The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-02
PASADfNA'S WAFER
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP URGED
UPON THE COUNCIL
ARTHUR WAS ON HAND
although His Busy Day Is Monday.
Twixt Two Stools-Oil Not
Favored

PASADENA, Aug. 1.-(Office Of The
Herald, IS East Colorado street) At the
regular meeting of the city council this
afternoon there pere present President Pat
ten. Trustees Dobbins, Lockett and Rey-
nolds and City Attorney Arthur.
s. w. King OF the firm of Hawley, King
& Co. appeared before the board to recon-
mend the purchase of chemical fire en-
CINE. City Attorney Arthur stated that
the city could purchase such an engine If
1t desired. The purchase would necessi-
tate the building of an additional house
and the hiring of two additional men and
horses. Action will soon be taken.
The principal item of business at the
session was the hearing of the committee
OF citizens chosen at the mass meeting on
July 21st to lay the question Of municipal
ownership Of water before the council.
There were present of this committee
Messrs E. H. Lockwood J. s. Torrance, G.
A. Gibbs, c. d. Daggett, Webster Wotkyns
and w. S. Wright Mr.. Torrance, the
chairman, handed to the board the secre-
tary's statement, to the effect that the COM
mittee voiced the opinion of the majority
of the citizens in the belief that the city
should acquire and operate its own water
plant independent of the private corpora
tons now doing business. The present con-
dition of water facilities is unsatisfactory,
because:
First-The water system, being under
control of two corporations, Is operated in
an inadequate and unsatisfactory manner,
and an unnecessarily high price is charged
consumers.
Second-The two arrangements conflict
In policy, resulting in a waste Of money
and an unsatisfactory service.
Third-The rapid growth Of the city de-
mands an increase of supply, and the cor
porations, through lack of means, are I'M
able to furnish this.
Fourth-The large majority of citizens
believe in municipal ownership, because
the larger credit of the city renders addl-
tions facilities for increasing the supply
Fifth-Immediate action is imperative.
Sixth-The experience Of towns that have
tried the system shows the supply of wa
ter Increased, the cost lessened, and the
quality of water was better.
The committee rendered Its services to
the council and hoped that committee
might be appointed today to take further
steps.
Then followed some lively sparring be-
tween City Attorney Arthur and the com
mttee. The city attorney advised the
council not to pass resolution declaring
its policy to be In favor of municipal own
ership. He stated that he did not wish to
be understood that he was averse to the
system, but he was placed in a rather pc
culiar position. He was regarded some
what as attorney of one II tifs water COM
m nd hot ot fo oit he.
springing Of this question row forced him
to either say nothing or endeavor to ride
two horses at once, as 1t were. He thought
that before another meeting he would
either have severed his legal interests with
the city or with the water company, he did
not know which. He would advise meet
ing of the committee Of the whole before
the council passed a resolution.
Chairman Torrance thought that the
councils action in simply approving the
committees statement would not bind it
to the very act OF acquirng waterworks
Mr. Daggett took exception to Mr.. Ar
thurs accusation that the matter had been
Sprung on the council ut has been
talked of In the press and on the street for
nearly as long as the city has existed" Mr..
Daggett said. Here Mr.. Arthur interrupt
ed him to explain that he had meant the
matter had been sprung today for the first
time as strictly legal and business propo-
sition. There was a sharp tilt between
the two gentlemen, Mr.. Daggett resenting
being interrupted and threatening to call
upon the chair for protection.
Trustee Reynolds moved that the matter
be referred to the committee of the whole
to report. Trustee Lockett wished to so
further than this and to approve all that
the committee suggested, going even so far
as declaring that the council proposed ac-
curing municipal ownership. Reynolds
motion carried, however, Lockett not vot-
ing.
n' RI bMfnor Matters
wednesday at y >. m. was fixed as the
date for the councils meeting the commit
tee. Meantime the council will meet as
committee of the whole at o'clock Tuesday
evening.
The ordinance regulating the sanitary
condition of places where game and poultry
are killed was read for the first time.
An ordinance changing the time of meet
ing Of the council from Monday afternoons
at 2 o'clock to Tuesday mornings at o'clock
was read for the first time. This step is
being taken in order to accommodate the
. city attorney, whose busy day Is Monday.
Rev. A. M. Merwin petitioned the council
10 nave a duplicate warrant issued to taxa
the place Of the warrant which he had lost
and which was worth to him about $40. The
request was granted. The warrant refers
to the widening of Lake avenue and Mr..
Merwn was one of the property owners as
sessed for the work.
communication was received from l..