Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-24
LETTER BAG.
Mr. Collins ON water Schemes.

Mr. Collins on Water Schemes.
EDITORS HERALD: As the air is full
of water schemes at present, permit me
to say word in that respect. After
reading both the majority and minority
reports of the special water committee
to the council at it's last meeting, 1
must say that the plans are carefully
prepared and might be we'll enough if
the necessity existed by which we would
need either of them. see no necessity
for them at this time, hence 1 agree
with neither.
We are advised in one report that to
allow the matter to rest until the expi-
ration of the contract with the water
company ii 1898, is unwise and imprac-
ticable. Here I differ with them. If
the city acquires the water company's
plant at present by purchase, we would
have to pay their full price or they
would not sell; but suppose we do the
proper thing and stand by the con-
tract until '97 or '9S, then the company
will have to sell and at whatever fig
ures the appraisers fix for the plant. 1
further believe it is just as practicable
for the city to vote bonds for this pur-
pose in five or six years, as it is now.
The minority report may show an easier
way to acquire the plant, but it seems
too complicated.
Now we all know that there is no bet
ter stock in the state than the water
companies, and their bonds have sold
from 5 to per cent premium when
Los Angeles city bonds sold scarcely at
par. Eastern capitalists know this;
hence we find them here six years ahead
of time laying schemes to capture this
water system, which should and will
belong to the city. The time has ar
rived when this city should look to
keeping some of her good things at
home. Our cable and electric railroads
are owned by outside capital; their net
earnings go out of our city. The same
can be said of the lighting company, as
to large bulk of its stock. Car lines
and gas light are very good, but if we
had to we could get along without
either. In one case we could walk or
ride; in the other, burn candles or oil.
But without water we can neither flour
ish nor prosper, neither can we live;
hence water to this city is her greatest
need, which cannot be too carefully
guarded.
Our water system may be termed
goose that has laid golden eggs since
its incipiency, and, if managed properly,
will continue to lay them as long as Los
Angeles is a city. Then why force it
into outside hands or schemes, or tie up
our rights or the birthright of our chill
dren for fifty years. l see no reason
why we should either build or buy water
works before the expiration of this con-
tract. unless we will assume now that
there will be no honest men left to make
a fair appraisement of this plant in '97
or '9S. If, however, we believe three
men can be found at that time who will
carry out the spirit of that contract fair
ly and honestly. and fix the price on the
entire system of the Los Angeles city
water company properly, including Crys-
tai Springs land and water, let them do
80, and let the city buy it and run it.
The largest portion of this city is now
we'll supplied with good water except
that portion which is supplied by the
Citizens water works, but believe an
amicable arrangement can be made be-
tween both companies and the council
by which the City Water company will
be able to supply the Citizens COM
pany's patrons with water during the
life of its franchise. At all events we
want no schemes. Neither do we want
any headworks, or other unnecessary
outlays, until we first acquire this eys-
tenn in 1898. M. T. COLLINS,