Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-14
ATTRIBUTES FAILURE
TO S. P. RAILROAD
fcontinued FROM Page one.l

were safeguarded by provisions, such
as requiring a majority vote to favor
the proposition in each city, etc. The
act had the Endorsement of your hon.
orable body and the mayor of Los An
geles, the board of supervisors of Los
Angeles county, the Merchants and
Manufacturers association, the cham
ber of commerce and the press Of Los
Angeles.
Notwithstanding this strong indorse-
ment of the measure, Senator Savage
was instrumental in having the bill
referred to the committee on municipal
corporations, of which he is chairman
and there mutilated it so that 1t would
accomplish no good purpose.
Charges 1t to the S. p.
1.-THE commission believes that he was
simply acting as a representative OF
the Southern Pacific Railway company,
The press and the people generally en-
tertained the same views.
"It is indeed unfortunate that any
railroad company should have such in
fiuence as is attributed to the South
ern Pacific Railroad company. Never
theless, the fact is apparent to all, and
that is the obstacle which has con-
fronted the consolidation commission
from the beginning.
"It is charged that the Southern Pa
cific Railroad company is only inter-
ested in the upbuilding of the port OF
San Francisco and that it does not de-
sire to have San Pedro progress to any
extent as port of entry.
"The actions of the company regard
ing San Pedro harbor have illustrated
it's intentions to retard the progress OF
that city. There are doubtless more
actual improvements in practically
every precinct of Los Angeles erected
by the citizens than there are in the
entire city of San Pedro furnished by
the Southern Pacific Railroad company,
The company fought the appropriation
Of $3,000,0O0 for this harbor with every
means within its power, and its actions
since its contest have been in the same
line.
Quotes Judges Declaration
Touching the situation in Sacra-
mento, we refer to an Associated Press
dispatch which reports Judge Post of
the superior court of Sacramento
county, while assisting in an investiga-
tion as to the means and methods en-
ployed in securing the passage of the
capital removal bill in the legislature,
making use of the following language
in addressing the grand jury March IL,
1907:
~ II the QocldfdllOn Ildue ny MI
Hatton and others alleged to represent
the Southern Pacific Railroad COM
pany are true, that that corporation
and its representatives command ano
control sufficient number of votes In
the legislature to pass or defeat bills
at will 1t is a startling condition OF
affairs, and marks the destruction OF
popular government
"The commission desires to give
credit to the press of Los Angeles, the
San Pedro Times and the Wilmington
Gazette for their hearty support of the
measure inaugurated by the commits
sion.
"In view of the foregoing the commits.
sion informs your honorable body that
consolidation with the harbor cities
cannot be accomplished until legisla-
ture meets at the state capital which
Is not dominated by railroad interests
and win listen to the appeals Of your
honorable body for the passage OF ar
act which will permit voters of con
tiguous cities to decide whether they
desire consolidation.
THE commission wishes to say
further that during the year OF It's ex.
istence it's members have labored to.
gether In perfect harmony and that al
official public utterances and writings
of the commission have at all times