The herald., 1895-09-10
Views Of Two of the Leading
Annexation Exp0nents
BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED
Outlying Districts Anxious to Come Into
the City Limits
That Can Be Made Only Under
Huniclpal Legislation

Simply because but little has been seen
in tks newspapers for the past few days
about the matter, it must not be assumed
that the friends OF "a greater Los An
gsles'' have given up the fight, or that
they are any less enthusiastic over seeing
taeir project go through. This is not the
case, and the gentlemen who have been
at tho front of the movement are just as
saneuine and hopeful of accomplishing
their object as wnen they started out on
the project, and just as confident of ulti-
mate success. A Herald reporter yester-
day interviewed Hon. M. T. Allen ex-
United States district attorney. one of the
most ardent of the annexationists, who
stated that so far from the annexationists
being discouraged. they were, if anything,
more hopeful than ever. Mr.. Allen owns
1 handsome place at Highland Park, on
which he Is expending several thousands
Of dollars in making permanent improve
ments, and he thinks that coming into
the city will add several thousand dollars
to the value of his own place.sas well as
increase to material extsnt the value of
nieca of real estate in the district
which it is proposed to take into the city
limits. Mr.. Allen says that it is mis-
taken idea to suppose that it is the inten-
tion to take in large areas of compara-
lively unimproved property. AS matter
Of fact. the territory which it is now
proposed to take into the city comprises
only thas pieoe of mesa land just north
Of the city line on which number of
handsome residences are now in course of
erection or contemplation, at least, and in
which the property owners are practically
. unit for annexation. Among other
things, one of the principal objects of the
annexationists is the improvement of
Pasadena avenue, and this can only be
doue BY getting in the city and having
the ad vantage of municipal legislation.
This avenue is one of the handsomest in
the state and the people who have spent
their money in beautifying their resi-
dences ana grounds on that thoruugbfare
would like to have all the advantages of
being in the city limits. Mr.. Allen sad
1t was not beyond the range of possibili-
ties that Pasadena avenue would be
paved from the city limits to Pasadena
If the annexation project went through,
nd this would add to the value of every
piece OF property on the line, and add
thousands of dollars to the taxable wealth
oil the county. Another thing should not
DO OV0IiUokcu III COuSlueTl0S tDlS annex
alton proposition, so far as the north is
concerned, and that was that the proposed
extension was merely prolongation of
the north city line to the intersection
with Pasadena avenue. This section was
susceptible of the highest improvement:
the property owners werel all anxious to
improve, and it was only fair to give
them an opportunity to do so. Another
fact which was keeping things back. said
Mr.. Allen, was the belief in some quar-
ters that tbs annexation movement was
In some way directed against ths beer sa-
loon OF old Mrs. Grump. at Sycamore
grove. This, said Mr.. Allen, was erron-
eous,a no one had any objection to Mrs.
Grump running road house. Mr.. Allen
said that he had not given the subject
very much attention. as to the increase
that would result IN the value of the tax
able property from annexation, but he
thought that ST. 500. 600 would be
very conservative estimate.
Captain J. B. Neville, as a representa-
tive OF the southwestern se,tlon that is
moving tor annexation, was also inter-
viewed. Captain Neville resides on West
Twenty-seventh street, in the Harper
tract, and is one of the strongest advo-
trict which it us proposed to take in in
this direction includes Pico Heights,
Rosedale, University and Vernon. Tie
population OF the district is about II. 900,
with 5000 voters. The people in the Har-
Per tract, where there are many hand
some residences, are especially anxious
to get into the uIty. so that they can have
proper sewer facilities and can also have
better sanitary regulations. They also
want better facilities for street improve
ments and the convenlences which 90
with municipal government. The amount
o. improvements and real estate in the
district at present, Captain Neville
thought, was about $1,000, 900, and this
would be increased, at the lowest esti :
mate. at least one-third. The outlying
districts could come into the city at
present under peculiarly favorable con-
nitions, and Captain Neville thought
they should take advantage of the sitIla-
tion. especially as the increase in values
would more than compensate for the
comparatively slight increase in taxes.