The herald., 1897-08-03

of the present lease. This means the
loss of much valuable time, while the
conviction must already be entertained
on the part of the water company thai
the determination of the citizens to owr
| and operate a water system under mu.
nicipal control is firm, unyielding, and
| not to be despoiled of final accomplish
| ment.
| In contemplating this feature of arbi
tration at this time it is unnecessary fol
the parties in interest to speculate as
to the validity of existing lease or con-
tract, since this step will be taken inde-
pendent thereof and its fortuitous out
come would be happy solution of the
whole question. If in any pending OF
| subsequent litigation the contract
should be declared invalid, arbitration
would then be natural method of decid-
| ing upon the amount of compensation
to pass for the property involved; on
the other hand, if the validity of the con-
| tract is sustained, arbitration necessar
| lily follows, since it is $50 nominated in
the bond"
In keeping with the foregoing resume,
your committee beg leave to respectfully
recommends:
First-That a consulting board, con-
sisting of three competent engineers, be
selected by your honorable body, and
commissioned to examine with care and
fidelity the specifications, details and
plans for the new water system prepared
by Mr.. Dockweiler, In so far as they per-
tain to said headworks, conduit and res
ervoir, to the end that they may report
to this body, first, the feasibility and
practicabilty of the proposed system;
second, its comparative availability
(a) as a supply to new system, and (b)
as an additional supply to the old sys-
tenn, and, third, the estimated cost there
Of And to make such other report as
may be deemed pertinent and fitting In
the premises.
Second-That upon the determinat ton
as above of the correctness, plans and
desra bility of said headworks system,
your honorable body take immediate
steps, provided no legal objections exist,
to afford the people an opportunity to
vote bonds for the construction Of said
headworks system, main supply con-
duit and high level reservoir at an esti-
mated cost of $335,O00.
Third-That this committee be au-
thorized and instructed to submit to the
committee acting for the Los Angeles
city Water company and the Crystal
Springs Land and Water company a
proposition to Immediately submit to
arbitration the question of the value Of
the properties of said companies
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY
Councilman Baker moved the report
be approved. Mr.. Ashman stated that
he had not seen the report and wanted
time to examine it.
Councilman Hutchison moved to
amend by making motion that it be
received and filed
Councilman Mathus made substitute
motion to refer the matter to the city at
torney, stating as reason therefor
that there was a number of suits pend
ing against the city in the superior court
and he thought it better to proceed
slowly.
Councilman Grider was opposed to
calling on the city attorney. He wanted
to understand the report fully so he
could vote on it intelligently.
Councilman Hutchison said: "It seems
to me we are adopting a novel sort of
proceeding 1t looks as though the water
company, from the report, was seeking
vindication of some sort"
Chairman Silver asked do you make
that as charge against the commit
tee?"
Councilman Hutchison's answer was
to the effect that if the shoe fitted they
could wear+it.
Councilman Toll poured oil on the
troubled waters by stating his readiness
to give the gentleman time to read the
report and said he would vote for the
substitute motion, and that motion pre-
vailed Mr.. Nickel wanted an early an
swer, and the vote was given.
A SERENADE
The chair announced that the Seventh
Regiment band was in the corridor for
the purpose of serenading the members,
and an adjournment was had to listen
TO the music.
Chairman Silver stepped out and
thanked the band on behalf of the coun-
Gil, stating that while he was a great
lovr of music, and the city ought to
furnish financial aid to such superb
organization, he regretted to state that
the finances were too low to admit of
such proceeding at present
Addresses from Director Cam and
other members were made, asking for
aid, and the incident closed with a vote
of thanks for the rendition of the num-
bers given.
WANTED MONEY
Judge Phillips addressed the council
on behalf of eX-Assistant Building In
spector Rommel, who demanded the