The herald., 1897-07-13
Evening Session

The council met at 2:15 o'clock, with
President pro tenn Nickel in the chair
when the following message from the
mayor was read:
1t is now more than six months since
we took charge Of the reins of the city
government, and as yet no definite re-
suits have attended the efforts looking
to the municipal ownership of water
works. Only a little more than year
hence the contract with the City Water
company will have expired, and it isthis
fact which makes it absolutely neces-
sary that decisive steps be taken at once.
Members of your honorable body have
offered resolutions in this matter, but
somehow the results have not been what
are desired by the people.
This water question must not be made
political question. Every property
owner in the city of Los Angeles, ex-
cepting possibly those property owners
holding stock in the water company, de-
mands that something be done; that he
be protected from further suffering
caused by corporation whose greed is
great and relentless. If mistake not,
each member of the council, and other
officials, too, was elected on a platform
cipal ownership of water works. The
people spoke at the ballot box in every
precinct; they put us where we are be-
cause they felt confident that we were
the right men to make their fight, and
we, as citizens and as charter officers,
cannot afford to stand still and see this
confidence abused.
The city engineer, I am informed, was
instructed by your honorable body some
time since to prepare an estimate as
to the actual value today of the plant
of the water company, and as yet he
as not made his report. 1t is these de-
lays that will eventually cause our eff
forts to amount to naught. If the city
engineer hasn't help enough to rush
through so important a piece of work,
I would suggest that you give him by
all means all the assistance he needs.
1t would be expending city funds where
much good would be done. 1t would be
an expenditure that would meet with
the hearty approval Of every good citi-
zen.
In my inaugural message called par
ticular attention to the water question.
l said that the sentiment seemed univer-
sal that the city should own and oper-
ate complete system of water works.
1 renewed the pledge made by me to
the people through the platform on
which was elected, saying that should
do all in my power to see to it that with
in my time of office the city and it's in
habitants were furnished at the least
possible cost with a bountiful supply of
pure water. I earnestly urged you, as
ot fa ri sci
and at once in this matter, which is of
vital Importance to the welfare of our
city.
The time in which to redeem our
pledges to the people is short, and de-
lays are fatal to success. Let US join
hands in this battle and victory will
be ours.
On motion of Councilman Toll the mes
sage was referred to the committee on
water supply.
Councilman Hutchison protested, say
ing that for three months the council
had been quiescent, and he did not think
that matter of reference was what
was needed. He did not think that the
mayor had taken haste, and had not
told the councilmen anything they did
not know. Mr.. Hutchinson did not think
that the people would ever vote bonds
for the purchase of the old plant. He
thought that the council should go to
work at once.
Councilman Grider did not think the
council could do anything until they had
the estimates of the city engineer, which
would take until July 25th. Mr.. Dock
weller had said that the estimates could
be made in two weeks, and it had now
been two months, and there was no
report.
Councilman Nickel did not think that
these people should be blamed, as they
were doing all in their power.
Councilman Hutchison again spoke,
urging that immediate action was neces-
sary. He thought that the council could
carry half dozen plans in their heads
at one time, and if they intended to do
anything they should get to work.
Councilman Ashman thought that it
was all very nice to make gallery plays.
but he thought the city engineer should
be sent for.
The city engineer was not in, and the
matter was dropped without further
talk.
The matter of the paving of the Main.
StlCct iHtciScStiou was postponed Tor
two weeks
On the report of the board of public
works, the contract for the paving Of
Fifth street from San Pedro to Central
avenue with asphalt was awarded TO
w. B. Nicholl, as the lowest bidder.
CITY ATTORNEYS REPORT.
The city attorney presented the fol-
lowing report:
For several years there have been
pending in the United States courts
and the state courts cases in
volving the title of the Crystal
Springs Land and Water company and
the City Water company to certain wa
ters known as the Crystal springs. This
litigation has been so far hung mainly
on question of Jurisdiction, the city
contendipg that the issues should be
determined by the state courts and the
water company that the United States
courts has jurisdiction. am glad to be
able to report to your honorable body
that the honorable United States circuit
court, Judge Wellborn presiding, has
during the past week disposed of this
question of jurisdiction in favor of the
city. Filed.
In accordance with your instructions.
have prepared and herewith present an
ordinance prohibiting the exhibition of