Los Angeles herald., 1891-06-14

statements facts? Ii so, why does the
condition still exist? Speaking for my
self, | believe there is every day in the
year over twenty-five thousand inches
OF clear, sparkling mountain water ruiz
ming to waste after all that is used for a
variety Of purpose in San Gabriel river
alone, and the source of this water is at
an altitude OF thousands of feet, falling
with velocity of power sufficient to
turn countless wheels of manufacturing
interests. / say that it is my opinion
that in this stream there are 25 900
inches OF water running to waste every
day in the year, and let me say right
here that there are over 100000 acres
Of land that could be watered by it that
have not drop of water. Think of it,
gentlemen, this water running to waste !;
the land needing it. What a shame
Do you believe the laws of our land are
such that this condition of affairs is
necessary? The land without water is
worth from $12 to $50 per acre; with
water you all know its value. Without
water the owners can scarcely afford to
pay the taxes with water they are rich.
Now here is the water and the land.
The owners of the land want the water,
and are willing to pay for it. Now sup
pose a corporation take this water
at its source; first use it for
manufacturing purposes, then dis
tribute it over these lands and charge
each land owner say $275 per acre per
annum, creating an income of 1926, 1000
per annum. Supposing it were neces-
sary to- float bonds of say So, 900, 900 to
establish the plant. Is there any good
ryhu II 10 M q mr. ootinoI rernnncs-
ton? You may say the question of title
TO the water is in the way, but, mind
you, this proposition only contemplates
using what is now surplus water and is
running to waste.
You may say that to transmit power
such distance contemplates great waste
of power. That is true, but does it mat
ter much as far as Los Angeles is con-
cerned whether she or small towns sur
rounding her do the manufacturing
Would not large amount of machinery
operated at Azusa or Monrovia pay Just
the same tribute to the city as if it were
Immediately in the city?s
You may say you cannot bring that
wafer into the city of Los Angeles, but
you can, and under good pressure suffi-
cient for fire purposes and almost any
other.
You may say you Cannot float the
bonds. Such is not the case. You gen.
tlemen here by acting together and har-
moniously could float In Los Angeles
county water bonds of $20,000,00 with
in the next ten years for water purposes
alone.
The San Gabriel is only one sample of
what can be done. What is the reason
that tho oc AnnaIoc rixyor NAV not ba
taken at its source and treated the same
way? 1 am told that the company now
piercing the mountain with tunnel
pacity of 10000, ,O00,0 900 gallons of water
where we now stand, and it is their in
.tentioA to use that water for mechani-
cal purposes as we'll as for domestic and
irrigation uses, and it is only six miles
from the city. Now here is PROPOSE
ton that seemingly has great merit, and
as am not an interested party in any
water company, only as a citizen desir-
ing all that will tend to improve our To-
cality, can therefore treat the subject
from disinterested standpoint and in
cold-blooded way, for am not fully
advised as to even the parties in inter-
est.
So, as I said before, this proposition
has on its face the appearance of the
very idea that was in my mind, that is
to bring large volumes of water under
control at an elevation sufficient to fur
nish great amount of power for facto.
ries, etc., and then use the same for do
mestic and irrigation purposes.
Every citizen should give this careful
investigation, and if possessed of merit
encourage it. There should be no mar
row-minded, selfish treatment of mat
ters OF such general Importance to the
public. Even, in my opinion, those
who are interested in other companies
should be broad-gauged in such mat
ters. as it is my belief that another COM
pany here need not cripple or hurt plants
already located in our city. We expect
to be great city. with business for all,
and it seems this kind of improvements
will tend to enhance values of all realty
here, and even were there any slight de-
preston of stock, (Which l don't be-
lieve would occur) the outside interests
will far outweigh any adverse tendency
of small block Of water stock.
Finally, gentlemen, it is my opinion
that there should be, by you, an earnest
interest, an active one and a unanimous
one exerted in these directions. You
have an immense power at your COM
mand for good results in our community
and there is vital need of your active
pushing and encouraging the accom-
plishment of these results.