Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-23
PRESENT SYSTEM
ISINADEQUATE
FOR FUTURE
City's Growth Calls
for Action
No Other Source Offers
Relief
Mayor McAIeer Asserts II Is the Duty
Of Citizens to Support PROPOSE
tlon to Supply Increasing
Population

Attorney William Cox, who five years
ago organized the Pennsylvania Colo.
nial association, whose holdings in the
Owens river valley include the now
famous east side canals, has announced
the sale of an option by his company
to Los Angeles on its property in Inyo
county for $4,000, the option to be
operative until January 1, 1906, and the
sale price to be S150,000.
In speaking of the Owens river propo-
sition, Mr.. Cox said:
"I have been visiting the holdings of
our company in the Owens river valley
every sixty days for a period of more
than five years and am probably bet
ter posted upon the condition of the
water supply in that valley than any
man in Los Angeles.
"In the Inyo county canals there are
already more than $4,000 inches of
water The average flow in the river
at the upper canal of our company is
10000 inches, while in July, 1902, it in
creased over 100000 inches.
Capitalists VIII Buy
my opinion is that If the city of Los
Angeles does not take up the proposi-
tion which 1t now has under considera-
tion the Owens river water will be
brought to Los Angeles by outside capi-
tai, of which 1 can name large part.
In fact we have been considering tho
proposition for some time. Were this
done municipal ownership would cost
four times the amount now estimated.
1.-THE people of Owens river valley
have never valued their holdings al
their real worth. 1 heard of the present
proposition over a year ago, and hence
have investigated it thoroughly.
Had the facts of the intended pur-
chase of the supply not leaked out be-
fore the completion of the plans, it. is
my belief that the water from the river
would have been diverted sixty miles
further up stream, but the publication
of the facts forced the commission to
take the stand that the water was to
be diverted below many of the hold
ings of large irrigators to prevent them
from demanding enormous prices for
their properties.
Will Divert Trade
"Killing the local water supply in
Owens river valley means the ultimate
opening of the Tonopah, Goldfield and
Bulfrog trade to Southern California.
as Inyo county has been largely supply
ing this market
The question of voting bonds for
bringing Owens river to the city of Los
Angeles rests entirely with the citizens,
and the statements of prominent busi-
ness men of the city upon the subject
carry with them the weight of those
who have the interests of the city at
heart A representative of The Herald
interviewed several local business men
yesterday and their statements follow
Business Men Favor Project
w. c. Patterson, president of the Los
Angeles National bank: $50 far as 1
the subject, and 1 have
great faith in Mulholland, Lippincott
and the water board, I thoroughly ap-
prove of the project. 1t will be great
thing for the city. If there is as much
water as has been estimated and of the
quality claimed it is worth the money"
w. D. Longyear, cashier of the Secur-
we are most heartily in favor of the
as we understand It,"
Charles Toll, cashier of the Southern
California Savings bank: Our bank
has faith in the judgment of the men
who have the matter in charge, but to
my knowledge none of us have inVes-
tigated the condition of affairs thor
oughly"
A. H. Braly of the Southern Califor-
MIA Savings bank: "I have not investi-
gated the matter. but realize the fact
hat a water supply is an imperative
demand"
T. r. Newlin of the Farmers and
bank: "The matter should.
Of course, be looked into thoroughly,
Dut from what we know of the PROPOSE
ion we are heartily in favor of it. Los
Angeles must prepare to supply water
'or use of a great CITY,"
William Mead of Central Bank of
Los Angeles: I'VE believe that the
purchase Of the owens river water
rights will do much for Los Angeles,
made in the east that we
nave but limited supply of water
nave done more than anything else to
prevent the increase of our popula-
ion"
Warren Gillelen of Broadway Bank
If Savings; IAN the knowledge have
If the situation comes from reading
rhe Herald and The Times, but am a
Of the proposition. and viii
Certainly cast my ballot in its favor"