The San Francisco call., 1898-02-25
PUBLIC KEPT
 IN THE DARK Double Dealing of the Los Angeles Syndicate
 Press.
It's Juqglery With the Water Question Finally Arouses
 the People.
The Calls Expose of the Rascality Matching Upsets It's Evil
 Designs.
Special Dispatch to The Cail.

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24.-The inn pression seems to exist with the syn dicated water company dailies of this city that the people have no right to be kept fully informed as to every devel- opment and procedure that is taken in the matter of restoring the water plant to the city and the resumption of mu- nicipal operation. This is the policy pursued by certain officials in the City Hall. They strive to prevent any intel ligence as to the negotiations or their progress from reaching the people. The Times, Herald and Express make no effort to keep their readers posted save on such occasions as an apology or an excuse or an explanation is set forth on behalf of the water company. Many of the officials at the City Hall decline to give out information for the reason, as they state, that they do not desire the water company officials to learn of their plans.
 The truth of the matter is that no step has been or will be taken by the city in the matter of municipal owner ship and control of the water plant that the water company officers are not acquainted with before it is taken The people are not fooled all the time, and upon this point they are fully sat iSfied. Therefore, when they are told that they should be kept ignorant of what is being done with their interests they are displeased and they have manifested their displeasure in a most substantial way. They feel that this excuse is given in order that a job of some kind or character may be put up on them. It creates a suspicion in their minds that they are being treacherous ly dealt with. They feel that as it is their money that is to be used to buy the water cOmpany'S improvements they should be entitled to full light up- on the subject.
 But the Times, Herald and Express have totally failed in the discharge of their duty in this matter at the behest of the water company. The Call has occupied the field and has given the people the most complete and compre- hensive information on the all-import- ant water question, totally free from water company dictation-all of which has been very distaSteful to the water company press, but eminently satisfac- tory to the people of Los Angeles.
 AS an evidence of this prevailing idea among certain people that the citizens should know nothing as to the manner in which their interests are handled until a deal has been consummated this information is given:
 The WestSide Water Company has a small plant which supplies the citizens in the annexed district with water The corporation has made a proposi- tion to the city to sell Its plant and the matter is being considered by the water committee of the City Council. The people of the whole city know practically nothing about the West side Water Company or its property With a view of gaining that informa- tion, of ascertaining who the stock holders were, what they had for sale, what mileage of pipes, mains, etc, what water rights. what they expected to obtain for their property and all de- tails of general interest to the prospec- tive buyers, the citizens of Los Ange- les, representative of The Call re- quested the secretary to furnish a statement giving the desired light
 The gentleman said he would have to consult the directors and officers be- fore he could do anything. He held such a consultation and when a second time asked for the statement the secre- tary said that the officers and direc- tors had decided not to give any infor- nation at this time. The gentleman was told that inasmuch as the com pany had made a proffer to the city to dispose of it's plant the people were en- titled to know what had been offered them and what income it was produc- ing. The secretary simply stated that he would be compelled to abide by the instructions of the directors and of ficers. This is the spirit manifested by the corporations and many of the city officials in all of these water deals.