Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-21
OWENS RIVER WATER PROJECT

It is significant of the unanimous
sentiment Of this community that the
recent grand jury, in its final report to
the court, commended the owens river
water enterprise as "a worthy project"
The significance OF the report lies in
the fact that the few corporation
enemies Of the owens river movement
had filed a complaint with the grand
jury and demanded an investigation,
representing that further action would
be harmful to public interests.
With this complaint in hand the
members Of the grand jury--men Of in
tenlgence from different sections of the
county-proceeded at once to acquire a
sufficient amount of detailed informa-
ton on the subject to enable them to
pass Judgment. This information met
with their most careful consideration.
and their deliberate judgment is that
the Owens river water enterprise is en-
tlrely worthy and that 1t should be
contaminated at the earliest possible
moment.
Being men of intelligence and men in
terested in the progress and develop
ment of Los Angeles city and county,
they could not have reached any other
conclusion. Every man, woman and
dependent for life and progress upon
the abundance of it's water supply.
They also are fully alive to the fact
that because of the rapid and marvel
Gus increase in population during recent
years we are within sight of our limit
of supply and that we must make all
possible haste to provide for the neces-
stiles of the coming great metropolis.
1t has been demonstrated beyond
question that there is a sufficient guam
tity of water available in the Owens
lake and river, and that its delivery to
this section is feasible and practical and
contains no special engineering OBJ
stacles. 1t also has been shown, by're-
ports of engineers and other experts,
that the cost will be comparatively
small and easily within the manage
ment of Los Angeles. By the issuance
of bonds the work can be accomplished.
The profits of the water department
will meet the interest on those bonds,
and the sale of power and extra water
supply will very nearly meet the prin-
cipal as it becomes due. This leaves
the taxpayer and citizen with an even
tual-put only probable-increase in his
tax rate, of so small a character that
he would scarcely be conscious of the
increase.
1t is the supply of power that has
aroused corporate animosity toward the
enterprise. With the city of Los An
geles having power to dispose of, some
of the public service corporations might
be compelled to face competition or
lower their rates. In fact they might
eventually face corporate extinction if
the city should find itself so situated
as to be able and willing to indulge in
the municipal ownership of lighting
and power plants.
But such enemies are enemies of pub
lie progress. Los Angeles stands as a
unit in favor of the owens river water
enterprise and it will not countenance
the opposition of those who are oppos-
ing the movement upon wholly selfish
and unpatriotic grounds.
The unanimous commentator by the
grand jury, based upon the formal COM
plants of public enemies, has increased
the public estimate of the project, and
those who would interfere with its
realization might as well learn the
lesson of hopelessness.
The Owens river water enterprise will
be carried to a successful accomplish
ment-never fear.