The herald., 1897-01-05


better patrol wagon service Two fast
hcrses should be attached to each way
on. so that calls could be responded TO
with all possible dispatch.
FIRE.
While our fire department is one of
the best in the west. we mu2t not lose
sight of the fact that this is city of
100000 population ard growing rapidly
There is more territory for the depart
ment to cover than last year. The re-
Gently annexed territory. comprising
some nine square miles. together with
valuable building improvements in
parts of the city heretofore requiring lit
tie protection, makes necessary the pur-
chasing of more fire-fighting apparatus.
Property in the outlying districts must
be protected, and in order to do this
there must be more apparatus. heart
lily endorse the recommendation of the
chief engineer in his last annual report
that the city procure three combination
engines and hose wagons for the out
lying district at as early a date as pos
sible.
The ownership of fire houses and
other property used by the fire depart
ment is a question which should receive
the early and the serious considera ton
of your honorable body During the year
just closed the city expended $6S6l in
rents. This amount is about per cent
interest on $172.25J At no time will it
be possible to obtain property for fire
house purposes at more advantageous
figures than now.
Our city has reached that point in its
growth where the question of the estab-
fishing of permanent fire force pre-
sents itself most seriously to us. The
expense of change from call to perma-
I,a Il hi aefNfa-
cally during the present year when new
apparatus Is badly needed. but l believe
that the benefit resulting from the
change will greatly exceed the addi-
tional expense.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
More commodious quarters should be
provided for our public library, but the
city is in no condition financially at this
time TO make large expenditures OF mon
ey for this purpose. / earnestly hope
that it vii! be possible to do something
in the near future. The library is large
ly patronized and compares favoraby
with the libraries in other cities of 100000
population.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
The city has been free of an epidemic
Of contagious disease for long time,
and this condition is due largely to the
is one of the most important branches
of the city government. The health Of
ficer and his deputies cannot be TOO
careful in the execution of their respons-
ible duties. They should see to it that
good sanitary conditions are preserved
and that persistent violators of the or
dinances be made to answer in the
courts, I trust that your honora bic
body will cooperate with the health de-
o;,,t, in N hest
sanitary regulations possible.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The schools of our city take first rank
with the schools of any other city II
the union, There are few public insti-
tutions in which the people take greater
interest than in public schools, and es'
pecially is this the case in our own city
The growth of our public school system
has been rapid and wonderful. The
handsome new school buildings erected
a short while ago are now crowded, anC
soon more accommodations will be re-
ouired. The wants of the school de
partment should be carefully looked in.
to, and where necessary liberal expen'
ditures for improvements should be
made.
PARKS
Our city should be famous the work
over for it's parks. Nowhere else are the
conditions so favorable. We have tht
rich soil, and abundance of water, anc
sunshine nearly every day. Each veal
our parks grow more beautiful and at.
tractive to the visitor. Already they are
spoken of in the eastern states; but as
yet they are in their infancy.
BY reason of Griffith j. Griffith's mu.
nificence, Los Angeles has the larges
acreage of land for park purposes of any
city in the world. The 5000 acres which
came to the city as a Christmas presen
from our we'll known citizen should bt
bealtified and made famous. The lane
offers many advantages for improve
ment Its Identification will necessi
tate a large expenditure of money, ant
the city is not at this time in a condi
ton to make the outlay, but it might b.
well when the park funds will permit t.
make improvements on the land.
would suggest that an election be calle.
at an early date to vote bonds for the
improvement of the public parks, es
pecially Elysian park I think tina
Elysian park should be made contin
uous park. Money spent in this way is
in my opinion, money well spent No
only is the attractiveness of our city t.
the visitor greatly increased, but employ
ment is given to the needy. and there il
no better time than now to help th
work.
THE OIL INDUSTRY
The developing of oil bearing lands il
the western and northwestern part o
the city continues on an active and ex
tensive basis. This is one of the leadin;
Industries of the city, and all Legislation
bearing on it should be liberal.
In conclusion,I urge upon your honora
BILE body to instruct the various commit
tees to see to 1t that the heads of depart
ments keep their expenditures withil
the limit of their allowance.
/ sincerely hope that at all times on
relations while considering and dispos
ing of questions involving the welfar
of our municipality shall be most pleas
ane. NJ. p. SNYDER, Mayor.
Los Angeles, Cal. Jan. 4, 1897.
MAYOR RAIDERS VALEDICTORY
The Outgoing Mayors Message to tn
Outgoing Council