The herald., 1897-01-05
MAYOR SNYD[RS Inaugural MESSAGE

but I desire to say that it will be the
policy of my administration, so far as
it depends upon my individual action, to
see that no inequitable advantage shall
be given over the city by reason of this
contract, II / can prevent It,
I regard that provision in the con-
tract requiring that If the water COM
pany and city council cannot agree upon
the price to be paid for the improvements
made by the company then that the con-
troversy shall be decided by arbitration,
as extremely hazardous to the city. Such
a course resolves the determination in
to mere lottery or game of chance.
whereby the city may be fieeced of
hundreds of thousands of dollars, and
unless the contract shall be construed
by the courts to be valid, shall not be
willing to have the city take such haz-
ard. In the absence of this contract the
city is in position to construct and own
a complete system on improved plans
which would be vastly superior to that
now being operated. The present sys-
tenn Is of uncertain value. Much of
the piping is doubtless almost worthless
because of rust and decay from long use
and exposure; its machinery is worn
and out of date. These are substantial
reasons why the city should not deal
blindly In a matter of so great moment.
While have no disposition to deal un-
fairly with the water company, I shall
insist SO far as 1 have the power, that
any negotiation had between the water
company and the city shall not be to the
disadvantage of the city. And espe-
cially shall I insist that no inequitable
claim shall be allowed under the provis-
ion of a contract of doubtful validity. On
this point I renew the pledge made by
me to the people of this city through the
platform on which I was elected, and
G a In oil In, +r f1,at
within my term of office the city and
it's inhabitants shall be furnished at the
least possible cost with a bountiful sup
ply of pure water. I am unqualifiedly
and unreservedly In favor of the munic
ipal ownership of water system, to be
owned and operated and maintained by
the people, the rates to be fixed upon
basis of actual cost for distribution, ad-
ded thereto a sufficient sum to pay in
terest on the money invested and to
create q sinking fund to pay the same
when due.
1 earnestly urge you, as servants of the
people, to act fearlessly and at once in
this matter, which is of vital import to
the welfare of our city. 1 hope your
honorable body will make an earnest
examination of the available sources of
supply of pure mountain water, ascer-
tain the cost of the same and acquire
the same without delay. providing the
same be feasible and reasonable. The
contract with the water company, as
you know, will expire within the next
two years, and it is absolutely neces-
sary that action in this matter be taken
Immediately If we cannot come to a
satisfactory settlement with the water
company, we must have time in which
to build our own water system.
STREETS
attractiveness of city than good, we'll
departments should see to it that all
street improvements are according to
the specifications. The board of public
works cannot be too strict with con-
tractors who show an inclination to
slight their work. The paved streets
should be we'll swept.
Many of the streets of the newly an
nexed districts should be graded, and
hope that the petitions of property own
ers in the new territory asking for street
improvements will receive immediate
attention.
The condition of many OF the streets
should be ordered improved without de-
lay. so that every thoroughfare in the
city shall be clean and at all times in a
passable condition for bicyclists, pedes-
trians and citizens in carriages.
l most heartily favor the construc-
tion of a boulevard from the limits of the
city on the north to the limits of the
city on the south. Such a boulevard
would, in my opinion, lead to the build
ing of grand boulevard from Pasadena
to Santa Monica, and I would recon-
mend that the city at an early day CO.
operate with the county to that end.
SEWERS.
Our sewer system should be more ex-
tensive. Good sewerage is absolutely
necessary to good health. None but
competent men should be employed as
inspectors, and they should see to it that
all work is done strictly in accordance
with the regulations.
POLICE.
There is a great need of larger police
department. At the present time, ac-
cording to the last annual report of the
chief of police, the number of the force,
including the matron, is 49, The detec-
tive squad and necessary details for
headquarter duties take 20 men, and 4
officers are detailed for corner duty thus
leaving SO men for regular patrol duty.
1t is impossible to protect the people
with so small force. Recently the cit,-
acquired new territory, which, owing %
the small force, is entirely without po-
lice protection. Some parts of the an
nexed districts are thickly settled: the
q
taxes this year, and they are justly en-
titled to police as well as fire protection.
Were it not that our people are naturally
law abiding, the high standard of peace
and order which the present small de-
partmert has sustained would not have
been possible.
Therefore, / consider the most serious
question in police matters is substan-
tial increase of the force. 1 would rec
ommend that action be taken at an early
date looking to an increase.
There is a growing need of branch
police stations. One of these should be
located in the southwestern part of The
city and another in the Vernon distric,
| The city should purchase the ground
necessary and erect suitable buildings
Another matter in connection with the
| police department that should receive
serious consideration Is the establish.
ing of police signal system All othe,
I progressive cities, some of smaller pop.
ulations than ours. have police sigma
| system of some kind, by means of which
| facilities are afforded for prompt com.
munication between officers at the cen.
trail station and the patrolmen. Keys tc
| the signal boxes could be given not onl,
to officers, but to trustworthy citizens
| who would thus be ena bled to call police
| assistance at any hour in the day o]
| night.
Our city is sadly deficient as regards
modern appliances for the police de.
| partment, and 1 earnestly recommend
| that these matters receive your serious
consideration at an early day.
| 1 would also call the attention Of YOU
honorable body to the great need of s