Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-24
Reasons Why. the Bonds
Should not Carry.
GROUNDS FOB AN INJUNCTION
The Important Question Discussed
in Convincing Manner-The
Engineers Views.

sewer pohu5 DIS now proposed Dy our City Coun-
Gil is the slowest way to the attainment of
either of the objects above stated:
First-we all know that the construction of
the lengthy and difficult Ballona sewer under
the most favorable circumstances, and without
any delays from injunction suits, wonld re-
quire as mechanical necessity at least two
years to complete 1t to the sea, and that until it
be entirely completed not one drop of sewage
can be deposited in 1T so that probably not be-
fore the fall Of 1891 could that sewer afford
any relief for the accumulating sewage of the
city-even IL no obstacles be placed in the way
of its construction.
Secondly-We cannot reasonably anticipate
that no obstacle will be placed in the way of its
construction. On the contrary, no rejecting,
Intelligent man can expect anything short of
the most obstinate, difficult and dilatory OBJ
out of that scheme.
The vote in favor of those bonds as now pre-
lowed by injunction suits-perbaps in several
different shapeS-but all aimed at obstructing
the buil ding or use OF the sewer
Such suits as these may be instituted. to
wit
1st, To restrain the issuance of the bonds
applicable to this sewer.
"a, To restrain the sale of such bonds if they
should be issued.
Sd. To epjoin the construction of said
sewer.
4th To enjoin the use of said sewer
That at least one more of such injunctiOus
can be successfully obtained we think can
scarcely be doubted. and surely no careful law
contrary. For, in addition TO the facts aud
circumstances calling for such injunctions in
ordinary cases, there are peculiar and extra
ordinary facts and circumstances in this case
which eminently address themselves TO a court
Of equity, and imperatively demand the exer-
else of its restraining powers.
The peculiar situation and condition of Santa
Monica and its environs; the peculiar objects
and purposes for which that place has been
settled and built up and improved, and for
which II is now the resort of the thousands
who go there for the enjoy ment of its attrae.
tions, are facts to be well considered, and
especially in connection with the more inn
portant fact that the prosperity and very life Of
the p ace Qncluding its environs, which extend
on both sides the proposed sewer) depends on
its preserving unimpaired, 1npolluted and
untarnished, both in fact and In reputation,
the purity of its charming sea abathing. the
cleanliness of its sands and beach walks, the
healthtulness of its atmosphere and bracing
breezes These are considerations which pecu-
iarly and especially cry. aloud against the
emptying of the sewage of Los Angeles city at
point whence all OF the bove-mentioned
prosperity would be endangered, if not actu-
ally destroyed.
On the other hand are to be considered the
of the city of Los Angeles, having on its south
and southeast borders many thousands of acres
a or r THIS ssnay eas se Use and
which on those lands would cause the produc-
| tion of immense crops Of valuable vegetation,
| cal and harmless outlet for the city's sewage
for pc haps every day in the year 1t also en-
joys the further eourity for the disposition OF
any surplus sewage which may not be required
on those plains in the few extraordinary occa-
sions of heavy winter storms in having the
broad and andy bed of the Los Angeles river.
adjacent to those plains, into which such
surplus could be readily turned, and whence
those high floods would carry it to the sea IN SO
diluted condition as to be imperceptible and
harmless to anyone. The said surplus sewage
and sewage water in those extraordinary occa-
sions would be thus returned naturally
into the river whence the water was Was
natural right which she lawfully enjoys of us.
ing the Los Angeles river for her necessary and
be e the CITY ef Los Angeles than t the
right to use the River Seine can be denied to
the city of Paris.
a court of equity, and it thus appearing that
the barbarous threat and attempt of Los Ange.
les to endanger If not ruin her neghbors OF
Santa Monica as above referred to would not
only he fatally damaging to the people of the
latter place, but immensely extravagant and
wasteful, and entirely unnecessary for the city
of Los Angeles
We must not delude ourselves by supposing
that the question as 10 whether the emptying OF
our sewage on the shores of Santa Monica will
be harmful or not to the people of that vicinage
will hereafter be left to the neighborly con-
science and decision of the City Council who
| have o far taken it upon themselves to decide
whether 1t be good or bad for her and whether
she likes it or not. on the contrary, we must
henceforth look for our standing in the highest
states. where Santa Monica will occupy posi-
ton Of dignity equal to that OF our own bully
ing mum cipality.
We must recognize the fact that she W i'll then
have risen from the suppliant attitude in which
she is now entreating for our foibearance, and,
with elevated crest OF defiance and indignation,
will Iesi-t with the ene rgy of desperation ou<
barbsrous attempt to outrage and destroy her,
She has able and influential men in her borders
who know how and will dare to protect her
hts IUhn hou ni 1c m MI
they will for that purpose employ the best legal
talent and resort to the highest courts in our
| country to epioin and prevent that m Baliona
| in favor of the bonds at the coming election
| means the Indefinite postponement OF the
building of our sewer system, as now propos; q,
and also of the use of the money required for
that purpose. For II our vote is in favor OF the
} bonds for that sewer, and the bonds are tied
up, or the building of the sewer ep!olnea' now now
{and when can we remedy our mistakeY That
lis indeed difficult question to answer me
City Council will have apparently exhausted
| its power on the subject and will have no
power to reirace its steps or propose another
route or another scheme We will simply be
| tied up until the Legislature can meet and help
II, on II the contrary, we vote against those
bonds as now proposed, all of our difficulties
can be quickly remedied.
The Council will at once, under that signid-
cant demand of the people, pass its ordinance
proposing different and proper system for the
disposition OF our sewage-to wit some natural
geles river, and the immense sandy pl fus ad
jscent thereto. Some system IN the nature OF
that above suggested or somewhat according
| to the practical course now in actual use, and
| in progress by the thrifty managers of the
South Side Irrigation Company. This plan
would, in short time, and at comparatively
| small expense afford us the desired outlet for
the disposition of our sewage, would provoke
| no injunctions, and would cause no delays.
The bonds would be voted unanimously, and
sold without question as 10 their validity. The
required money would be soon realized, and in
hand for distribution amongst the numerous
employees and tradesmen who would be re.
quired to furnish material and labor for the
work, and all of us would feel satisfied that the
| money was being we'll spent.
ANDREW GLAssELL,
Indorsed by the Committee.
ENGINEERING VIEWS.
While it is conceded that this city needs
sewers, there is difference of opinion as to the
manner of dsposing of the sewage matter.
II the plan of the City Council to run the
sewaGe-matter by means of an outfall sewer
of this city should increase as we hope and
believe it viii, in few years the larger part of
the wafer OF the river, and eventually the
entire stream, will find its way through the
outfall sewer into the sea, and II this water,
Withdrawn from its present use for irrigation,
goes to waste the gardens and orchadrs, now
owing their life to irrigation, will die, and the
land in the vicinity of Los Angeles be strip
ped OF Its charms and beauty,
We ecannot put too much stress upon the fact
that the water OF Los Angeles river must be