Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-28
MEASURE PROBABLY WILL BE
RETURNED TODAY
THE CoUNClLMEN TAKE ISSUE
Mr.. McAleer Finds Fault With the
Candle Power and Heat Units
Provision Of the Pro-
posed Law

last night, that he would today veto
the public utility measure, better
known as the gas ordinance which was
passed three weeks ago yesterday by
the council.
The mayor did not state the exact
reasons which have led him to this
decision. These will be given in his
message to the council in explanation
Of his action in Withholding his sigma
ture from the measure and returning
1t to them.
While the ordinance was passed
three weeks ago it was held up in some
way for several days. The law gives
the mayor ten days after an ordinance
has been received by him in which to
consider it. The time limit on the gas
ordinance will expire today. Should
the mayor fail to affix his signature to
the ordinance or to return it to the
council, that is to the citS- clerk by
tonight, the measure would become
law Immediately, according to the city
attorney.
The mayor intimates that the section
of the ordinance regarding gas does
not please him and that he believes the
measure would be improved with the
power increased and the heat units
raised fifty points.
counciImen Take Issue
Many of the councilmen take issue
with the mayor on this question and
declare that the public utility ordinance
as passed was a great victory for the
rights of the people. They declare
that the mayor overlooks the fact that
the ordinance covers telephone and
electric light service as well as gas.
Councilmen also assert that gas of the
candle power and heat units which the
mayor appears to be advocating is not
suitable for either lighting or heating
purposes.
Councilman Kern, president of the
board Of public works, is making a
fight for the ordinance on the grounds
that it is just to all and that is the
only kind of an ordinance which will
stand in therscourts. Another point
which Councilman Kern brings out is
that Los Angeles is the only place in
the world where oil Is used for the
manufacture of gas, that the gas COM
pany uses great quantities of California
oil and that to force the company to
make it's gas from coal, as it is MAIN
tanned that the mayors proposition
would do, would work great Injustice
and hardship on the oil industry in Los
Angeles.
Councilman Hammon said yesterday:
I'm my opinion the ordinance as passed
is a fair measure of great Importance.
1t would if enforced, believe, regu-
late these great monopolies and that
is what the people are asking for. In
my ward I know they wanted gas of
uniform good quality, and inspection
of gas and electric meters. 1 thor
oughly canvassed the subject and
found no complaint about the price of
the gas, but simply of the points men
toned. / am in favor of the ordinance
as 1T is and the mayor will have to
prove to me that am wrong in my
convictions"
Says People Favor 1t
'The gas ordinance is something for
which the people of Los Angeles have
long been waiting" said Councilman
Hitler yesterday, and continued, "I do
not understand all of these delays to
which this ordinance is being put, but
I am heartily favor it the way it
stands"
II am emphatically in favor of the
gas ordinance as 1t stands and believe
that it will regulate the three public
utilities which it specifies" declared
Councilman Smith yesterday and con-
tinued, 1--WE must be fair to all, first
of all give the people their rights.
TO amend the ordinance in the manner
which 1 understand the mayor desires.
endangers it's validity and from all I
can hear 1t would work hardship and
injustice on our oil industry.
BEST We Could Do"
II voted for the measure before be-
cause 1 thought 1t was the best we
could do, and the mayor will have to
convince me that l was wrong before
/ can see 1t in the light he does. The
e'Ne%N NAAAh6 ~ it6uldllOH Ol THESE
companies, the quality of gas and cleo
tricity and the inspection of meters.
This is what the people want and the
ordnance covers these points"
Every member of the council voted
AYE on this gas or public utility or
dinance and despite this fact the mayor
has seen fit to refuse to sign it," said
President summerland yesterday. 'TI
do not understand what he bases all of
his objections ON, but fa'l to see the
point to some of them
THE people were ,anding legis-
lation that would re. ..ate these public
utilities and the city attorney drew up
this ordinance after great deal of
thought and consideration, and gave as
Icontinued on Page Twel