The herald., 1898-11-27

These are the words which form tn
great plank of the platform on which Mer
edith p. Snyder, the Democratic nominee
Is making the mayoralty race.
The people, on December 5th, WILL b.
means of that privilege accorded ever!
American citizen, say whether they appre
ciatc the noble work that has been don'
for them by one Of their fellow townspeo
pie.
Mayor Snydcr's record on the water ques
tion is known to every property owner ant
citizen, not alone in the city of Los An
gcles but throughout Southern California
Ii there ever was "A man that stood true
to his convictions and promises to the
people that man is Mayor Snyder. In the
face of battery of denouncers and criers
of gallery play" ETC., he has done his
duty with tho fire, courage and manhood
of Rough Rider.
Several years ago, when member Of the
city council, NJ. P. Snyder made the hot
test fight in the history of the legislative
branch of the city for reduction of water
rates. 1t was he who succeeded in mate
rally reducing the then exorbitant rates.
The people showed their appreciation Of
his labors by electing him mayor in the
face of very strong opposition.
Mayor Snyder's record on the water ques-
tion the last two years. while he has been
chief executive, is an open book. Readers
of The Herald will remember the attacks
on him when. six months after taking Of
fee he sent TO the council Il message of
inquiry why that body had failed. up to
fa.t time. to accomplish anything looking
to municipal ownership of water works.
For doing this he was accused of making
'gallery plays" and his sincerity ques-
tioned
Ia this message he spoke to the point
There was no mincing OF words. He called
attention TO the fact that the time in which
fF -Arlr x,-p .1t. hD
He declared that the water question must
not be made political one. He said that
every member of the council had been
elected TO office on a platform which de-
clared unreservejiy for municipal owner
ship of water works. But still the council
did practically nothing, ard things went
along in the Same old way
Oh the th.r! day of January OF the pres
ent year MAYOR Snyder, in his annual mes
sage TO the council. discussed the water
question ct length. What he said has been
nisquotcd by his enemies, and they are
today trying to msead the people by
wrongfu!ly stating the mayors position.
For the benefit OF the reader, that portion
of Mayor Snyder's message in reference to
the water question is herewith given in
full, as it appears ON the records of the
city:
Il deeply regret being compelled to say
that after the expiration of half OF the
term of the present administration but lit
tie has been accomplished looking to mu-
nicipal ownership of water works. l shall
not indulge in consciousness for nothing
would be gained to the city by my doing
So The facts are before US. What is to
he said? The contract between the city
of Los Angeles and the City Water COM
pany will expire in July of the present
year. Only seven months time remains in
which to act. During the last few weeks
steps have been taken by your honorable
body which should be productive of some
good and which, in my opinion, should If
continued lead to an carly solution of the
water problem, providing the water COM
pany shows a disposition to deal fairly.
But if the water company should not,
what then? do not want to be understood
as advocating the position taken by some
few citizens that the water company has
absolutely no rights in the con troversy; on
the contrary, l contend that the water
company, under the contract has certain
moral if not legal rights that must be re-
spected. And l also contend that the city
has certain rights which must and which
shall be respected by the water company.
There is one thing certain-look back over
the year: If the city does not assume IN
aggressive policy the water controversy
VIII continue indefinitely. In the event that
the city should, after having done every |
thing in its power, fail to bring about a |
settlement, there is one course to pursue |
that cannot be evaded by the water COM
pany. That course is: At the expiration
OF the thirty year contract the city, If its
interests are to be protected, should take
possession of the entire plant of the water
company-reservoirs. pipes, in short, ev-
erything that goes to form the system. No
one should for a moment question the
city's right to this course. There is not
word in the contract which says that the
plant is not to come into the poss session of
the city at the expiration of the thirty
year contract; but the contract does
say that the water company will make all
improvements as mentioned and set forth
in the contract and keep the same in re-
pair at its own cost and expense for the
period of thirty years and return the said
water works to the said party of the first
part at the expiration of the said period
of thirty years in good order and condition,
reasonable wear and damage by the ele-
ments excepted. The city of Los Angeles
not being insolvent the water company
could in due time recover all It is entitled
70 Tor improvements under the contract |
consider the water company as acting
simply in the capacity of trustee, and that
acting as such the said company has alb
solutely nothing to say about operating
fhe plant after the expiration of the con-
tract BY the terms of the contract the
company has is a claim on the city for
the real value Of the improvements made
to the plant during the life of the con-
tract. There is no doubt that nearly thirty
years ago when the mayor and common
council Of the city of Los Angeles entered
into contract with the water company
1t was never intended (and if it had been
so intended it would have been expressly
provided in the oontracD that the water
should at the expiration of the
contract have any rights in the premises
except TO the real value of the improve
ments. 1t should be remembered that
every day the water company retains pos
session of the plant after the expiration
OF the contract the revenues 90 TO the
water company instead of to the city. The
net earnings amount to a large sum
and it should be seen to that
this money goes into the city treasury.
not into the hands of the water companv.
trust that it will not be necessary to re-
sort to harsh measures to bring about n
settlement. securing to the city its lust
rights. There is no occasion for any un-
providing all parties con-
cerned are disposed to act fairly If we
viii show the water company that we mean
business. the next step will be easy. We
must take hold of the situation with Il
firm hand. Either the city or the water
Is to rule. We cannot afford n
1all down on our knees and play second
fiddle to Il corporation which has made
millions of dollars out of a privilege grant
ed by the city nearly thirty years ago
Jf the city doesn't demand its rights. the
rock OF ages will crumble away before we