The herald., 1895-10-06
TO THE EDITOR
1.-THE Herald under this heading prints com
munications. but does not assume response
bility for the sentiments expressed
San Gabriel Valley ELECTRIC Road

Editor Herald Apropos of the rumo
which fill the air regarding the probable
action of the various eletric railway COM
panies and the happy, CHEEKY, positive
I way in which the public decides their
course for them, the writer takes 1t upon
himself to say a word in regard to Ger
tain section, most favored of all the fair
| portions or Southern California.
| Tne writer has not been so fortunate as
to have travelled in Southern France or
Italy. SO is personally not qcalihed to
make good comparison but he has time
and again heard those eminently so
qualified declare with enthusiasm that in
all their ramlbings in Southern Europe
nowhere does the eye rest upon more
enchanting prospect than that embraced
in the San Gabriel valley. The mount
| aims to the east and north, which,
| through clear atmosphere, display their
| splendid outlines, and which In mis-
| tier days are softened into equal beauty;
the sum mits of San Jacinto and San Ber-
naidinJ, ever mnipresent, as though they
were the seats of the tutelar deity-of
the valley; tbs dotted groves of orange
and fig, of lemon and olive. resting in
absolute peace, suggest that it is the
that here we have the vision which rose
before HIM when he lost himself in the
soul enhancing dream OF Rasselas.
Just on the western rise OF the San Ga
briel valley is the town of Alhamb bra.
which is distinctly worthy of such set
ting. Every street is lined with splendid
trees, with miles of beautiful hedges-the
Monterey cypress, the laurintinus, the
pomegranate predominating, but with
many other varieties. The vines and
flowers are for others. more ambitious to
climb TO higher flights.
1t does seem surprising that a town OF
such charming features should be so lit
tie known. 1t is the very ideal place in
which to make a home and set up ones
lares and penates. Just t1e proper dis
tance to be desirable and convenient to
the city, with miles of country on either
side capable OF being brought to equal
beauty. The water infinitely superior to
that OF Los Angeles, being brought from
mountain springs. And yet, with all
thess advantages ana numberless others.
the town is withheld from achieving her
future (thst of being the most desirable
by far of all the resident portions about
Los Angeles) by an inadequate system
OF rapid transportation.
Within mile of Alham bra to the east
is the San Gabriel mission, the Mecca of
all tourists. surrounded bv the quaint
village of that name. one of the few re-
uainihs toWnS typical OF Ola CalllOrnla
life, and one mile beyond, again to the
east, the San Gabriel hotel. with de-
hghtful surrounding country.
AT the same time that the companies |
are considering Colonel Carter's' prob |
lem of ''making an outlet from the gar.
den spot of earth to the sea. would it not |
he well to look eastward TO this stretch of |
country already dotted with towns, VII
lagos and communities.
1t Is we'll understood by this time that !
an electric line does not go into a section |
after the population there existing, but !
that 1t carries the population with it in
mbryo-that it is second Cademus, as
it were, people springing up along its |
path and following in its track.
The writer will venture the assertion
that no section within a radius OF ten
miles of the center of Los Angeles, offers |
a better prospect for better immediate re-
turns and more splendid future to an |
electric line, than out to and through Al |
hambra to East San Gabriel ard tripu- |
tary communities. AS to the com peting |
railroad systems, more anon.
R. II. B.