The herald., 1893-11-28

EA-bIhEbI bufEhlhTENDENT dUTCHlNsON.
Ex-Street Superintendent Hutchin-
son presented report to the special
committee about the books OF his Office
a short time before the meeting of the
council.
Mr.. Nickell presented IL to the coun-
ell, the committee not having had time
to look it over.
The report embraced report by Mr..
Hutchinson's deputy, Mr.. Baldwin, in
which he went over the history OF the
bookkeeping OF the Office during his ad-
ministration, and indulged in criti-
cism OF the policy pursued by the
former council towards the Office.
Before the reading had proceeded very
lar objections were made to its being
read further, some councilmen wanting,
to hear it read and others kicking about
it. The reading proceeded.
The report by Mr.. Hutchinson gave
as the reason the books were not more
thoroughly kept that it was because not
sufficient help was allowed him.
He went over the findings Of items OF
shortage by Expert Davis and also
criticised them. The report was quite
rambling one and touched upon
numerous items, in which he claimed
he should have credits for many OF
them, which had not been allowed by
Expert Davis. Quite a number OF these
items were for street work, which Mr..
hutchinson claims never was collected
and should not be charged against him.
As result of the whole investiga-
tion Mr.. Baldwin sums up by saying
that owing to the lack of books kept he
cannot explain all the items, but says
he Ia willing to swear that there was no
shortage at the end OF Mr.. Hutchinson's
term of Office. He claimed he had ex-
planned away all but $306.06 OF the al
legged shortage Of $40S5.35.
When the reading of the document
was concluded it was referred to the
special committee, with power to act in
employment of experts. 1890.
STORM WATER ON FIGUERoA STREET.
Capt. A. w. Barrett addressed the
council on the subject Of the handling
of the storm water ON Figueroa at WASH
ington street. Owing to the grade there
the water made bad place. The Elec-
trio company thought an iron culvert
should be placed there, and was willing
to do it's share in tine work. It would
stop the running of cars on Figueroa
street during the heavy rains if it isnot
remedied.
Mr.. iced moved that the city engineer
be instructed to open the pipe of the
Arroyo de Los Reyes and make a con-
nection to divide the water and relieve
the trouble at the point complained OF,
and culvert be put it. Carried.
Mr.. Teed moved that cross- walks be
constructed across Twenty-thitd street,
between Toberman street and Union
avenue; Main street, at the south side
OF Twenty-fourth street, and Thirtieth
street, west side of Grand avenue. Re-
ferred to the board of public works.
Mr.. Gaffey moved that the attention
OF the fire commissioners be called to
the unprotected condition OF the section
lying between San Fernando street and
the river, and Alnambra avenue and the
northerly part of New Main street, and
that the water company be asked to
place a four-inch main on portion of
New Main street. Carried. 81
On motion OF Mr.. Munson the matter
of opening up Figueroa street between
Center street and Orange avenue, was
laid over until next Monday afternoon
at O'Clock.
On motion OF Mr.. Strohm, the Los
A ngeles Consolidated Electric Company
was requested to repsiv Zanja and
Alameda streets opposite their works
where water is running over the side
walk on account of their damming the
Zanja, Carried. as'5'f,
THE MERCHANTS LICENSE TAX.
Major w. G. Furrey addressed the
councillor behalf of large company of
merchants, and presented memorial
asking the council to repeal the licence
tax ordinance. He said that such tax
was an exploded theory, and back
woods system. He said that the associ.
alton of merchants now numbered
about 800. He said such tax virtually
means double taxation and ia unjust.
The memorial took the position that
owing to the injustice of the tax the
wholesale and retail merchants of the
city had joined together to ask the re-
peal. Its text was as follows:
GENTLEMEN: We the undersigned,
members of the Merchants association
Of Los Angeles, respectfully ask that
you revoke the license now imposed on
merchandising, 80 far 40 carried on in
stores. We have for years borne this
unjust burden, and fail to find sny valid
excuse for its further continuance, the
city having long ago outgrown this
backwoods system. -
Over 80 per cent of the merchants of
Los Angeles are realty owners, and as
such keenly interested in the wslfsre of
our city. We hold that to hamper mer-
chandizing or manufacturing by license
is decidedly injurious to the welfare of
the city.
We are always willing to bear our
share of taxation, but do most emphati-
cally protest against being subjected to
this double and unjust tax, as no other
construction can be put on merchan-
dise license.
We truat you will see the justice of
this petition, abolish the license at
once, and save us the annoyance and
cost OF litigation, as it has been decided
by the Merchants association, an asso-
citation that numbers nearly all the
wholesale and retail merchants OF the
city, to make decided stand against
this system.
Major Furrey explained that the
signers embraced the mercantile class of
the city-but saloons were not in the
memorial.
Mr.. Steward said that the mercantile
license tax is that which it il proposed
to repeal.
Mr.. Teed said that this request was
not q novelty to him. He had ALWAYS
believed the tax on merchants is not
proper thing. He remarked that such
arrangements are usually considered at
the beginning of the fiscal year. He
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