The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-19
LETTER BAG.
THE HERALD under this heading prints COM
but dos not assume RESPONSE
oility for the sentim ents en- pressed.l

hat in the present times of depression
and enforced idleness that few sugges-
tions might not be ont OF place. so with
your kind permission will as briefly
and concisely as possible endeavor to
give practical answer to the following
question:
How can we give profitable employ
ment to the unemployed. and in doing 90
not only secure the city and county
against loss but make such employment
q source of revenue to the city and
county, or TO such individuals as may
subscribe the required capital? I will
ask you to keep the whole of THE
question in mind. To give employees
is not enough. We must make
it source OF revenue. will
first briefly refer to what has
been done by another committee
under similar circumstances, and as it 10
an old saying that "What man has
done man can do" and similar causes
under similar conditions produce the
same effects, therefore in proposing q
plan to answer the above question it can
be safely assumed that they are mot
visionary or utopisn but safe and prac-
ticable.
n kcW yoatn kku Al tu6 lbiaHu VI
Guernsey q similar state of things ex-
listed that confronts us today--a financial
depression. A public meeting was
called, and az public market was
needed, it wss proposed to build one.
A committee was sent to London to try
and raise loan Of 81. 000,0 900, bonds be-
ing furnished to secure that amount.
The committee returned with the report
that the London bankers and inanciers
refused to advance the needed cap
ital. A second meeting was called.
and as the island contained all
the necessary material for building
q market and all the skilled snd I'M
skilled labor needed to erect the build
ing it was proposed to do it by the issu-
ing OF scrip, which would be accepted
for rent from stalls and market privil-
eyes as we'll as taxes. The local farmers
and merchants we're asked il they would
accept this scrip ct par. The farmers
answered in the affirmative and after
the merchants had made arrangements
with Wholesale houses to extend their
time of pay ment for goods they gave q
similar answer. To be brief, the market
house was built under these conditions,
profitable labor furnished all unemployed
men on the island, as well az securing
commercial prosperity. The scrip men
toned was accepted for rent and taxes.
few years later on the scrip was all
returned to the public treasury an6 pub
licly burned amid great rsjoicings. Net
results: A market was built without
capital, profitable employment given to
all who needed it, commercial prosper
ity insured to the community. and today
that market place stands . source OF
revenue and the pride OF the citizens of
Guernsey. Space forbids further COM
ments on this matter.
Ipropose the following plans, any one
or all of which might be sdvantageously
adopted, as they will answer the praoti-
cal question that headH this article:
Firat-The building OF public water
works. MIR. Fred Mott, q well known
and reputable citizen of Los Angeles
county, has stated that to his certain
knowledge an abundant supply of good
water could be obtained within IL miles
OF this city, enough not only to supply
this city for years to come. but to supply
city three times az large as Los Angeles,
with water for every purpose. including
The building of large water works Of this
kind woald furnish employment to all
the idle men in our community, while
labor would be the first grest item OF
expense in this undertaking. Some
might object ON account OF the capital
required to purchase the pipe, ETC., but
think If properly negotiated the east
ern manufacturers would be willing to
accept city bonds az direct pay ment,
thus avoiding 6 public sale of such bonds
and the commission to bankers and
other mi6dlemen. cannot possibly do
jnstice to the matter here. l simply
offer the ides as suggestion. not as q
perfected plan.
NY second proposition would be to
bring water from the ocean into the city
OF Los Angeles TO supply the private
dwellings, hotels and lodging houses
with sea water baths, to build and fur
nish a frst-clasH natatorium in connec-
ton with the scheme. To sprinkle our
streets with this health-giving water
and to flusb our sewer system with
same; it would be very great attrac-
ton to our city, it would be cheaper and
healthier than our sprinkliug system, 1T
would be luxury all alike could enjoy
without the expense of going to the sea-
side, and last but by no means lesst in
this matter, 1t would be a continual
source of revenue to the city.
|
pleasure grounds and pavilion. This
idea would mean the purchasing OF a
tract of land, part of which could be
etsked off es building sites. The i'm
provements carried would greatly en-
nance the value OF these sites, and the
money received from the sale of such
lots would 90 far towards paying
the cost of the whole undertaking.
Such pleasure grounds as can
be easily imagined not only in.
crease the value of municipal
property generally, but would be o
source of pleasure and instruction. In
connection with this idea it may be
stated that the climate here 10 specially
adapted to botanical garden, and with
comparatively little labor and expense
Los Angeles could successfully ri
val the great botanical collection
at Kew gardens, London, which is
the admiration and wonder of the
civilized world. There ia no need for me
to write more in connection with the
pavilion, we sill know how badly such q
place is wanted for horticultural and
other exhibits. The race course could
be made one of the greatest successes o
this city if sufficient inducements were
held out to secure spring and fall meet
ings.
Other suggestions might be offered bu
these three eeem to answer the question
in the most practical and direct manner
possible. Now al to the means OF pay
ment: Let bonds be issued in various de