The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-29

till Lakeview was annexed and the Gem
eteries were moved. On the west side
il was the same; and also on the south.
Al of these anneXations were fought by
scared people who talked of higher taxes;
but the favoring arguments were too
strong for them. All were carried
triump hsntly.
In Hyde Park the opposition was long
est continued. That was a proud little
community that estimated its good things
all sufficient for welfare. 1t had its own
water works, its electric lighting plant,
and the magnificent Jackson park. No,
its people would not come under city
rule. But they thought twice, and at
last voted to be annexed, and they have
rejoiced thereat ever since. James 7.
Root. the prominent lawyer and politi-
clan who led the opposition, has told
mo that the carrying of the annexation
was worth to Hyde Park $5,00O,000 the
first year, in the enhanced values of real
estate. Why may not the consequences
of their annexation be at least proper
tionate for Pico Heights, Rosedale. Uni
versity and Vernon.
u. S. Gross IL Co., real estate firm OF
Chicago, engaged exclusively in building
suburban towns, may be applied to for
valuable facts bearing on the present case
in Los Angeles, MIR. Gross has informed
me that his Lakeview suburbs of Grass
Park and Argyle were on the average OF
lots and Improvements benefited by the
annexation of Lakeview to that city from
60 to 100 per cent. His similar creations
on the west side, of Annondale and u nder
the Linden, have each benefited about
as greatly from annexation. His new
suburb of South Oak Park is beyond the
city limits to the west. but his ADVERTISE
ments call on intending buyers to buy
now. and so get the benefit of the rise
after being taken into the city. He
proves to them conclusively that the rise
certain to follow upon annexation will re-
turn to them nearly the whole of their
investments. Mr.. Gross has further toll
me that the taxable values in his suburbs
have not beeincreased py the assessors
since they we're annexed. / have applied
at both tho county and the city assessors'
offices for confederation of the statement.
The assessors in both Offices assured me
that it is the policy, approved by every
body, to make extremely low valuations
in all the annexed districts, not actually
build up in solid blocks. This liberal
pollcy will no doubt be adopted in Los
Angeles, where encouragement to home
MAKERS mas always been gwen.
Not that some advantages do not occur
to the municipality of Chicago from pos
session of the new territory; not that
some advantages will not accrue to the
municipality OF Los Angeles from any
annexation that may take place. 1t is
inevitable and right that there should be
some such gain. But it is shown in the
instance of Chicago that the acoruing
benefits are mutual. they are entirely
satisfactory to the people of the old city
and of the new territories added. But it
is a mistake to suppose that these new
territories are all built upon. Some are
hardly settled upon at all. There are
thousands of bare acres in the $50 square
miles contained in Chicago. Besides,
there is one lake, the Calumet, which
covers six square miles. Over all this ex-
tended territory the central postoi1ice de-
livers and collects the mails, BY means
OF carriers and sub pos toifices. So if
there shall be. after anneXing the wait
ing suburbs, few acres of unoceuped
mesa in Los Angeles, it will be nothing
to be alarmed at.
To conclude. it is greatly to be hoped
for the reasons stated, and others that
will occur to most minds, that on Octo-
Der Sd majority of those voting on the
question of annexation will vote for the
proposition. If such shall be the result
Los Angeles will be placed at once in the
column OF cities having 100 900 popula-
ton; and from the day the happy an
nouncem ent is made, the work of in
creaslng the population to $50, 900 will be
easy and soon accomplished.
f. y. EASTMAN.