Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-04
MOVE FOR
UNION DEPOT
UNDER WAY
COUNCIL AND SANTA -FE NAME
COMMITTEES
COLLABORATION FROM OTHER
LINES EXPECTED
Prospect for Contamination Of Plan
Suggested by Robinson eood-Re-
port Of Civic Architect
Is lndorsed

Following Civic Architect Charles Null
ford Robinson's s report on Identifying Los
Angeles, formal steps have been taken TO
secure for Los Angeles the finest Union
depot In the west.
High Santa Re officials have already de-
cided to appoint committee of ten to sec
what steps can be taken to secure a joins
depot and it is expected that the Southern
Pacific and Salt Lake odicials viii make
sirflilar moves.
The now depots in ST Louis, Boston and
Washington are striking examples OF what
joint interests can accomplish.
In Los Angeles such realization VIII
bring about the widening of Fifth street
and the magnificent vista which Architect
Robinson has suggested $ possible ana
advisable between Central avenue and
Los Angeles street If all railroads enter
irg and leaving the Flower city would
combine their terminal interests at the
present site of the old Arcade depot.
Chairman It. w. Blanchard of the mlili
Cipal art commission laid the plan before
the city council Yesterday. and the idea
not only won the communication of that
body but the counclmen Immediately
named A. j. Wallace, Walter Wren, r. w.
Dromgold and T.. l.. Blanchard as a COM
mittee representing the legislative body
to work with the chamber of commerce
on the project.
Time oprortune
Chairman Blanchard told the council
that he had talked with Santa Fe officials
and they had told him the time was ripe
now. With the advent of the trolleys
competition inside the city was such that
the big systems ought easily to agree on
joint terminal project.
II found the Santa Fe officials quite
agreeable to the big depot idea" said Mr..
Blanchard.
The directors have named a committee
of ten to cooperate with similar commit
tees from other roads.
Il believe with proper assistance from
representative bodies here we can carry
the idea through
when fl Washington recently said
Councilman Wallace. II was impresse'1
with the maenidcency and grandeur Of
the architecture and the idea Of the joint
union station there.
such a scheme would impress the
worlds tourists when they come to Los
Angeles
Councilman Yonkin then moved that a
committee of four be named on behalf of
The council.
Earlier in the afternoon the council In
dorsed the plans as submitted
The letter to the council was brief, say
ing;
Problems Complex
take great deal of pleasure in
handing to you with this my report
on the Improvement of the city of Los
Angeles @
There has been an unusual degree of
satisfaction TO me In preparing re-
port for city In which the possibil-
tiles are SO many and so fine, and !
only wish that iii thirty days / had
been able to do more than have.
Los Angeles covers an immense and
diversified territory, and the lack of
uniformity in its street systern-while
making the problem far more interest
ing and the opportunities for effective
work much better-adds to the problem
great complexity.
have worked day and night, and
vet have practically confined myself
within the circle of the city limits, and
therein have taken up only main CEN
ters and lines of development.
city's Envlrons
study ought to be made of the
city's environs Spreading rapidly as
Los Angeles is. and already tied to
many neighboring towns by an eX-
ceptionally good trolley system, no dis
cussion of the Improvement of the city
can look much into the future or truly
grasp the complete problem that is not
given opportunity to consider the sur
rounding towns and country.
Pasadena a Ward
Pasadena must soon be beautiful
residential ward of the greater city
san Pedro and other coast towns must
be a part of There it's seaport
entrance, there its seaside pleasure
ground. and plans should be laid down
as quickly as possible before interven-
ing real estate schemes make them
more difficult of realization for the
4 cutter reservations -as by the sea. and
for the boulevards and main highways
that shall adequately connect the sub
urban towns with the heart of the city.
1 hope that this task may be given
TO me another year There is. great
need that 1t be given to somebody. 1t
will be large and diff1cult study. but
II is one that ought to be authorized
in preparation for the bigge. Los An
geles.
Meanwhile ] have the honor to submit
my suggestions regarding the moro
congested portions of the city-sugges-
fions which ] hope may soon bear
fruit in a more beautiful and con-
venient Los Angeles.