The herald., 1896-01-14

would suggest, however, that the vacant
space adJuluing The city halt ON the north
might well be devoted to a building for a
library. and that possibly. were the lot
provided, some of our philanthroplc citi-
Zens desiring to erect for themselves
monument which should preserve their
memory and become an immense benefit
to the people of the city, might contribute
such sums as would be necessary to equip
the public library in the better quarters 1t
so much deserves.
PARKS
"Every citizen of Los Angeles has reason
to feel proud of her beautiful parks.
Though small in area, the parks now COM
pieted are a source of constant pleasure to
our own people and great satisfaction to
the ranger within our gates. With the
growth of the city, however. comes the
need for greater park area for the pleasure
and entertainment Of the public and as an
attraction to tourists. IN NV judgment
nothing can exceed in importance the me-
cessity of the early beautifying and COM
pleting of Elysian park. Nature has done
much for the Elysian hills, but they need
the finishing touches of the hand of man
to make them the crowning glory of our
beautiful park system. Wide boulevards
established on easy grades. and lined with
tropical trees, should be built in various
directions through the parks, and several
attractive entrances. at least 12O feet in
width, should be constructed into the park,
giving easy access to the system of drives
within. Were this done, and other in
terror improvements made to keep pace
herewith, the park would become in a
short time the most attractive pleasure
spot in California. I earnestly hope you
will give this subject your serious thought
and evolve some plan by which funds may
be obtained for this improvement. Vari-
GUS recommendations of the superintend-
ent OF parks are deserving of your careful
consideration.
STREETS
Zone of the most essential things to the
beauty of any city and the convenience
and pleasure of it's citizens is good streets.
"Wbile have no criticism to offer on
work in general, desire especially to call
your attention to the necessity of opening
First street west from Broadway as early
as possible. The new city Jail will be COM
Dleted in q few months and L certainly
hope the First street cut will be an accom-
plshed fact before this Jail is ready for
use and placed in possession of the city.
''In line with the idea of street and park
improvements for the benefit and pleasure
of the people, is also the convenience of
the public in reaching the center and busi-
ness portion of the ci " from all directions
in the quickest and safest way. Consider
the fact that to reach the court house from
either the west or north it is necessary to
go long distance around or through very
narrow streets. made dangerous and at
times almost impossible by tho crush of
street cars and vehicles. The remedy for
this dangerous and undesirable approach
to the center of the city lies in the opening
of Broadway north by means of a
tunnel for the benefit of the people
OF the north, and a tunnel at some
point through the hills to the west. The
opening of North Broadway should not
only provide safer and more direct ap-
proach to E!ysian park and East Los An
safe access to the city for all the northern
country, including Pasadena and other
outlying villages through the San Fernando
valley. | believe the property owners are
in favor of making these improvements at
the earliest possible time and | commend
them to your careful and early considera-
ton.
1.-THE duties which the police commits
sioners have been called upon to perform
during the past year have called for much
courage, firmness and discretion. The
liquor question has received a great share
of attention, with a view of putting the
traffic in the safest possible hands, as it ia
believed by the commission that the char
acter of the individual engaging in the
traffic should be the first consideration in
granting applications for licenses. The
liquor business is traffic in which much
depends upon the method of it's carrying
on, and it is more important that discre-
ton be used in discriminating than the
paltry revenue coming to the city for
licenses.
1.-THE police department as now consti-
tuted consists of eighty-two men, of which
number sixty-three are available for patrol
duty. The efficiency of the force is fully
demonstrated in the report of the chief as
to the vast amount of work ACCOMPLISHED
during the past year. The great growth of
the city and the fact of its covering SO
large an area, demands, in my opinion, an
increase of the police force, and | am sure
the public would justify the additional ex-
pense such an increase would make
necessary. This suggestion by the chief,
and his request for double teams for the
patrol wagons. should not be looked upon
as indicating a lavish extravaganza, but as
indicating q desire to meet our growing
needs.
Every portion of the city should share
in the protection afforded by the police de-
partment, and the question of establish
ing branch stations for the outlying dis
tricts, as we'll as the increase of the force,
should be thoroughly investigated before
estimates are made up for another year.
Il commend TO your attention several
recommendations made by the chief in his
annual report, believing you will do ali in
your power along the lines indicated.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
1.-THE board of fire commissioners during
the past year have given close attention to
the responsible duties which devolve upon
them, and are entitled to much praise for
the good results that have followed their
vigorous and intelligent efforts. At times
everything depends upon the prompt ac-
ton of this department in responding to
calls for aid, and we cannot overestimate
the importance of adequately providing
them with the necessary modern appli-
ances and conveniences with which to ac-
complish the purposes for which the de-
partment is originated. 1t is to be re-
gretted that so many owners of buildings
manifest such marked indifference re-
gardng fire escapes. The chief of the fire
department, the superintendent of build
ings and the fire commission have repeat
edly urged property owners to comply with
the ordinance regulating fire escapes, and
while many have done so, others have en-
hibited spirit of stubbornness very pro-
voking to The department and not in keep