Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-09
CITY CLUB CHEERS
OWENS SPEAKERS
SNOW-CRESTED SiERRAS HOLD
FUTURE HOPE
Messrs. Mathews and Lippincott Paint
Vivid Word Pictures of Los An.
geIes' Stupendous Water
Project

Drinking to the success of the Owens
river bond issue water that came from
the Owens river itself, the City club
members participated in a memorable
function yesterday at the Westminster.
Demijons of the sparkling fluid, sent
from the high Sierras for the occasion,
furnished inspiration to the half hun
dred representative young men of Los
Angeles who regularly grace these
weekly gatherings to study the city's
needs.
The president of the United States
was toasted with the first of the
precious fluid poured into the glasses,
and with what was left the guests filed
the little bottle souvenirs which all
wore on the lapels of their coats.
Two Hours Debate
For nearly two hours yesterday aft
ernoon the City club heard talks on
the Owens river by two men well quail
tied to discuss the subject-Special
Counsel William B. Mathews of the
aqueduct board and Assistant Chief
Engineer ]. b. Lippincott.
Following the weekly luncheon at
the Westminster the guests leaned
back to hear the final discussion of the
bond issue election, which is only a
few days off.
Mr.. Mathews devoted himself mainly
to showing the absolute necessity of
the aqueduct the high character of the
men serving on the water board and
the board of public works and closed
with a plea that all property owners
ask President James A. Anderson of
the latter board to consent to serve
another term.
Engineer Lippincott used lantern
slides and after a graphic talk about
the snow-crested Sierras dwelled at
length on a point heretofore neglected
that with this additional water sup
ply $4,000 acres of unused agricultural
land around Los Angeles can be irri-
gated, bringing millions into the city
every month from producers, besides
the additional taxes due to the great in
crease in the value of the lands SO en-
riched.
Only One Hope
Mr. Mathews said the Los Angeles
river was the best argument now that
Los Angeles needed a new water sup
ply.
Locally our source of supply is be-
ing rapidly consumed by reason of the
growth of our city," said he. I'VE
must look elsewhere and there is but
one point where we can get sufficient
water. True it is far to go, but the
cost is worth it.
LOS AD6GlGS Will llo ilSCuo anu
means must bring the owens water
here. 1t is not an experiment, but a
necessity"
| Mr.. Mathews likened the situation to
death struggle of a city with condi-
tions that tend to bring disaster.
This issue involves the existence
of the city as a great metropolis" he
declared. IF the election fails the
failure will be a tremendous one"
Millions from irrigation
Engineer Lippincott devoted himself
mainly to explaining the photographs
of owens valley scenes, thrown on a
screen in the darkened room.
| After the lecture Mr.. Lippincott
dwelled for some length on point
hitherto neglected-the immense reve-
nue. which would come to Southern
California through the additional acre
age that could be cultivated. becau=e OF
the added water supply.
The amount of water which the aque-
duct will convey will make'it possible to
irrigate $4,000 additional acres. This
will enable the raising of millions CT
dollars worth of produce annually, add
ing thousands of dollars each month to
the tax income and sending up values on
all these $4,000 acres.