Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-09
RABBI HECHT ON
WATER QUESTION
SAYS SUCCESS OF BONDS IS
ESSENTIAL
In Lecture to His Congregation, Noted
Divine Uses Biblical Quotations
to Show Flock the Right
Way to Vote

The Rev. DR.. S. Hecht rabbi of Con-
gregation Bnai Birth, delivered lec-
ture at the temple yesterday in the
course of the regular weekly Sabbath
service, discussing the question, rs
This a Christian Nation?"
DEPRESSING apparently from his sub
ject, he referred briefly to the Owens
river project. using in part the follow
ing language:
Has the election called for next
Wednesday to vote on the issuance by
the city of Los Angeles of bonds to the
amount of $2S,000,000, for the purpose
of bringing to our city much needed
supply of water from the Owens river,
has that election, l say, any bearing on
the question before us? Decidedly,
yes.
II do not deem 1t necessary to dwell
at any length upon an argument in
favor Of the project All of you here
assembled are loyal to this city of your
homes, you all unite in the purpose of
contributing your share towards it's
growth, prosperity and security; you
desire to see her take that place among
the growing and thriving municipali-
ties of our country to which by her
many advantages and favors by nature
bestowed upon her she is entitled. And
1 know you to be unselflsh enough to
bring sacrifices, to back up your senti-
ments by the actual performance, and
to expect no greater reward than that
which comes from the consciousness of
duty faithfully and we'll performed.
You are, 1 know, animated by the spirit
that prompted the great prophet of old
to address his brethren in the Baby
lonian exile with that we'll known ad-
r1nnitinn. 1Gaalr tho Eua1fara nF "a
land into which 1 have caused you to
be led, for in her welfare shall ye fare
well.'
water in ample quantity and suffi-
cient quality is one of the first. If not
the first, conditions for a city's de-
velopment, and only those who are
snort-sighted, those who advocate the
Observation-Disclosures policy, who are
too easily satisfied, care naught for
progress, will be found among those
who are Indifferent or opposed to the
project
1T is gigantic undertaking; it will
impose upon our citizenship a heavier
tax; it may be that some will feel it
to be burdensome; but granted all that
might be urged on the part Of the
ultra it disappears and
loses its weight as an argument against
the bond issue if it be admitted that
IhO PAOSCiit supply VI "dbCL Will llOI
suffice for any increased population,
that standstill means retrogression,
that the plan submitted is practical
and that the end cannot possibly be
attained in more economical way.
These points have been made so clear
to everyone that civic duty, patriotism
and loyalty, apart from the ultimate
material advantage, should induce the
whole vote of the city to be brought
out. and brought out in favor of the
bonds.
"Is this a Christian country, is this a
Christian state, is this Christian city?
say no, for Christianity means to me
religion, and in this campaign rabbi
priest and minister are invoked to
render their assistance. But the rabbi
is not appealed to as Jew, the priest
not as Roman Catholic, the minister
not as Protestant. but all are called
upon as citizens, with equal rights and
equal duties called to perform the lat
ter in order that they may secure the
former"