The herald., 1896-07-28
Mass Meeting of Citizens at Los
Angeles Theater
GREAT THINGS HOPED FOR
Present Indications That the Enterprise
VIII Speedily Succeed
II Is the Hope Of the COMMITTEES That All
Public Spirited Citizens VIII
Be Present

The effort being put forth by the COM
mittee of prominent citizens having in
charge the arrangements for a gather
ing of business men and theip wives at
the Los Angeles theater Thursday even
ing next. seems likely to meet with graf
flying success. The personnel of the
committee as we'll as the important COM
mercial character of the enterprise,
have combined to awaken a deeper in
terest than has been manifested in local
financial circles for many years.
About 1000 invitations to the meeting
have been mailed already, and it is ex-
pected that several hundred more will
follow. 1t is the hope of the cdmmittee
that every business man and property
owner of the city will receive q personal
invitation, together with statement of
the present status of the enterprise and
of the plans for its elimination. The
course adopted by the committee of
mailing Individual invitations had for
it's object the furnishing of specific infor-
nation to the citizens of the present con-
dition Of the undertaking and of urging
reasons for its support. The plan was
not adopted as a means of excluding
anyone from the meeting whose social
or commercial interests would be of
value in promoting the work. 1t is
hoped that all citizens of the latter class,
though not recipients of individual in
vitations, will consider themselves as
much desired as attendants as those per-
sonally addressed.
At the head of the committee stands
Mr.. D. Freeman, acknowledged to be
one of the foremost capitalists and pub
lie spirited citizens of Southern Cali
fornia. Associated with him are the
leading journalists, bankers, railroad
men, real estate dealers, lawyers, poll
ticians and capitalists of the city. 1t is
a committee composed of such men as
now have in charge the greatest COM
mercial interests of this part of the
state Their endorsement of any under
taking is a sufficient guarantee or It's
merit and feasibility. In taking hold OF
this matter these gentlemen propose fol-
lowing a vigorous policy. They believe
that the work undertaken is easy OF ac-
complishment, and one in aid of which
they may rightfully call all public spir-
tied citizens to their support. or the
entire amount to be raised. nearly one
half is already pledged. There remains
to be raised about $4,000 and the prop
osition is to complete the work by popu-
lar subscriptions in small amounts A
part of the purpose OF the mestihs VIII
be to discuss ways and means of carry
ing out this plan. Some important SUP
scriptions will be announced at that
time. and it is expected that suo-com-
mittees will be appointed, by means OF
which the balance now required Will DE
raised before August 31st next
The committee is relying upon the UT
a1I Of fol tOl1rlSt
hotel in this city as sufficient induce-
ment to insure a large and enthusiastic
meeting OF all the enterprises when
may be undertaken for the promotion OF
the commercial prosperity OF the city
none promise such immediate and gen
erous returns as this thousands OF dol-
lars are annually expended in the festi-
vities of La Fiesta carnival and visitors
are invited from all parts of the CONT
nent to enjoy the delightful and diVersi-
fed scenery of the Golden state, TO par
ticipate in the joyous celebrations OF the
occasion, and incidentally to look over
the opportunities of profitable invest
ment in this city. But with all this lavish
expenditure for entertainment of guests
no provision is made for comfortably
housing the tourists while here. In
stead of finding accommodations equal
to those of less favored resorts they are
left to find lodging in merely commercial
nOIelS OF HOUSES VI SetA SiltllcL
in adjacent cities along the coast and
many miles from the city. No steps are
taken to induce them to remain within
the city's gates and to eXpend their sub
stance in the shops or the real estate Of
Los Angeles. The result is that the
great object of the annual carnival, that
of promoting local enterprises and NUM-
cipal prosperity is lost The tourist, after
a weeks stay and after the close of the
festivities, finds his sojourn an incon-
venient one and uncomfortable lodgings
no longer tolerable and avails himself
of the first opportunity to seek more hos
ptable surroundings. The result is that
the fair name of California is injured
by the just criticisms that Los Angeles
is great in all things but hospitality.
To the end that this unfortunate con-
dition may be measurab bly, relieved the
present enterprise has been undertaken.
The present indications point to crafty
ing success.