Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-17

mington by a committee of the lead
ing citizens, including F. s. Cary,
cashier of the Bank of Wilmington; j.
M. Brennan, president of the Anti
Rubber Tire company; d. r. Woods,
city clerk and l.. Hanson, leader of the
annexation movement in San Pedro.
Automobiles were in waiting and the
commissioners, were given view OF
the harbor front. They afterWard
were taken to what is known as the
west basin, a tract nearly 700 acres In
extent and which is traversed by cham
nels of varying depth and width, but
all of which is covered by water at
high tide.
This tract, the hosts explained was
capable of being dredged in such
manner as to afford not less than four
miles of water frontage.
The Bannings, however, have built
a wire fence about the entire tract,
and Wilmington wants the assistance
of Los Angeles in taking the basin
out of private hands, where 1t Is
claimed it does not belong, and I'M
proving it for the benefit of the great
er city and the general public.
Successful Meeting Held
After a ride through the residence
district the visitors were entertained at
dinner at the home of Mr.. and Mrs. G..
which place they repaired to Whining
ton hall which was comfortably filled
by residents of the city.
D. r. Woods acted as chairman or the
evening. He said that wilmington was
deeply interested in the consolidation
question. but that the citizens wanted
TO retain control over the deStlnles OF
the city.
President Butler thanked the commit
tee for the most generous reception ana
for the opportunity of seeing the city
and the harbor He declared that the
members Of the commission did not
realize that Wilmington had such an
immense proposition. Mr.. Butler SAID
that Los Angeles wanted to join hands
with Wilmington for mutual penent'
which he was positive would result from
consolidation.
In turn Oscar Mueller, Milton K.
Young, who arrived just previous 10
the meeting; John G.. Mott and Waiter
r, Haas addressed the audience, ex-
plaining the details of the proposed
plan of consolidation and how such
proceeding would work to the advan-
tage of both Wilmington and Los An
geles.
Each speaker was heartily cheered,
and the various members or the COM
mission afterward expressed themselves
as greatly pleased over the evident
favorable attitude of the residents OF
Wilmington on the question OF annexa-
ton.
Comes Out for Annexation
Cop;es of the San Pedro Daily Times
the official paper of San Pedro, were
freely circulated in Wilmington during
the past few days.
The Times, which is the official paper
of San Pedro, is the one which last
Monday announced it's conversion TO
the idea of consolidating San Pedro and
Los Angeles.
In leading editorial the paper says:
1.-THE union of San Pedro, Wilmington
and Los Angeles certainly is foregone
conclusion. To us 1t appears inevitable
and a necessity. If the proposition can
he put through before April so much
the better. Otherwise, the fact that
we then become city of the fifth class
will tend to complicate matters.
"But whether tomorrow, next week,
next month or next year, the larger
municipality must, in the nature OF
things and as a result of the wonder
full enterprise, energy and foresight of
the people, absorb the two smaller ones.
1--WE have entertained with most
hopeful feelings the belief that this
community possessed most favorable
opportunity to build a rich and power
full commercial city, wholly independent
of Los Angeles or any other interior
community. With these feelings we
have opposed consolidation with the
utmost sincerity"
After discussing the apparent lack OF
harmony, due to racial and other con-