The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-16
AT rHBIp OLD TRICKS

Another little scheme Matched by the
Southern Pacific to injure San Pedro. has
come to light in time for action to
prevent such a glaring injustice being
perpetrated, which would have been the
case if certain little job which was
quietly put up, had gone through without
attracting the attention of those interest
ed in the welfare of that place, before the
stamp of legality had been put upon 1t.
In the last issue of the San Pedro Times
seemingly innocent notice" was pub
lished, entitled Notice Of hearing OF Pc
tition for the vacation of all streets, al
leys, and roads, and the reversion TO
acreage of all the lots and blocks in the
town OF San Pedro Harbor." This pro-
clamation proceeds to state that notice is
hereby given of the petition OF George ii.
Peck, Jr., ct al, and will be heard before
the Board of Supervisors in Los Angeles
on March 81. 1895, at 80 o'clock pm.
1t is apparently very unimportant
matter, the reverson to acreage OF land
which had been subdivided for speculat-
i've purposes, and formed into the BOOM
town of San Pedro Harbor, and one TO
which no reasonable person could offer an
objection, but in reality the ELECT OF
granting the petition wouli be to Dust
the public from the enjoyment OF the
road known as Pacific avenue, the contln-
uation of West street, San Pedro, to the
United States lighthouse at Point Firmln'
and Whites Point on one hand and from
gaining access to the city burial ground,
by Hamilton avenue on the other, con-
sequences which would be most injurious
to the interests OF San Pedro. The drive
from San Pedro to Whites Point is one
of the most charming on the whole coast,
and in course of time an ocean boulevard
will extend from San Pedro, along Whites
Point and Portuguese Bend to Redondo,
and will prove an immense attraction to
both OF these places. As regards the APP
proach to the cemetery it is needless to
say more. as all will grant the necessity to
a community of such a road.
Who, then, has signed such petition,
and what is its object? With the excep-
ton of George H. Peck, Jr., no one has
signed the petition who is bona tide
resident of San Pedro, and on being ques-
toned in this regard Mr.. Peck says he
would not have signed it had he known
it would be possible to cut off these
means of communication. The other
signers are J. B. and William Banning,
non-residents of either San Pedro or Will
mington, but members of the Wilmington
Transportation Company; Thomas b.
Hayes NJ. Hildebrandt, saloon keeper;
A. Laubersheimer, J. P Sylvia T. Cow
ley, M. Roster, storekeepers; ]. j. Mates,
and A. Young, manager OF the Winning
ton Transportation Company's machine
shops, and all residents of Wilmington.
Why does this petition for the closing OF
roads on the other side of San Pedro, and
in an opposite direction from Wilmington,
emanate from residents of another COM
munity? With just as much fairness and
reason might citizens of San Pedro petit
ton for the closing OF the roads between
Wilmington and Long Beach.
AS to the object, there is rider to the
petition signed by Aaron Smith, agent for
the Pacific improvement Company, pray
ing it may be granted, as that company
owns land adjoining and surrounding
said streets and alleys The P. l. Co. is
well known to San Pedrans as the glove
which encases the iron hand of the
Southern Pacific Railroad corporation, and
| this corporation wished this opportunity
| to retaliate upon San Pedro for the de-
! termined fight they have made against
them on harbor matters, by cutting off
access to the points named by public road
and when San Pedro eventually gets the
appropriation for harbor purposes they
would have uncontrolled possession of the
property known as the town of Port San
Pedro and could occupy it as they
pleased without regard to the rights which
now belong to the city in the use Of these
roads.
Roman de Sapulveda has secured nu-
meroualy signed petition which will be
presented in opposition to the one pre-
scented by the Southern Pacific and it's
agents. Mr.. Sepulveda is one of the larg-
est property owners in that section, and
fully appreciates the harm contempla ed !;
| the Board of Trustees of San Pedro Also
at their meeting on Thursday evening
drew up vigorous protest, and instructed
their legal adviser, Francis J. Thomas, TO
| present the same in person, at the time
appointed, to the Board OF Supervisors,
and the general public now await with in
| terest the next move on the part of the
Southern Pacific, as they confidently ex-
| pect this one has been very effectually
checked.