The herald., 1897-04-27

|
donate the land in question for park pur-
poses
The matter of hearing protests against
the opening Of an alley from Sixth and
Seventh streets between Main and
Spring streets, came up. but was again
referred to the city attorney on legal
question as to authority for one OF the
signatures to the protest
A communication was read from the
street superintendent, asking authority
to purchase 1000 yards of gravel at Main
| and Thirtieth streets. Referred to the
supply committee.
The application of the Sunset Tele-
phone company for permission to string
a dozen or more overhead wires in the
conduit district was granted.
| F. r. Harbert, G. A. Cutler and A. A.
Bayley were appointed commissioners
for the opening and extension of Griffith
| streets, from its present southerly termi-
nus to Twenty-fourth street
WATER COMMITTEE REPORT
| The water committee presented the
| following report, which was read and
| filed without debate:
Your water supply committee, to
whom has been delegated GER
| tain authority in the matter or
| conducting an investigation look
| ing to the procurement of and pre-
sentation to your honorable body of
| such data and specific information as
| will enable you, as representatives of
| the people of this municipality, to de-
eide upon the best plan to pursue in
acquiring a system of water works, to
| be owned and controlled by the city,
l. fn11
Your committee have received in
structions from your honorable body
to follow to a conclusion two separate
lines of investigation, viz: First, the
procurement from the city engineer of
the estimated cost of an entirely new
system; and. second, the procurement
from the water company of an express
ion as to their desire to dispose of their
plant to the city in the event the city
should deem it advisable to purchase
the same.
In assuming the trust imposed by the
commissions above outlined, your COM
mittee have fully understood that their
province under the limitations of their
present authority was simply to Sc
cure such information as could be gath
cred along these dual lines and submit
recommendation or suggestion from this
committee. Ut was assumed on the part
of the committee that in the settlement
of question of such vital Importance
as the one in controversy, intelligent
action could only be had in the pres
ence of the most complete detailed in
formation, procured from every avail
able source. Knowing the independent
tod Inv
your honorable body and appreciatiAg
the degree of business sagacity and ma
tive keenness by which you will be
guided in detecting the spurious infor-
nation which may be designed to mis-
lead you, this committee will feel no
hesitancy in placing before you at the
earliest possible moment all the data
procured by them, from whatever
source.
The first commission entrusted to the
committee has been discharged by the
filing by the city engineer of his very
full and able report as to the estimated
cost of a new system.
In entering upon the discharge of the
second commission we conceived it to
be our duty to act simply as your agents
in procuring from the Los Angeles City
schedule of the various properties, real
and personal, which constitute their
plant, together with list of the prices
they attach to each, as well as the low
est round figure at which they are will
ing to part with the entire plant. In
the conference ALREADY had your COM
mittee have plainly stated to the water
company that only a schedule contain
l.. ,f.,,, ,+1a Iot- lie tt-if hn a
able, together with maps and plans
showing exact sizes, locations and du-
ration of service of their reservoirs, con-
duits, pipes, etc.
1t was the conclusion of the commit
tee that in no other way could your
honorable body arrive at a correct
knowledge of the water company's plant
in all it's details. and we would now
deem it reflection upon the fearless.
fair minded position you essay to oc-
cupy and the business acumen by which
your actions will be guided to intimate
that all ex parte information should
be avoided.
Having pursued an ordinary business
course and procured from the water
company all details as to quality, ex-
tent, location, duration of service and
price OI lHt VI liltli
plant it will become the duty of the
council to apply such tests and lines Of
investigation as will fully verify the
information furnished by the company.
Whatever may be the variance of
opinion as to the best course to pur-
sue after we are fairly in the presence
of the estimated cost of a new plant
and careful, conservative valuation
of the existing plant, placed upon same
by the representatives of the city, it
appears inexplicable that any question
should arise at this time as to the ne
ecssity not to say good policy, of treat
| ing with the water company in an
| open, fair-minded manner up to point
where unreasonableness on their part
would demand a cessation of all ne
gotiations.
| The water company have evinced
willingness to supply all the informa-
ton desired and they arc now preparing
| the schedule asked for by the commit
| tee. This will be obtained at the earliest
possible moment, whereupon it will be
presented to your honorable body for
such action as you may deem proper.
| Upon the delivery of this data your
| committee will consider discharged all