The herald., 1895-07-30
A Visit to the Districts Where
Complaints Are Heard
MANY STREETS NEGLECTED
Total Abstinence Is Not Conducive to
Good Roads
With Pertinent Quotations from the City's
Street S2rinkling Contract

The recent agitation of the good roads
question has brought to light numerous
abuses in the sprInkling of the CITY
streets. Yesterday Herald representa-
tive, armed with a copy OF the contract
and specifications for street sprinkling,
set out to VISIT the districts from which
the loudest complaints have come.
The first trip was mado to the Westlake
district. According to the specifications
of the contract, Seventh street. from
Westiake park to the city limits (Hoover
street), shall be sprinkled the same as
regularly graded streets" AS matter
of fact Seventh street is only sprinkled
as far as Park View street, that is, to the
limit of the park. Beyond that point the
road is in a wretched condition, being
full of deep ruts and constantly dusty.
Many OF the residents living between
Park View street and the city limits were
interviewed. and it was the unanimous
testimony that no sprinkling was ever
done on that portion of the street. The
condition OF the road bears evidence
enough in support OF the claim. Some of
those who nave been inconvenienced by
the dust and general bad condition of
the highway have endeavored to keep it
IN better shape bv the use of their garden
hose. One lady said the greatest incon-
venience to her was the swearing of those
who frequently broke their vehicles in the
deep ruts.
Along the road between the park and
the center of the city there is noticeable
neglect in snrinkling the smaller side
streets. Most of the streets in the mid
die of town appear to be well watered.
Branching out again. however, in the
direction of Tenn ple road, further evidence
was found of the truth OF the statement
that "Los Angeles is remarkable for its
good climate and bad roads," The oity's
contract for street sprinkling includes
"Tempie road. from TEN pie sGreet to the
city limits" That specification evidently
has not been complied with. Temple
road is in deplvrable condition, such as
could only have resulted from total alb
stlnence." Those living along the un-
sprinkled portion gave substantially the
same statement as the residents inter-
viewed on Seventh street.
The outer portion of Downey. avenue,
lying between Alta street and the city
limitsf is not kept up as it should be.
Only narrow strip down the center of
the street is sprinked at all. and that not
any too often. On either side is broad
margin that is dusty and full of ruts.
Few complaints have been heard from
this section, as there are not many living
buoTe, uuI tuc dvcIuo lS IuuCu uocu Wy
those urlving in and out of the city. and
its present condition is consequently
great drawback to travel.
some of the short streets running
through the tract lying between the river
and the Southern Pacific freight depot
receive only infrequent visits from the
conservative sprinkler. -.---.---- ~ 49, %
Another portion of the city which is
sadly neglected is the Wolfskill tract. or
certain portions of it. Many Of the roads
are cut up badly.
A more extended examination would
doubtless reveal many more neglected
streets than those already named. Suffi-
cient was seen. however, to warrant the
statement that there is fiagrart neglect on
the part of someone.
Apropos of the above the following ex-
tracts are taken from the specifications
in the contract let by the city for street
sprinkling:
"All sprinkling shall be done to the
of the council or an officer
the council may designate. who shall
certify each month as TO the work having
been properly done. upon which certifi-
Gates payment shall be made.
'All streets must be sprinkled suffi-
cIently often to keen the dust thoroughly
laid, and all sprinkling carts must be at
work upon the streets continuously from
am. until 2 p. III. and from p. m. to
%. m, "