Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-21
SAN PEDRO HEARS
ANNEXATION PLEA
AUDIENCE APPROVES OF CON-
S0LIDATI0N
Members Of Commission Tell Resi-
dents Of the City by the Sea
What They Would
Gain

Gain
with clear, forceful statements and
| masterful logic little band of Los
| Angeles business men sought to con-
vince a large audience of San Pedro
residents of the mutual advantages to
| be derived from consolidation of the
| two cities. A crowd of the best people
of the little seaside city thronged the
San Pedro opera house and gave a re-
| spectful hearing to the speakers; and
| when the members of the Consolida-
ton committee had finished, the hearty
applause of their hearers convinced
them that they had gained the audi
ence's approval of the sentiments they
had uttered.
The Los Angeles delegation, which
numbered less than dozer, consisted
of such men as S. A. Butler, president
of the commission; r. l.. Chesebro the
secretary; M. H. Flint. postmaster of
Los Angeles; Walter f. Haas, oscar
c. Mueller, John G. Mott and r. w.
Prdham.
Frank Burns, cashier of the Central
bank and a prominent San Pedro bust
ness man, called the meeting to order,
after which President Butler was intro
duced and explained how the CONSOLE
dation committee had been chosen,
namely, five by the county board of
supervisors, five by the Los Angeles
city council, and the remaining five
members by the chamber of commerce
and other commercial bodies.
Not CoerciVe
Postmaster Flint spoke at length on
the prestige that would accrue to the
smaller city by uniting with Los Ange-
les.
I'm short time" he said, 1--WE will
be one of the ten largest citiese in the
United States. Do you want to be
part of this great city, or remain as
you are? We have not, contrary to the
opinions of some people, come here in
coercive mood. We can argue, but
you must vote majority in favor of the
proposition or it cannot be accom-
plished.
"Then, too the question of water is
one of the most important problems to
decide. If you are securing your water
from wells, you will find that the time
will come when, if we have a few dry
seasons, you will lack water. With the
Owens river, we shall have enough for
you, and us, and Greater Los Angeles.
"In my own business [ can see adj
vantages that will accrue to you. The
small cities must of necessity wait for
an appropriation when the larger cities
need funds from Washington. You are
at present entitled to free mail deliV-
cry, but it is impossible for the govern
ment to give it. If you were a part of
Los Angeles you would get your mail
when and where you want it,"
Tells of Taxation
Oscar Mueller spoke on the question
of taxation. He said: "I doubt whether
it would be advisable for Pasadena to
join Los Angeles, and I say the same
of Long Beach, but San Pedro and Will
mington are great commercial cities,
and ought to join us. There has al
ways been opposition to such plans as
this-witness Brooklyn; and yet, there
is not a man in Brooklyn today who
would wish himself out of Greater New
York.
1.-The question of prestige cannot be
combated. Los Angeles with her
forty-four banks, her $100,O00,000 depos-
it's, her 10000 new structures erected
within the past year at cost or $lS,-
100000, would be bound to reflect to
the glory of San Pedro if she Joined us.
Last year the state, county and city
tax for Los Angeles was 81 30, as OPP
posed to San Pedros tax of $3.50. Will
the taxes be increased? No! The
great buildings of Los Angeles VIII
help pay your taxes. The Pacific Elec-
trio building, assessed at $75O,OOO will
help pay your school tax. San Fran
cisco, graft-ridden though she has been,
under the system which we are propos-
ing, had tax of only $1.64.
"On the new strip which was recently
annexed, a great boulevard can be built
connecting the two cities; and If the
railroads try to establish eXorbitant
rates, a municipal railroad can be con-
structed and the rates made extremely
low. (Applause).
Charter Will Delay Action
eff you adopt the freebooter charter
I.4s .r4
be able to consolidate with Los Ange-
les for at least two more years."
Walter Haas, formerly city attorney
of Los Angeles, spoke on the legal
phase of the question. IF you adopt
this charter now, and it is ratified by
the state legislature. consolidation is
impossible. Under. no conditions could
Los Angeles force you to join her; and
not even if we could, would we. Los
Angeles has the advantage of being a
great commercial center, and for that
reason should have an outlet to the sea.
"All the outlying districts which
were taken in could be divided into
boroughs, each one electing its own
president and borough commissioner
or alderman, The city proper could be
ruled by two houses, the higher, com
posed of the borough presidents, and
the lower of the aldermen.
you would have the support of the
Los Angeles chamber or commerce.
body composed of 2400 business men Of
that city.
was there ever a time when Los
Angeles hesitated to put her hand in
her pocket and help you in your fight
for the marlboro"
Terminal Rates Discussed
John G. Mott spoke of the advantages
in terminal rates. He said: "If the
railroads won't give you terminal rates,
we have thought out plan for a NUM-
cipal railroad" (Applause). He also