The herald., 1894-03-07
WHY NOT BUILD A GREAT TOURISTS
HOTEL7

Inc Wonoer grows tnet no man, OF
set of men. or syndicate, has thought
it worth while to build q great tourists
hotel in Los Angeles. We have GER
tainly had all the incitations that would
lead public spirited men or a public
spirited community to undertake such
an enterprise. Wealth has poured in
on us in unstinted measure. The growth
OF this section, with Los Angeles IS its
inevitable and recognized metropolis,
has been something marvellous. Why
we have not responded to the special
favor shown US from the outside is a
miracle, because, like a miracle, it is
inexplicable.
As it is, We seem to be contented to
take anything that gravitates our way
in a spirit of resignation. People from
the east have come in here aud con-
verted our old adobe town into a spic,
span and new city, with everything that
the modern instructed demand could sug-
gest. Our business buildings-certsinly
ss to those lately erected-are surpassed
nowhere. Our private residences are
becoming palatial. The old 'dobe
structures are giving way to studies in
brick, granite, marble, terra Gotta and
wood-the latter. as to residences. the
ideal building material in q climate
like our own. Our population of IL 800
in the census Of 1880 had become 81, $3.50
by the census Of 1890. 1t was then real
ly 10000. 1t is easily between $4,000
and $4,000 now-nearer the latter than
the former figure. This Is proved by
the statistics OF the gas and water com.
panies, by the school census and by the
redundant population that surges
through our streets.
And yet Los Angeles, the cynosure Of
the eyes Of all tourists. is without good
hotel. We have some very comfortable
and attractive caravansariee, but moth
ing that would answer to the descrip-
tion of great tourists hotel. We have
erected superb public buildings that will
rival any Of those which challenge the
public notice anywhere in the United
-statss- But our hotels are still in the
Vocative. Florida boasts splendid tour
isG resorts all through her swamp ridden
confines, but the Incompatible city of
Los Angeles, which ought to have half
a dozen hotels, costing q million dollars
or upwards, is still where she was years
ago.
Are our people aware that they are
throwing away millions of dollars yearly
by this Rip Van Winkle syncope? They
do not act as il they were. And yet it
is true, nevertheless. An instance in
point is the fact that the Messrs. Robelt
7. Lincoln, Marshall Field and other
leading citizens of Chicago. arrived here
q month or so ago, went down to the
Hotel Coronado, on the peninsula oppo-
site San Diego, and remained there ever
since. They stayed there because they
found ample accommodations, under
picturesque conditions. Our neighbor-
ing city Of "baynclimste" was fortunate
in having enterprising people, who were
not afraid to put their shekels into a
noble structure whose complete equip
ment for comfort challenged their ad-
miration and enforced their patronage.
There are thousands of people who are
arriving in Southern California weekly
whose desiderAtum is comfort. Outlay
is either no object to these visitors or it
is q purely subsidiary one. They are
willing to give money for enjoym
and they exact quid pro quo.
How much longer can we afford to
trife with our natural advantages q?
Surely, even the dullest capitalist
amongst us. when he reflects, ought 20
realize that it is poor policy to compel
tourists to 60 elsewhere by failure to
provide him fitting accommodations.
By this peculiar policy we not only lose
the money which wealthy tourists would
spend in our midst, but we likewise lose
the incidental advantages which would
accrue to us from the presence here
during months devoted to recreation OF
persons of means and intelligence who,
during their stay, would familis rize
themselves with the innumerRble OPP
portunities which exist here for invest.
ment and legitimate speculation.
Thus, the Messrs. Lincoln. Field and
their party, after spending a month at
the Hotel Coronado, on their return to
Los Angeles put in just twenty-four
hours before taking wing for Santa Bar
bara, where, again, they find delightful
hotels, constructed with the utmost
nicely to catch the eye of the tourist.
And yet our own hotels are fall to
overlooking, and are apparently making
money hand over fist.
Why not build great tourist hotel in
the Angel city, and why not build it at
once? In fact, why not build several OF
them2 There's millions in this propo-
sition-millions that we allow to 90 else
whore, all through our own unaccount-
able perverseness.
IT Is now said that Lord Roseberrv was