The herald., 1898-01-18

rests with the city council, and 1t is
hoped that within the near future one
of the handsomest driveways in Califor-
MIA shall be added to the attractions of
Pasadena and this city.
while am on the subject of public
improvements, desire to call your at
tention to the successful agitation waged
by this association in favor of the re-
paving of Spring and Main streets, to
the acquisition of additional hydrants
that will furnish adequate protection
in case of fire in the busi-
ness portion of this city, and,
last but not least, to the passing of an
anti-hitching ordinance that has caused
some adverse criticism in certain quar-
ters.
While I believe 1t to be needless to
apologize for the action taken by this
association, asking for the enactment
and enforcement of an ordinance that
will give to this city cleaner streets and
adding to 1t a metropolitan appearance,
yet believe 1t to be my duty to explain
that at no time did this association fos-
ter or encourage a law that would injure
the interests of the mercantile COM
munity or create a hardship on the pub
lic Unfortunately, it was found neces-
sary to amend the ordinance limiting the
period of hitching to 20 minutes, and it
rests with the police department to car
ry out the intentions Of our legislative
branch of the city government.
"The association has also kept a
watchful eye on matters Of public health
and conducted a successful agitation in
favor of pure food and pure milk Eav-
ing thus shown that this association is
not unmindful of it's duties and RESPONSE
bilities as a public institution, desire
to submit to you, briefly, few facts
for the betterment of trade conditions:
"A profitable field Of operation awaits
our merchants and manufacturers in our
neighboring sister republics, and, realiz-
ing the great advantage of stronger
trade relations, strenuous efforts have
been made for the establishment Of
permanent steamship line. From a
geographical and commercial stand
point, the trade of Mexico belongs to Los
Angeles. but inadequate transportation
facilities have retarded our progress in
that direction, and I believe that the
time is ripe when this question should
be given the undivided attention of this
association.
Realizing that practices were in
vogue that were believed to be detri-
mental to the best interests Of the mer-
chants and that gave this city the ap-
pearance of laboring under false busi-
ness conditions, this association passed
set of resolutions and rules condemn
ing those practices and pointing out
divers ways by which these evils could
be remedied
within the last month an eastern
concern has attempted to invade our ter
ritory with so-called trading stamp
scheme, and being fully convinced of the
evil effects of such scheme, both to the
merchants and to the public, the propo-
sition was denounced by this association
in unmeasured terms, and circulars were
mailed to large number of merchants
warning them against being inveigled
into the scheme.
This association has given it's moral
and financial support to the successful
conduct of the Fiesta and the entertain
ment of the Conductors National union
and has memorialized congress for the
abrogation of the treaty between the
United States and the Hawaiian islands
for the free entry of sugar.
1T is to be regretted that sufficient
financial aid has not been given to the
Fiesta and that the committee of thirty
have not received that moral and finan-
cial support to which an undertaking
of so much Importance and so much ben
eft to this city is entitled from the public
and from those who derive the largest
Immediate returns from the celebration.
Il believe I may be permitted to COM
mend the earnest and early attention of
the association and incoming board of
directors to some matters that are of
vital Importance to the community, viz
"The sweeping of the streets by hand
the construction of the Salt Lake rail-
road, the discrimination Of freight rates
that has hampered the development of
trade in this clay and the necessity of
having all wires laid under ground. Il
believe that these subjects should be
discussed at once and such action taken
as will tend to realize the solution of
these questions.
'"The board of directors and the asso-
citation sustained in the month Of June
a serious loss by the death of our late
vice president, Jacob G. Chamberlain,
who, during his lifetime, had taken
strong interest in the welfare of this
body.
within the limits of this necessarily
brief review of the years transactions OF
this association it is impossible to recall
the various actions taken by the board
Of directors, but believe that have
herein sufficiently enumerated to i'm
press upon you the, fact that we have
conducted our stewardship to the best
Of our ability and to the best interests of
this community. Much will be done by
our successors in office to bring this
association to a higher standard of use
fulness; and, after again expressing my
appreciation of the support received
from the board of directors and many of
the members, herewith submit my an
nual report.
Respectfully yours (signed),
III. w. FRANK, President
SECRETARY'S REPORT
The reading of the presidents report
was followed by that of the secretary, as
follows:
LOS ANGELES, Jan. II, 1S9S
'"ro the Members of the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association of Los
Angeles-Gentlemen: Having become