Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-03
WEATHER BY COMPARISON


It is admitted by Angelenos that this
winter has been the worst so far as
climate Is concerned, Of any in seven
tcen years. This may not mean much
to an easterncr, but It does emphasize
the fact to natives that this has been
an unusual season-particularly as to
cold rain and abundance of IL. The
result is that our boasted climate has
undoubtedly been q bit awry. and that
the sunshine which gives this land its
fame has been less in quantity than
for many n year
These things are facts and they have
a bearing on the situation so far as
easterners are concerned. The latter
come here with the idea that perpetual
brightness is a characteristic of this
region and that rain. snow and cold
are utterly absent here. OF course
this is n mistake: we have our Off
days. as we'll as does any other dis
trict. and this year they have been
unusually off and numerous.
But the fact remains-and this is
what Los Angeles empha sizes-that off
days here are but joke compared
with mean ones back east. We do not
have days whom the rain Galls steadily
and hard, and when there is a chilly
dampness in the air which is disagree
able and penetrating. But what Is all
this compared to a day in the east of
similar character?
Tbprp a tbig ti,,,. a..
doesn't rain; It sleets or SHOWS. The
earth is frozen solid, or else is in that
condition of half thaw which is worse.
The elements expend themselves and
the ground becomes either glaze of
ice or marsh of muck and slush.
The snow clogs the transit facilities
and puts the whole business of a city
to the bad. The sleet breaks the tele-
graph wires, makes the streets a glare
of sickness and demoralizes things
generally. The while the cold is iu.
tense and people shiver and snort and
feel it in their marrow, and are utterly
miserable.
Los Angeles has nothing of this sort.
no matter how disagreeable a day NAV
be here, by comparison. The coldest
weather here is hardly sufficient to
permit a light frost, which is never
severe enough to cause damage to
vegetation. The rain may make muddy
streets, but there is no slush or snow to
turn them into skating ponds or
marshy lakes. There is no chance of
frostbitten fingers or frozen toes. One
can exist without furs or muffled ears
and the greatcoat of the easterner is
only a tradition.
Everything in this world must be
judged by comparison, else there be
neither good nor bad. BY comparison
the worst of the winter weather in
Southern California is paradise COM
pared with the best that the east can
afford. We may catch a spell of rainy.
damp and chill weather-very bad for
this climate, and especially unusual.
But in marked contrast, at the same
time the east will be blanketed with
snow or bound tight with ice or frozen
solid. The blizzard will be DESTROYING
life, while out here the rains NAV
make boots comfortable: and the peo-
pie may be chilblained there, while a
fire is not unwelcome here. That is all
Los Angeles climate is not heavenly:
that no one claims. But it is asserted,
and without fear of contradiction. that,
all things considered, Los Angeles
weather, beside that of any other place
in the United States, Is so far superior
that there is no comparison. And that
Is all that is claimed for it.
Fasteners come here, some of them,
with the idea that the streets are but
drives between hedges of perpetual
flowers; that the sun is never obscured,
and that the coolest day one is COM
Portable in peekaboo in the shade.
Such follies are soon dfspelled upon
then prone to cuss the deception"
practiced upon him, forgetting that he
is the cause of his disappointment for
lack of common sense, which he doesn't
possess.
But If that same cussing tourist will
take the home paper and read what
it says of his home climate on the
very udy lHdt Il cool ram is railing
in Los Angeles; if he will compare
temperate sky and meteorological
conditions generally day for day, he
will likely open his eyes and admit
that, despite any imaginary drawbacks,
Los Angeles has far the better Of his
own town in every way.
That is the boast Of Los Angeles
that no matter how disagreeable it
may be for the time being it will be
better than the weather that is pre-
vailing at 1.-THE old home" If that is
what is wanted-an improvement-this
is the place to find it. If more is de-
sired-inccssant heat and sunshine,
never-failing rain and perpetual floral
displays-that person should shuttle off
this mortal coil without further delay
and seek perfection in the only place
it is to be found-the celestial realms
above. That's all