The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-08

The Needs of tho City and n Few sug-
eestions.
The following address was delivered


The Needs of tho City and a Few sug-
esstioas.
The following address was delivered
by Mayor RAIDER to the new council:
GENTLEMEN: In assuming the duties
of chief executive of the "Queen City"
of the Pacific coast, it seems to me en-
inently proper and appropriate, at the
outset of this new administration, to
call your attention to the more imme-
diate needs of the municipality, and 20
offer q few suggestions with reference
thereto. hoping that they will commend
themselves for your future elaboration.
In all matters pertaining to our future
conduct, az public servants. it is well for
us to be mindful of the fact that the new
administration which today assumes
charge OF the affairs OF this city Is
pledged to the utmost economy in all
municipal matters consistent with the
future welfare and interest of our grow
ing community. We realize the fact
that the expense OF carrying on the az
fairs of young and growing city like
this is necessarily greater than in the
older and more established cities OF the
east. and it is. therefore, all the more
necessary to exercise the greatest cau-
ton and economy in ell public matters,
and see that the city obtains full value
for all its expenditures OF public mon
eys. My observations lead me to the
conclusion that cities are healthy and
prospeyoua in proportion to the enters
prise and spirit OF liberality displayed
by their public officers, and I am there's
fore in favor or following liberal policy
in all matters of public improvements,
and encouraging progress without prodi-
gality. r'-
The growth OF Los Angelica during the
past 10 years has been something extra
ordinary, and it's wonderful develop
ment in both lite public and private al
fairs is not only marvellous, but beyond
all comparison in thu line OF municipal
progress snd prosperity with anything on
the Pacific coast. We astonish even our
selves when we reflect that in 10 years
this city has added over 60, 600 people to
its population. Knowing this. and hav-
ing an abiding faith in our future, it
certainly is not unreasonable for US to
presume that, under existing circum-
stances, the tide OF trade and travel hav-
ing been turned our way, the growth of
! our city during the remaining years OF
the century will not only Outstrip the
past, but will overreech the widest
dream OF the most visionary mind of
the present day. 1t therefore behooves
Va, in making our calculations for all
municipal mprovemente, to anticipate
our future. and to build on firm and
latting foundation. We should exercise
the greatest wisdom and foresight, and
endeavor TO realize the possibilities OF
the future, and to build for tie future.
GOOD STREETS ESSENTIAL.
Probably the most essential thing to
the beauty of city, and the conven-
fence OF its inhabitants, ia good high
ways. Much OF the street work done in
the past few years has not been up to
the specifications, and while the law
places the power OF the acceptance of
work in the atreet superintendent, still
the general supervision which you have
over the welfare OF the citv, would, be-
lieve. justify your board of public works
in examining each week all ouch work
in progress, and holding contractors
more strictly to the letter of the specifi.
cations.
The contracts and specifications for
sweeping and sprinkllng streets are euf-
tciensly explicit to insure good. work, if
lived up to, and | suggest that in ad-
dition TO the inspection already required
you make it the duty OF the police to re-
port in writing every "a hours all in~
stances of failure to properly sweep or
sprinkle any street, or portion thereof,
on their respective beats.
SEWER SYSTEM SHOULD BE PUSHED.
The outfall sewer being completed, we
should, for sanitary reasons. push our
lateral system to completion as rapidly
"a possible.
BE LIBERAL WITH THE PARKS.
The subject OF parks is one that is
dear 10 the most OF our citizens. and l
believe that liberal appropFiations.c cares
fully expended, will meet with unani-
nous approval from all classes. Espec-
tally does the time seem to have come
for the improvement OF Elysian park,
and | commend to your careful notice
the TACT thst this work should be- done
upon aoms carefully prepared plan, fully
investigated and settled upon bsfore
any considerable sum ia expended.
FOR BETTER LIGHTS.
A contract having been entered into
for lighting our city during the next two
years it will devolve upon you to zee
that it's pro visions Gro faithfully COM
piled with. | would suggest that you
make it the duty of all night patrolmen
connected with the police department
to inspect the lights Ia their respective
districts every night and report in
writing each defective light and the
time for which Haid light failed to burn
properly.
ATTENTION TO STREET RAILWAYS.
Street railway franchises are granted
with the expectation that the grantee
will live up to their conditions, and |
would suggest that in addition to the
committee cow provided for, your hon
orable body appoint a committee whose
duty it shall be TO inspect ali street rail-
way tracks with reference to their con-
dition 40 TO being on grade, etc, also TO
investigate and frequently report 70 you
as to the service given by the different
car lines, Much complaint is being
made Of the condition OF the streets
along street railway linea as we'll as OF
the inadequate service in aome parts OF
the city, and believe sueh conmittes
could accomplish much good.
EXAMINE POLICEMEN CAREFULLY.
Our police department. ia growing
more efficient each year and might,
belieye, be- made much more so if g
more complete SET OF rules and reguie-
tions were adopted and the oualifiea-