Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-07
WILL BE PRESENTED TO IT BY
WATER COMMISSIONERS
IMMEDIATE ACTION is ASKED
councllmen Favorable-only Delay
May Be Caused by Desire to
Investigate a Little More
Fully

The water commissions gigantic
proposition to buy the Owens rivef
valley and bring the water across des-
erts and valleys and under mountains
by means of tremendous conduit 240
miles to Los Angeles will come before
the city council officially for the first
time this morning.
The water commissioners will pre-
sent resolution to the council setting
forth what they have done and will
ask the council to pass an ordinance
and resolution declaring the necessity
for increasing the citys water supply.
This resolution and ordinance Of ne
cessty must be adopted, according to
law. at least one week previous to the
adoption of the ordinance calling for a
special election for the issuance of
bonds for the purchase of water sys-
TENS.
Councilmen have been cautious about
expressing themselves with regard to
the plan, saying they are not as yet
familiar with the details and want
The water commissioners worked, of
necessity, in secrecy during the form
alton of the plan because they realized
that should their purpose have become
known the Owens valley would imme-
diately have been flooded with spec
ulators who would have used every eff
fort to secure options on all unbought
land, and thus the property in the val
ley would have risen to boom prices.
Welcome Investigation
The commissioners desire that the
councilmen probe as deeply as possible
and see for themselves what the thing
fear of publicity now and are using all
their efforts to bring the proposition
directly before the people, so that it
may be understood by all.
United States Engineer ]. B. Lippin-
colt has said that the Owens river is
the only available source from which
Los Angeles can secure a water supply
adequate to the demands of the city.
Mr.. Lippincott is one of the first au-
thorities in the United States on water,
and where and how to get it.
"If Lippincott says this is the only
place we can go for water" said a
councilman yesterday, "and he knows,
I, for one, am in favor of swapping UP
this chance as quickly as possible We
must have water. 1t Is absolutely ne
cessary to the continued prosperity of
the city,
The council may adopt the resolu-
tions and ordinance declaring the ne
cessity for increasing the water supply
of the city today, for the members all
agree 1t is necessary, and then investi-
gate the scheme proposed for the sup
plying of water during the coming
week and pass the ordinance calling
the bond election, If the scheme is con-
sidered good, next week, or whenever
they have satisfied themselves that 1t
is right and all that is claimed.
1t Is considered likely, however, the
question will be referred to the water
supply committee and action deferred
until that committee has had time to
investigate and report.
Councilman Ed. Kern said yesterday:
This proposition is so big, so far
reaching, that we must move carefully
and not take any snap judgment. Just
how far the water commission has gone
into the proposition do not know, but
I for one want to know about the titles
to the water which the city will get If
the valley is bought etc. We do not
want to buy law suits.
II do not doubt that this side of the
question has been met, but before we
call an electin we want to know. If
the proposition is all that is claimed
for it. 1t is the greatest opportunity
which has ever. come IN T,os Anseles -