The herald., 1893-07-25
ECONOMY IN STREET PAVING,
Some Good Doctrine Preached
by the Mayor.
proceedings Yesterday by the City
Council.
The Mayor Endorses the BTidwInter Fair
STREET sprinkling-Ordinances
Adopted and Reports
Received.


O'Clock in the city hall yesterday. All
the members were present. 1t then ad-
1ourned, and the members Immediately
met again as the city council.
THE yAyoR's MESSAGE.
His honor the mayor the mayor pre-
sented the following mesaage, which was
at once read by the city clerk.
To the Honorable Council OF the City Of Los
Angeles:
My attention has been called to the
comparatively high prices in the bids on
contracts for street improvements under
the bond section of the street law. A
few months ago the Los Angeles street
contract was let at 16 cents per square
foot for cement sidewalk and 4S cents
per lineal foot for cement ourbing. The
contract recently let on Washington
street calls for 1917 cents per square foot
and 80 cents per lneal foot for sidewalk
and curbing respectively.
To my personal knowledge the same
quality Of work under the city apeciica-
tions is being done on Pico street by
reputable contractors at 10 cents and SO
cents for csrh.
Contractors who bid for work under this
section of the street law Allsge that they
must get high prices owing to the un-
certain value OF the bonds, and admit
that they are willing TO make q liberal
discount for cash.
The average property owner with his
60-feet front lot has not, aa q general
rule, much ready cash and cannot take
advantage of the contractors offer, and
the results that the Improvement costs
him from 10 to 20 per cent more than it
should, and the bond bears interest.
The city attorney informs me that q
suit ia now in court to test the validity
of these street Improvement bonds. and
when decision 10 rendered the case
will be at once appealed to the supreme
court for final determination. While l
consider 1t very desirable that the
property holder should have ample
time to pay for such improvements, un-
der the present condition OF affairs, he
gains the privilege at too high cost.
recommend that except in cases OF
public necessity. future work of street
improvement under the bond section of
the street law be deferred until the
validity of such bonds has been estab-
lished. When this is done the bonds
will sell at par or a premium and
contractors will bid accordingly.
MrDwINTER FAIR.
On the Sd inst. the board of super
visofs of this county appointed 7. d.
Stimson, E. P. johnson and L. A. Shell
don to act with like sppointsss Of other
bodies as an organizing committee to
sseist San Francisco in her endeavors to
hold Ia that city midwinter fair. The
holding of the fair would undoubtedly
be great benefit, not only to Southern
California but to the people Of the en-.
tire Pacific coast. l recommend that
your honorable body also appoint q
committee OF citizens to assist in this
laudable undertaking.
7. E. Rowan, Mayor.
Los Angeles, July "a. 1909.
On motion the message was referred
to the com mittee of the whole.
FREE LABOR BUREAU. &Ns
The managepof the free labor bureau
reported that during the past week 100
applications had been made for posi-
lions, and Sc had been supplied.
NO. SIS CREW.
The fre commissioners then present
I'd a communication recommending the
appointment by ordinance OF crew for
he new engine, company No. s, con-
letting OF one engineer. two drivers aud
our callmen. Adopted, and the city
ttorney instructed to prepare the
Necessary papers.
SUPERINTENDENT OF BUILDINGS.
The superintendent Of buildings pre-
ented a communication recommending
hat an ordinance should be passed
pecifying the number of rooms that
hall comprise dwelling house, and
Dmewhat amending the present ordin-
nee in relation to the same.
Mr.. Muneon explained that resident
his ward desired to erect costly
hiding, but that the superintendent Of
hilaines thought that the present or
nance would not allow him to DO go.
The city attorney, on motion, was in
Iructed to present an ordinance amend
e the present one 80 as to obviate the
ifficulty.
FIRE limits.
Mr.. Gaffey called attention to the fact
! the frequent changes made in the
limits of the different fire districts,
haking it difficult matter to always
bcate them.
The city attorney was instructed to
prepare an ordinance incorporating the
different limits and thus definitely de-
termining them.
On'motion OF Mr.. Gaffey the city en-.
gineer WAS instructed to establish the
grade of Turner street between Vi2nes
street and its eastern terminus.
STREET sPRINKLING DEPARTMENT.
Mr.. Teed moved that the euperintend-
snt of the street sprinhling departm ent
have the leaking hydrants on Figueroa
etrcct, between Adams and Jefferson, rer
paired at once and also have the hydrant
pn Adams street, opposite St. James
park, put in order go it can be used.
Adopted.
President Teed also moved that the
Fater overseer be directed to clean and
epair zapja S-r south OF Jefferson street
Immediately, in order to prevent the
sme from overhowing into Figueroa
rect. Adopted.
Mr.. Teed moved that the superin-
ndent Of the street sprinkling depart
ent forbid the drivers OF his sprink-
hg carts from watering their horses in
ezanja on Figueios and Washington
reet5, and that the chief of police be
fected to arrest other persons driving