The herald., 1896-10-05
1T means 4 GREAT DEAL
Action of the Labor Con-
gress Yesterday
BEAR|NG ON MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP
Unanimous Sentiment for It and
for N. P. Snyder
IS NO NEED FOR HURRY
The Plea Made BY Friends Of T. E.
A Very Extraordinary Presentation Of the
Great Issue
is NO NEED FOR HURRY
The Plea Made BY Friends Of I. e.
Rowan
A Very Extraordinary Presentation Of the
Great Issue
The Fusion Proposition Being Consid-
cred by the Joint Committee. Who
Are Making Harmonious Pro-
gress-Silver Republicans.


gress-Silver Republicans.
The friends Of M. p. Snyder have ev-
cry reason to be congratulated. The
handsome endorsement which the can
didacy Of that gentleman for mayor re-
ceived yesterday at the hands of the
! labor congress means a great deal-not
only for Mr.. Snyder but for the PROPOSE
| ton of municipal ownership Of the city
| water plant.
The labor congress has in this instance
voiced the feeling and sentiments of
500 voters who are practically a unit
for municipal ownership and in the
forthcoming city campaign propose to
cast their ballots for only such candi-
dates as are in line on the water ques-
| lion.
The workingmen of Los Angeles are
vitality interested in this matter. They
have been fooled before by wishy-washy
candidates. but they do not propose to
be fooled again by electing any uncer-
tain quantities to office.
The fact that Mr.. Snyder's candidacy
means a great deal when one stops to
| think.
The labor congress Is made up Of del
egates from the thirty or more different
trades unions in the city. The delegates
are some Democrats, some Populists and
some Republicans. Therefore when they
all unite on Mr.. Snyder for mayor it is
IN no sense the endorsement of one par
fool aoy.try ,ls,-A
In truth, the labor congress is in no
sense allied with any political party. It's
actions In politics is independent Of all
parties. Men and measures only are
approved that are consonant with the
public good.
Therefore the. endorsement Of Mr..
Snyder by the labor congress will give
an additional impetus to his canvass for
mayor and it makes him q very strong
| candidate.
| The precincts in which Mr.. Snyder is
receiving the most opposition. are those
| which are controlled by the Los Angeles
City Water company or by those cor
| porations in sympathy with 1t in its
fight against that gentleman's candi-
| dacy. r
The water company now realizes the
fact that in order to defeat Snyder 1t
will not only be necessary to let loose of
large sack. but it will also be COM
PEELED to have the assistance of other
corporations who are not desirous of see-
ing the proposition of municipal own
ership. Of the water plant advanced as
it will simply be, they fear, forerun-
| ner Of other reforms to be inaugurated.
For this reason the corporations of Los
Angeles would be very much pleased to
see M. P. Snyder turned down in the
Democratic city convention.
| But If the full. Democratic vote is poll
ed at the primaries next Wednesday be-
tween 5 and 8 p.4 m. then the sentiment
| of the party can be honestly and fully
expressed in the convention.
| But If suffers and heelers are permit
| ted to get in their work and no attempt
Is made by the great mass of the party
| to see that good men are sent to the con-
vention the cause of municipal owner
ship may get set back.
The Sunday World, In advocating the
candidacy of T. e. Rowan for mayor,
has this to say:
II think that the city ownership of
water might possibly prove good thing
for the people, but as long as a firm coun-
Gil can fix the water rates at popular
figures 1t is an open question whether or
not the municipal ownership would
| prove an unmixed blessing. It would
create more political jobs and it would
be conducted In the usual way when
| political panderers have the handling, at
| a loss, and with the attachments Of
scandal and abuse Of power that almost
| invariably accompany an ordinary mu-
nicipal attempt to do business in an un-
business like way. Mr.. Snyder, in his
| gallery play, ordered the city engineer
| to prepare full plans and specifications
for water system. AS understand
that department is overcrowded with
work, and Mr.. Snyder. one of the finance
committee. has repeatedly protested
against its extravaganza" How are
these extensive plans to be prepared
| without considerable cost to the city?
Mr.. Rowan, who in his card urges that
T! there Is no rush about the water ques-
| tion and that the evil can be met when
the time arrives, is far more sensible
The water company people, who are
among our representative citizens, are
not thieves and plunderers, but they
will insist on their rights. and who can
| blame them? If they are sharper in
sattlng the contract than the city, then
! they deserve their success. It is busi-
! ness affair, purely, and the city must see
to it that its representatives are able to
cope with those on the other side. 1t is
a big case of swapping jack-knives. and
must be treated in a business like, cold
blooded way. and not In the wild-eyed
| fashion Mr.. Snyder recommends In the
1 ScGC
| will be weighed on its merits, and that
Is the way It should be treated at pres
ent.
1.-THE water company means to perfect
its organization on all sides. 1t will con-
troll the nominations of all the candi-
dates If 1t can, its stockholders are thick
| on the membership list of the So called
reformers. This is part of their plan to
have fair show, il not more, and must
be met with as sharp blade. How this
can best be done would not venture to
suggest. Ihad dhoped to see the good and
well-meaning reformers tackle the
proposition, but as they have so many
water and corporation people in their
membership they probably won't touch
1t, either
In the above article mention is made
of a Arm council to fix water rates,
When the present council was engaged
| in fixing water rates, Mr.. Snyder was so
| firm In the matter that his course great
ly dfspleased the water company. He
insisted on a substantial reduction Of
| rates and because he did so he was at the
| time threatened by the officers of that
c6rporstion With political oblivion. But