The herald., 1898-02-02
CONSIDER THE FACTS ALONE

Every citizen of Los Angeles is deep
ly interested in the pending water con-
troversy, and the great majority in the
community have no other desire than
to see justice done both sides. The con-
troversy has extended over such a long
period, so many different points have
been raised and so many claims set up
that it is hard to retain a clear idea as to
the facts and the exact situation.
1t Is argued among all the people look
ing at the matter from the city's point
of view that the water system belongs td
the city. and that all that remains to be
settled Is the amount to be paid the
water company for its Improvements.
The people are willing to buy and the
company is willing to sell, but the par
ties cannot agree upon figure.
So far all is clear Unfortunately the
people have been working at cross
purposes. A minority of the city coun-
Gil and the mayor have asserted that the
city has not proceeded in a proper man
ner; that it's interests have not been
protected as they should be. 1t has
even been declared that the city council
--or a majority of that body-have sold
out to the water company, and because
the leading daily newspapers of the city
have not Joined with the hot-heads in
their cries and demands they. too, are
accused of treachery and bad faith. The
public mind has been so befogged by
wild assertions and malicious mis-
representations that the people hardly
know what to believe.
Yet the facts are on record. The re-
port of the water supply committee,
printed In yesterdays Herald told the
whole story. The names, dates, facts
and figures We're all there. The report
was supplemented and substantiated by
letter from the city attorney and the
special counsel employed by the city.
The report gave detailed history of the
steps that have been taken by the city
for the requirement of the Los Angeles
City Water company's Improvements,
for the construction of a new system,
and in fact of all that has been done in
these directions since the committee was
organized little over year ago. The
report is sequential and cumulative, and
a careful rea ding of it will convince any
intelligent citizen that every needful.
proper and valid step to protect the in
terests Of the city has been taken up to
the present time.
This iS tha N-iayt- hel hH.t 6o nj Loo
advisors, who declare in 50 many words
that in their opinion "the council has
taken all the steps advisable from
legal standpoint in the matter of the
taking over by the city Of the water
works and plant now in the possession
of the City Water company under the
terms Of the existing contract and lease
between the company's predecessor and
the city.
What more can be done? The minor
ity in the council. the mayor and their
friends, after doing all they can to
arouse the suspicion ana fears of the
people against the policy that has been
- pursued by the city thus far. rend the
air with cries Of fraud" and urge that
"something be done" What shall be
done? What can be done? The hot
heads and shouters have not given the
people a single practical, feasible idea
Or plan.
On the other hand, there is grave dan
ger that the agitators, by their covert
threats and impossible demands, will
bring about a condition of affairs that
will rebound greatly to the water COM
pany's advantage. The corporation will
be quick TO seize upon every false step
made by the city. The policy of the
hot-heads, If carried out, might easily