The record-union., 1899-10-08
San Francisco Representatives of
the State Association
Meet With and Present Their Views to the
Citizens Of Los Angeles.
The Question as to Whether State
Control Of Water Distribution
Would Not Be Profitable, judi
cious and Wise Subject Tor
Consideration by the People.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. THE San
Francisco representatives of the Call
fornia State Association for the Stof-
age of Flood Waters arrived IN Los
Angeles this afternoon. The names OF
the visitors are William Thomas, w.
H. Mills, General j. M. CleaNes, +. ).
Symmes, Hugh Craig, j. A. F1lcher, L.
c. Friedlander and f. w. Dohrmann.
After luncheon the delegation was
taken to the Chamber Of Commerce,
where they were to tell the object OF
their visit, and to listen to any sug-
gestions from citizens of Los Angeles
present.
William Thomas presented the case
for the San Franciscans. In part Mr..
Thomas said:
Our idea is to have this State take
up the work for itself, supplementing
any work done by the Government.
This is a work that 1 am afraid the
Government will never be able to carry
to completion, because of the opposi-
tion of the Eastern population who do
not understand the needs of the great
West.
1.-The entire matter is a business
proposition, and is resolved into moth
ing more than ownership of water by
the State. Not one cent of money shall
be spent until we know what the
whole thing will cost, and to this end
a survey is proposed to secure the
necessary data
The speaker asked for the co-opera-
tion of Los Angeles in the convention
to be held November 14th at San Fran
cisco, adding that a strong delegation
FROM +I,ic oit itxr would ai6 much the
work in hand
Mr. Thomas called attention to the
income which would accrue to the
State from the sale of water power,
as well as from the increased taxable
value of the property benefited.
]. A. Filcher, Secretary of the asso
citation, read a printed address to the
citizens of California, declaring the
need for the conservation of the flood
waters of the State, and calling a con-
vention to meet in San Francisco on
November 14th to devise ways and
means to this end.
w. H. Mills said briefly: 'This is an
age when public ownership of public
utilities should prevail, and the ques-
ton presents itself whether State con-
troll of water distribution will not be
pIO1lldDi6s anu Wise. DlS
movement will not in the slightest de-
gree interfere with any common law
or vested rights
F. II. Dohrmann declared that no
schemes were involved in this move
ment but that it is simply taken up by
men who are interested in the pros
perity of the commonwealth.
General j. NJ. Gleaves, United States
Surveyor General of California, dis
cussed the preservation of the forests
in connection with water conservation,
and declared that a solution of the wa
ter problem is desired by every citizen
of the State. The speaker said that the
Department of the Interior and the De-
partment of Agriculture are heartily in
terested in the storage of water, and
the salvation Of the forests Of the coun-
try.
1t was moved and carried that the
representatives present from the Los
Angeles organizations be authorized To
select delegates to the San Francisco
convention, after which action the
meeting was adjourned.