Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02
NOW LET'S PULL TOGETHER

Let's get right down to hardpan on
this owens river proposition, and deal
with it in all candor and honesty. Here
are few facts bearing on the subject
for your consideration:
Does the city need more water than
its present supply affords? Yes; this
is too self-evident for argument. Ex-
perts say that the growth of the munich
pality is limited by the supply now
available, and more must be pro-
vided.
Where can this be obtained? No
where in this vicinity; all the water
sources hereabouts have been absorbed,
and will not stand much more drain.
The drop in the water level in the nat
ural reservoirs proves this.
Where, then, is the next most avail
able supply? The mountains; the re-
gion of perpetual snow, whose melting
in the summer gives plenty of water
Just when it is needed most, of a
quality purer than any obtainable else
where.
What is the best place to obtain this
supply that must be had? Owens river,
say the expert engineers-not only those
secured by the city, but the government
engineers, who can have no possible
personal interest in the project. And,
also, those of the power companies who
alone are fighting the plan.
Does Owens river afford the requisite
supply, in volume and quality? Yes;
the city, according to government meas
urements just made. has more than
$4,000 miners inches-it has claimed
only 10000. And it is two and one
half times as good as the water now in
use, which is considered excellent.
Is the project feasible? Yes; experts
in mechanics and engineering say it is
very simple. Even the experts of the
opposing power companies have certi-
fed to this, by their willingness to con-
struct a conduit for these same power
companies, who desire it.
Is the cost reasonable? Yes; $23,-
900, 900 at the outside, and the power to
be developed will pay this debt and
leave the plant free of expense, and a
continual source of revenue to the city.
Then who is opposing it? Only the
power companies and their subsidized
penny dreadful. And they only through
Because THEY WANT
IT THEMSELVES.
But do they? Certainly; didn't they
offer to construct the conduit and GIVE
t to the city for the use of the power |
to be developed through it? If they, |
,eing merely business concerns, can see |
wherein there is water enough to make |
hem a huge profit after constructing |
he conduit and giving both it and
he water rights to the city FOR
merely for the power OBJ
alma ble-and they don't do this from
my philanthropic motives, rest assured
then certainly it ought to appeal as
business proposition to the city, and
he value of owning conduit. water and
,ower ought to strike home to the
rood sense of every thinking man.
Hence the source of their opposition;
hey fear the competition of this cheap
power, and they think that if the city |
s defeated in it's plans to construct
his conduit they can grab Owens river
FOR THEMSELVES, construct the
Itch, develop the power and sell it
It their present exorbitant rates, and
lso sell the city the water, which it
must have and can only obtain from
his one source.
That's 1.-The bug under the chip" All
he garbled and falsified statements,
II the perversions of expert reports,
IL the fake "Veritas" letters and PRO ]
emmy organ-all are worked and con-
octed for this one, sole and selfish pur-
ose. That's the niger in the wood
lie.
1t is up to Los Angeles, and the choice
; between two things: Shall we secure
n ample supply of the finest water
n earth for city of more than 1,000,-
90, at an inconsiderable cost, which
ost will in the end be covered by the
over developed, thus making the
Whole plant free gift to the city, or
hall we lie down, turn it over to the
over companies that covet it and are
ghting it for selfish ends, then buy
ur water from these same power COM
anies, and assist them in keeping up
heir outrageous prices for power and
ght?
Let's be men, and face the problem
Ike men. That's all there is to it. It
evelops into one proposition or the
ther. And all the chicane, all the lies,
Il the forgeries and all the wool pull
1g can't obscure the one issue-Los
npeles or the mower cononaniaso