The San Francisco call., 1898-01-30
THE CITIZENS ASSEMBLE IN
 CONVENTION Denounce the Serv- ants Who Have Be- trayed Them. Score the Syndicate Press Which Has Sold Out Their Interests. Return Thanks for Help Ex-
 
Return Thanks for Help Ex- tended to a City in
 Dire Need.
BUY THE WATER PLANT.
Permanent Organization Effected to Work for the DeHverance of the
 Southern Metropolis.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29.-The people of Los Angeles, without regard to poli- tics, assembled tonight in mass-con- vention to express their views upon the water question, and they did so in un- mtstakable terms. Not only did they. by unanimous vote, record their sen timents upon the manner in which the City Council had proceeded in regard to the matter, but they also gave ex- pression to their feelings as regards the syndicated local press-the Times, Ex- press and Herald-which three daily newspapers have steadfastly taken up the defense of the water company in the contest which is now on with utter disregard of the rights of the people. And as soon as the muzzled and man. acled local press was mentioned by a speaker this evening the audience broke forth in one loud acclaim and the cheers and the applause were long con- tinued.
 The citizens who had assembled real ized the truth of the assertion that they could neither expect nor hope for aid in the water fight from the local press Therefore, when they heard the truth from public platform, they were not slow in approving of its re- lation.
 The smeeting which was held to- night was one of the most successful non- partisan gatherings that have ever been convened in this city to discuss great public question. It is one phase of the battle The Call is mak- ing to assist In obtaining for the peo- pie of Los Angeles their full rights in the matter of er-distributing plant, without permitting her citizens to be robbed of two million dollars in the interest of the f1fty-two stockhold- CTS of the water company.
 To this end the mass meeting was deemed advisable. It was felt that there was nothing to be done by taking fruitless straw votes. The Call, acting for the people of Los Angeles, and in order that the citizens might be en- abled to express themselves upon the great question, in order that a perma- nent organization might be formed to conduct an organized battle fer the peoples rights, lent it's voice to them in calling mass convention when the local press was paid for silence.
 All that was hoped to accomplish and more has been brought about as a re- suit of the people congregating tonight at Music Hall. The permanent organ ization to conduct the water fight in their interest has been secured, con- sisting of one member from each of the nine wards of the city
 The people have also taken a very decided stand which, If anything on earth will move it, will have a tendency to cause the Council to take action along the line of preparing to buy the water company's plant at the expira- tion of the contract. As yet the Council has done nothing in this mat ter.
 The meeting also decided that 1t was against public policy to permit the water company to make unnecessary improvements to it's plant now which are non-essential and which are made solely for the purpose of endeavoring to compel the Council to make a re- valuation of the company's improve ments to the city's plant at the expira- tion of the contract.
 Mayor Snyder, Councilmen Grider and Hutchison and The Call and the Record. although not specifically men tioned, were all thanked for the ser vice they have rendered the people in this matter.
 The vast throng that gathered at Music Hall this evening was a most intelligent audience. It was made up of all classes and included some of the first citizens of Los Angeles. As proof of the assertion that all deemed the subject that was to be discussed one of vital importance it is only necessary to relate that many citizens brought their wives with them. The enthusi- asm, while it was kept within orderly bounds, was certainly deep, and the men realized that they were brought together for a business purpose This purpose they accomplished. As presid- ing officer ex-Mayor Henry T. Hazard was warmly received. Mir. Hazards two terms as Mayor have convinced