Los Angeles herald., 1905-09-02
LASTING SUPPLY Is
NECESSARY TO
WELFARE
Hot Weather Menace
Says Expert
May Stop Sprinkling of
Street for a Time
William MuIhoIland Explains Grave
Situation In Which Los Angeles
May Be Placed by Long Con-
tinuance of Torrid Wave

"If Los Angeles runs out Of water
for one week the city within a year
will. not have a population of 100000
people,"
This is the statement made yesterday
by Superintendent Mulholland of the
water department. Il do not make
this assertion as applying to the owens
river proposition" he continued, "but
merely from our present standpoint. A
city quickly finds its level and that level
is it's water supply.
"Today the city's emergency supply
was neither enlarged or diminished.
The heavy consumption Of the past
week has reduced the water level in
the1 reservoirs, but with the smaller
demand of today we have been able to
add little to our store.
Saved by Cooler Weather
"This falling of the mercury in the
thermometer has saved our lives. If
the cool weather continues we are on
the safe side and water famine is not
imminent. However, we are not out OF
the woods by any means. Sometimes
our hottest weather comes during the
month of September. If we have sea-
son of excessively hot weather then
one or two cool days followed by
weeks heated period as is often the
case in this month we shall be under
the necessity of stopping all sprinkling
tand will save the water in every way
possible"
docs the curtailment of sprinkling
mean that the street service is to be
cut pff?" he was asked.
'eIr does,'' he replied. "It is easier to
put up with a nuisance than with
hardship. Dusty streets are not con-
ducive to the good temper of citizens
but this alternative is better than to
be under the necessity Of being unable
to furnish water to the residence hill
sections of the city.
'If we could only make the people
see the precarious condition in which
Los Angeles stands! If we could only
pound 1t into them! A person might
keep on talking and talking, however,
and unless he is graphing with the
question at first hand as I am the peo-
pie refuse to take cognizance of it,"
"Hsve I decided upon what the water
department will do in the event of the
proposed bond issue meeting with de-
feat next Thursday? No. I have not
permitted myself to think anything
about it, 1 do not dare to do so.
City Needs New Supply
"The defeat of the issue would be an
appalling failure on the part Of the
people to look forward to the future
welfare of the city.
eff Mr. Doheney is quoted correctly
in one of the afternoon papers when he
says if the Owens river proposition
carrys the wealth of the city will flee
from here to escape taxation he is but
putting up the same argument that
hundreds before him have presented,
There was never large municipal un-
dertaking bringing with it taxation
where at the same time this threat has
not been made.
zone thing is certain, If we do not
have another and more abundant
source of water supply within the next
few years wealth will flee without the
imposition of any taxation and it will
ifot be in bonds or diamonds. 1t will
be in Los Angeles real estate.
"Give the municipality a supply Of
water which will guarantee it's future
for a long term of years and wealth
will come to the city instead of avoid
ing it."