Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-27
TWo cALIroRNIA coNNuNIrIrs

Suppose examine its merits the plea that Los
Angeles is committing act Of injustice by the in
vasion Of Inyo county for water supply.
Start with the basic assumption that in California
all the people have equal rights to life, liberty and
the pursuit Of happiness" The people Of owens valley
in Inyo county entitled to all the rights and priv
eges citizens Of the state that enjoyed by the
people of Los Angeles
There are 900 people in the city Of Los Angeles.
The number Of inhabitants of Owens valley
accurately but estimate enough for the present
purpose readily be made The entire vote of Inyo
county in the last presidential election 6S3 The
usual allowance Of five persons for every voter would
give total population of 3415 The only town village
in owens valley has population Of $50 and probably
would be very liberal estimate to call the entire
ulaton of the valley 1900.
AS the town of Bishop with its $50 inhabitants, lies
above the intake Of the Los Angeles water plan, only
$50 people in the valley approximately be affected
by the project in any way. For good measure call the
number a round 1000 Nearly all the lands on which
those people live now, practically, the property OF
the city of Los Angeles. Only the formay of taking
UP the options acquired by the cys representatives is
necessary to complete the purchase. Therefore very
large majority Of the 1000 valley people aforesaid
now, substantially, tenants of this municipality.
Who, then, have reason for Kicking" because Los
Angeles has purchased a great watershed in Owens
valley? Not the inhabitants of Bishop of any part
of the valley above that village for the before
stated Not the larger part of people below the Los
Angeles water intake because they sold their property
to the city at prices that they mighty glad to get
St this question to the bottom and it is found that
only few people have any cause whatever for
plant about the Los Angeles water proposition. Even
that onefourh of the population of nyo county
grievance only ITO Of the countys $50 voters
would be affected.
Now glance at the other side of the question. Here
in Los Angeles is population that, before the water
project be available for service will reach 100000
and possibly 100000 That is the assumption that
will take five six years to complete the greater
water plant This city cannot expand without such water
provision Owens valley affords. 1t is open ques
on in fact whether the present water supply could
continue many years because Of the great drain
the subterranean water
The representatives of Los Angeles have assured
the few people of Owens valley who may be said to
have grievance that Los Angeles will make ample
provision for all their water needs II they wish to sell
their holdings a ready market awaits them. And they
know that the thus given is good the
most glittering giltedged bond.
how ridiculous appears the knocking" of handful Of
designing in Los Angeles, led by the local yellow
newspaper and its tool, known the councilmanic
misft of the Sixth ward.
And how contemptble the far-away knocking Of
envious northerners who made somach-sick by
temptation, from their viewpoint in the rut, Of the
mighty progress of Los Angeles!