Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-08
A HIGHLY DESTRUCTIVE AND UNDESIR-
ABLE PROGRAMME.

Our esteemed contemporary, the
Times, in its issue OF Thursday, had
passably eloquent article upon the OPEN
ing of Broadway, at both ends. Doubt
less this effort would have been strength
ened in its argumentative effect, if not
in its force and elegance, if it had been
perfectly disinterested. Such, however,
we are afraid is not the case. Our con-
temporary is thought to have pecuni-
ary interest in the question which may
have tinged its views and clouded its
judgment. 1t advances the proposition
that Broadway may fail to become the
principal retail street of Los An
geles if the hills are not
cut down, much valuable prop
erty destroyed and an interesting and
historical landmark obliterated. 1t
even suggests the horrible idea that
Spring street, or some other thorough
fare, such as Hill or Grand avenue,
might possibly be crowned with this
coveted distinction unless the promoters
of Broadway shall swoop down on the
councilmanic fold. after the manner of
the Assyrians, cleaning in the purple
and gold of the speculative army. The
HERALD has the best wishes for
Broadway, as it has for all
other portions of our lovely angelic
city. 1t fails to see, however,
that all other quarters Of Los Angeles
should be subordinated to the aggran-
dizment of that thoroughfare. We can
not realize that it would be an unmixed
evil even if Spring street should be the
great retail street, nor would we be dis
gruntled if that distinction should be
awarded to Hill, or Main. or Grand
avenue. Let the course of trade, like
that of empire, take its way westward, if
it will, but we object to the agency of
municipal Vandalism in expediting the
work.
1t is only short time since property
owners made desperate struggle to pre-
vent the great losses involved in the at
tempt to open Broadway to Main. To
renew that conflict now would be very
injudicious measure. 1t would simply
again result in alarming and annoying
worthy class of property owners, who
cannot afford to be continually harri ed
and incommoded. With the city hall
and fine market located on its fine
street alignment, Broadway can very
we'll afford to trust to legitimate growth,
even though Spring street should con-
tinue to progress.
AS to the idea OF annihilating our
beautiful Fort Hill by an unsightly cut,
the whole sentiment of the community,
outside of few interested parties, would
revolt at the proposition. Fort Hill is
memorable historical landmark. 1t
is an ornament to our city, as are all
our hills. No practical object except
jobbery could be subserved by running
an unsightly cut through it. There is
an easy communication with Sonora
town through New High street, which
by defeceion of block, connects with
Buena Vista street. New High opens,
also, into Upper Main street. The
business between these two sections of
the city-that is to say, which would in
any case seek an extended Broadway
is very trif1ing. A slight improvement
of Buena Vista street, where it extends
over the hill to Sonoratown, would pro-
vide ample accommodations for all the
traffic and travel which will at any time
in the immediate future be directed that
way. As to the idea of great, un-
slightly cut through our superb Fort hill,
nobody but a contractor could entertain
the idea without positive agony.
OF course, with our contemporary, the
idea of ripping up First street is a nat
ural corollary to destroying Fort Hill.
1t will probably forgive us for the sug-
gestion that the milk in the cocoanut
consists in the fact that the Times office
is located on the northeast corner of
First street and Broadway. That journal
would condone any vandalism which
would appreciate the value of the prop
erty on which it is located. Not SO with
the people. They are in favor of no
adventurous experiments which will
mar the beautiful hill confguration OF
the city, and subject the taxpayer and
| property owner to intolerable burdens.
| ----------