Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-16

employers, under the guise of a gilt-let-
tered shingle announcing his profession.
saw in the office of Messrs. Grove &
Wilkinson, searchers of records, in the
Allen block, map which explains the
situation more forcibly than words can
picture. Could the surveyors who made
the surveys laid down on that map view
the results of their own work, they
would quickly learn that hemp was too
good for them; and if some of the prop
erty-owners fully realized the difficulties
in which they have been placed by this
reckless disregard for their property,
they would willingly pull the other end
of the rope. During six years practice
as surveyor in this vicinity many of
these errors and crimes have come un-
der my notice; but glance at this map
is sufficient to make every honest sur
veyor ashamed that he has ever under
taken to establish the corners of any
property in Los Angeles city. The many
attorneys who have examined this sub
ject are unanimously of the opinion that
the statute of limitations cannot pos
sibly cover the case.
In answering the question ''What is
to be done?" l suggest the following :;
The United States coast survey has
established permanent monuments near
this city based on an accurate system of
triangulation; now extend this system
to the heart of our city, and establish
several permanent points for the re-
survey. This is in the highest degree
facilitated by an abundance of conspicu-
GUS objects for triangulating purposes.
Appoint commission to go upon the
ground with the adjoining landowners
and agree upon the boundaries of their
respective holdings; after which the
surveyor connects the same by system
of accurate measurements and angles to
the established triangulating points, and
for additional Identification takes the
angles and distances to the nearest per-
manent objects.
From this survey let a map of the
whole city be compiled, showing the
lines of the streets and holdings as es-
tablished.
Make this map public record, which
will be conclusive evidence of what it
shows. This is done by filing it in the
recorders office. The practice of record
ing maps, now in vogue. leaves the rec
ord merely presumptive evidence, liable
at any time to be contradicted by the
original.
All such doubts should be removed by
filing originals. The property may then
be safely conveyed and properly assessed
by this new map. Also, upon the filing
of this map, the statute of limitations,
that grateful refuge from the fallibility
of man, would, in every instance, for the
first time, become ultimately available.
This work might be done quickly and
cheaply; the money expended by the
city and county in making assessment
maps in a few years would entirely pay
for it. This would guarantee accurate
work and just and proper assessments.
The injustice OF double assessment
and non-assessment frequently occurs.
At present the assessments are like the
surveys-a roaring farce.
And when this work is completed our
record of surveys may be sold to dime
museums and junk-peddlers, we having
no further use for them, and with the
proceeds erect monument to the mem
Dry of our now celebrated 'gas-pipe,
buggy-wheel and lariat" brethren.
In case the people. do not like my old
fashioned advice, and are modern and
civilized, they should provide the city
surveyors office of Los Angeles with
bicycles and roadometer-attachment to
survey the almighty dollar out OF their
pockets in hurry.
GUsTAvE DE LAvEAUx.