and county in like
proportion. 1t was his opinion that the
claim OF the district to a building twice
the size OF the one now contemplated by
3, the appropriation was 80 good that it
would undoubtedly GO through.
1t was finally decided to ask the
authorities at Washington that the work
be stopped where it now is with the
foundations only partly completed, and
that the Representatives from this district
and the Senators of the State be urged to
do their best to secure an appropriation
which will allow the tract of land
designed for the building to be extended
30 that the building may be increased in
size to twice its present dimensions, and
will also admit of the building being
three stories in height. This revolution
was passed unanimously, and the
Secretary was instructed to act in &C.
cordance with it.
On the matter of the establish
ment of an agricultural expert
mental station in Los Angeles or vicinity,
an important communication was read
by the Secretary. Some time ago a COM
mittee was appointed to ascertain what
could be done toward having station To-
Gated here, and it was found that the
United States allowed the State of Cali
fornia 900 for this purpose, which
was placed in the hands of the Regents
of the University OF California.
The following communication was read
by the Secretary
NJ. r. Higgins, Secretary Chamber of
Commerce, Los angeles:
DEAR SIR-Yours of 18th is before me.
inclose, for your information, bulletins
78 and 80, from which you will see that
a station for Southern California is defn.
itely on our programme, its esta blish-
ment being merely question of time or
money, or both. But 1 have had several
negotiations on the subject, notably
with the authorities of the University of
Southern California, that would doubt
less have come to successful issue ere
this but for the decision of the trustees
that it would be inadmissible to
have anything to do with the culture of
wine grapes. AS the wine industry is
one of the largest interests in the State,
any such condition is, of course, mad.
missible, and whatever community in
sists on it must do without the station.
1t seems to me that this is the prohibi-
ton mania run to seed. There is not
even to be any wine made on the prem
ises (although we would not permit our
point, but the grapes are to be shipped
to this place for testing, as rule.
The situation at present is this: We
have three stations in hand now, and
they are not yet fully fitted out; still
hope that from 81 900 to $1,000 will be
available toward the establishment Of a
fourth station during the next financial
year, beginning July 1st. We find that it
costs us just about 5000, besides rum
ming expenses, to establish new sta
ton under the conditions set forth in the
bulletins i. g. the land (twenty acres)
being donated and say So, 900 subscribed
toward the erection of buildings,
which under the law we cam
not do out Of the appropriation.
If water is given with the land it would
make difference of about 5000 less. If
prompt action we're taken by your people
the station might be set on its feet within
the year. even If not fully equipped at
first. have had some correspond ence
with parties at Pomona, which would
seem to be very eligible locality, being
on the divide between the San
Gabriel and San Bernardino val
leys and in every way, 30
far as I can Judge, as fairly repre-
sentative of the valleys of Southern Cal
ifornia as any locality that can be
selected. Whether anything will come
of the negotiations L do not yet know.
At all events l shall be pleased to corres-
pond with you on the subject, and will
do my best toward advancing the matter
as much as l can. Very truly, yours.
E. w. HnGARD.