Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-06
County Board of Supervisors Hear Extensive
Arguments Regarding Question of the
Incorporation OF Wilmington

about the Southern Pacific, the Salt
Lake road and other interpretations
owning the water front. Why, | can
remember when people wouldn't have
the water front. The corporations have
made that end of the country. The
people of Wilmington are too poor to
carry this thing to a higher court. II
there Is any doubt in the matter give
us the benefit of 1t.
"I represent the people and ask you
to place us in a position to fight back
the encroachments of San Pedro and
Long Beach on our territory. 1t will
still be a Los Angeles county har-
bor."
"I appear for the Bannings," said
Attorney James Gibson. THE Ban
nings are naturally deeply interested
in this project, as they own much prop
erty in Wilmington and they want their
Incorporation within an incorporated
municipality" Attorney Gibson then
closed the argument for the incorpora-
tion by advising the supervisors that
there were other views on the subject
than those entertained by the district
attorney and that what was wanted
was comprehensive view of the entire
situation and no decision based on
technicalities.
Recalls Old Free Harbor Slogan
At the afternoon session, Attorney
Harris, representing the Free Harbor
commission of the Los Angeles cham
ber of commerce, argued for denial
of the petition to incorporate Whining
ton.
I'VE have little to say regarding this
measure said the attorney. AT the
last meeting we decided to leave the
settlement to the district attorney and
he had advised against granting a
petition for Incorporation. This opin-
ion is now opposed by corporation at
torneyS who state that it is not well
founded.
I'm my opinion the report is exhaus-
tive and the supreme court sustains
the stand taken by the district at
torney Senator Savage has seen fit to
dwell upon the fact that the corpora
tions have gobbled up all the harbor
front with the exception of a few front
feet. That statement should cause you
to think deeply before you take any
action
"a free harbor was the slogan of the
people in their fight waged against
outsiders several years ago when Santa
Monica attempted to encroach on the
Wilmington water front.
"It is a serious thing to leave the
granting all ITdnCnlSeS ltllS great
harbor front for which millions have
been expended, to the judgment of a
few men.
Says Government VIII Not Help
1--WE are making no effort to do the
Big Three a wrong. Everyone should
have chance but it seems significant
that whereas formerly the same cor
porations were saying worse things
about each other than 1 could think Of,
now they are cuddled up nicely in the
same cradle, all sleeping together.
IT have yet to find the instance in the
history of the board of supervisors of
Los Angeles county where the supervis-
ors have disregarded the opinion of the
district attorney in an important mat
ter where point of law was con-
cerned.''
II am as much in favor of free har-
Dor as anybody" said Chairman Pat
terson, but We have never been able
to maintain it. I have long thought
that the 10 feet of water front should
be used for the purpose of building a
county wharf"
I'VE are asking the government oe
the United States" continued Attorney
Harris, Ito continue to expend money
on that harbor and do you think for a
minute that the government will do any
such thing when such an act would
benefit only three incorpora tions?"