Los Angeles herald., 1905-11-26


in a general way extending from the
mountains to the sea-"
All Los Angeles is talking Of this
proposition, In measure, the city Is
feeling its way I'm the dark. No pre-
cedent exists, covering the same con-
ditions as are evident here. Each step
must be taken carefully, and without
guidance. In n way, the New York
consolidation is nearest the problem
presented here; but In many respects
Il is vastly different. London, which
some years ago drew together into a
county, still maintains separate muni-
cipallties. San Francisco and st. Louis
are simply cities outside of counties,
since the limits Of city and county au-
thority are co-extensive. Hence, Los
Angeles, so far ahead of other munich
palities In so many other respects,
must again point the way, and pro-
ceed on its own responsibility, alone.
Already preliminary steps have been
taken TO this end. A committee has
been named by the leading commercial
organizations here to take UP the
question and see what Is needful to
be done This committee met Friday
and decided TO keep its action secret
for the present.
Have No Precedent
But one member of that committee,
Oscar G. Mueller, has been for years
studying this question, and he has also
recognized the desire of Los Angeles
people to have some light on It, The
Herald asked Mr. Mueller for an in
terview on the subject last week.
"Only in measure can I comply"
said he. IT am one of the committee
and we have agreed not to give out our
conclusions till we make a formal re-
port. But 1 can and will tell YOU n
few of my own personal conclusions.
You must not, however, presume to
consider them In any way as voicing
the sentiments or the opinions of the
other committeeman nor as antici-
pating them at all; that do not pre-
sumo to do. I am speaking for my
self. and not for anyone else"
What precedent have we Mr.. Muel-
ler," was asked for this step?"
None. That is, there is no case
similar in all respects. / think New
York's consolidation comes nearest to
what we want, but it is entirely differ
ent in many ways. For instance. 900
towns and cities were united there
We have nothing like so many to han
die here. San Francisco is merely the
union of city and county governments
over the same amount of territory. We
have, therefore, no genuine precedent.
and 1t is only by feeling out our way
can arrive at what is best.
Present System Absurd
Hence, we seek the fullest possible
discussion. Every suggestion helps us
There has been almost nothing in the
way or suggestion so far, which is
surprising. There should be plenty Of
1t. This is the most important thing
that could happen to Los Angeles and
everyone should take the greatest in
terest in It, ~
1t is gratifying, therefore. to thos sa
who believe that a consolidation of CITY
and county government is some form
would be beneficial to have the general
plan indorsed by the various civic or.
ganizations and the united press Of
Los Angeles"
You consider our present govern
ment archaic, them"
"A separate city and county govern
ment is, of course. absurd. No good
reason can be advanced why there
should be two assessors, two tax COL
lectors, two treasurers, etc. These Of
fees should be consolidated
Compare for a moment the tax rate
of San Francisco with that of Los An
geles. A merchant of the northern
metropolis will this year pay COM
bined state, county and city tax rate
of S1.65, while his Los Angeles COM
petitor finds his rate will be $3.50. Last
year it was even higher. And this, not
withstanding the fact that it is con-
ceded that San Francisco easily carries
off the palm as the home of graft, while
the city Of Los Angeles is free from
official scandals"
No Graft in Los Angeles
as it?"
Yes. it is. l believe the officials Of
the city and the county of Los Angeles
are as clean set of men as will be
found In any city of the United States.
The reason for this low tax rate in
San Francisco is undoubtedly due to
the fact that San Francisco has less
expensive form of goVernment-that Is
to say, combined city and county
government.
''By the consolidation act of 1856 a
portion of the old county of San Fran
cisco was cut off and became a part
of another county. The portion re-
manning III the county of San Francisco
was thereafter known as the city and
county Of San Francisco. A leglslatiV ?
body of twelve members replaced the
old county board of supervisors and
the council of the city. An enormous
this change
Now I am not complaining of the
expenses of either the city or county
government. 1t is the system and not
the officials who are to blame for the
high tax rate
Talks of Water Project
"How about the Owens river water?
What bearing has it?'
THE Owens river water will supply
a vast territory. While the city of
Los Angeles might sell the water to
towns Immediately adjacent 1t would
be more beneficial TO those towns to
become part of the city and county
of Los Angeles. If the towns were out
side of the city the sale could be dis
continued at any time, whereas If they
were a part of the city they would al
ways receive their share Of the wa
ter"
"rhen as to territory to be taken
in?"
This will be a difficult problem to
solve. 1t will be necessary to ascer-
tain the sentiment of the people in the
towns from the mountains to the
sea.
"There has been a suggestion that