Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-11
Meeting Yesterday of the
City Council.
The Two Water Companies
Severely Scored.
j. De Barth ShOrb Endorsed for the
Horticultural Commission.
Much Routine Business Transacted.
A Comparatively Unexciting
Session Ordinances
Passed.

Upon the report of the city clerk pro.
ceedings were rescinded in the matter
of the construction of sidewalk on the
south side OF Adams street, between
Grand avenue and Figueroa street.
The matter of constructing a sidewalk
on the south side of First street between
Alameda and Center streets was re-
ferred to the board OF public works
The same reference was made in the
matter of the grading of Third street,
formerly Georgia street, and in the mat
ter of constructing a sidewalk on Pearl
street, between Sixth and Tenth streets.
An order for constructing sewer on
Third street between Main and Los
Angeles streets was adopted.
The mayor sent in message revoking
the appointment of H.. j. Hanchette as
a library director, and appointing Hon.
George HI. Smith in his place.
On recommendation of the sewer
committee the bid of Frick Brothers for
constructing section 5, of the central
intercepting sewer at 1.4S per foot was
accepted, and the city attorney instruct
ed to draw up contract.
The sewer committee aslo recon-
mended the granting of the petition of
the City Water company's petition for
the flushing of sewers, and that the
plumbing ordinance be referred to the
inspector of buildings
The report of the finance committee
recommending the objection of j. A.
Nelson's demand for $S3 was adopted.
The report of the fire commissioners
on the chemical engines, heretofore
published, was referred to the finance
committee and the city attorney.
The city attorneys report contained
the following in reply to the series of in
terrogatories propounded by Mr.. Innes
regarding water and waterworks in GEN
eral:
Question-As to the power of the citv
to condemn the Citizens Water works
under the law of eminent domain.
Answer-It has that power.
Question-Can the city purchase or
lease the said waterworks, and if so, by
what methods other than by agreement
with the company?
Answer-It can purchase or lease, but
not otherwise than by agreement with
the company.
Question-Can the city compel said
water company to furnish pipe, hy-
drants. water, etc."
Answer--No.
While according to the terms OF the
lease OF this company it ia required to
furnish sufficient water for hydrants the
only remedy the city has is to forfeit its
franchise for failure to do 80. This lease
also provides that in case notice is given
to sever the same, the city may pur-
chase the works uf the company; but as
the city has given formal notice to ter
inmate the lease this proviso is inopera-
tive. In my opinion the cheapest and
quickest way to acquire the works of
this company is by condemnation.
While upon this subject l desire to call
the councils attention to the fact that
the City Water company is refusing to
comply with the terms OF the ordinance
adopted by the council for this wear,
and that 1 have been informed by an
officer of that company that they will
refuse to be bound by the rates estab-
lished by the ordinance | am in re-
ceipt of complaints every day in regard
to this matter, and as we have already
instituted suit against the Citizens Wa
ter company to forfeit its works by rea-
son of its overcaarging, 1 think we
should also institute suit against the
City Water company for the same
reason.
The matter was referred to the COM
mittee OF the whole.
The city attorney further reported
contract with G. III. Kimball for hay,
and with J. Genelli to lay pipe in zanja
No. 5, and recommended the denial of
the petition of the L. A. N. & A. rail-
road for deeds to land south of Dcwney
avenue.
The demands of H. A. Blaisdell for
ii a11 d.
$3.50, and III. S. Hopkins $3.50 which
were rejected at the last meeting, were
recommended to be paid by majority
of the finance committee, consisting OF
Messrs. Rees and Tufts. After consid-
cradle verbal pyrotechnics, in which
y the entire council took hand, the de-
mands were allowed, Messrs. Bonsall,
Innes and Nickel alone voting no.
The finance committee further re-
ported: "The tax and license collector
has returned uncollected the following
licenses, with the Endorsement, refused
payment G. @. Edwards, real estate,
"a; W. HI. Griffin, same; F. A. Hutch
inson, same; McKoon q Gay, same; E.
Nettinger, employment, $12; California
bank, banking, $780, State Loan and
Trust company, $50; Farmers and Mer-
chants bank, $110; and we recommend
they be referred to the city attorney,
with instructions to collect the same by
civil process"
After hearing Major Frankenfield and
Herman Hellman in relation to the
banks, the report was adopted, except
where it referred to the banks.
The following motions were passed:
By Mr., Rees-That the city engineer
ascertain by survey whether Breed
street, between the north line ef Michi.
gan avenue and point 400 feet south of
Brooklyn avenue, has sufficient grade as
now graded to reqnire cobble cutters.
By Mr.. McGarry-The granting of the
petition of Mr.. James to place curb
with redwood by private contract.
By Mr.. Rees-That the street super
intendent remove a fence now obstruct-
ing portion of South Chicago street,
in front of the property OF f. Marion
Benedict.
By Mr.. Rhodes-That the City Water
company be requested to lay large
main on Pico street, from Figueioa
street west to Alvarado street.
By Mr.. Innes-That the city clerk no.
tify all water companies, gas compan-
les and street railroads to deposit with
in sixty days with the city engine er
maps showing where their pipes and