Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-01

Los Angeles, through her city coun-
ell. yesterday gave the Hartman inter-
ests the right to build miles Of subways,
the chief one being south of and par
allel with Fourth street.
1t also ordered for sale the franchise
permitting grade crossings at Flower
street, Vermont avenue and elsewhere.
The council thrust aside the wishes of
City Attorney-elect Leslie r. Hewitt
and. led by Councilmen Smith and
Houghton, voted privileges to e. H.
Hartman and his trolley roads which
will bring millions of cash into Los An
geles.
Work must be started within three
months. Officials told The Herald yes
terday that work could begin in two
weeks If necessary, as much steel, con-
crete and bricks had been arranged for.
Some other ordinances eplargiug the
Hartman plans are needed, and these
will doubtless be received, as the coun-
ell meets again Wednesday at 10 o'clock.
City Attorney Explains
Before the subway ordinances were
read the following explanatory letter
was sent from the city attorneys Of
flee:
I have prepared and herewith present
the draft of an ordinance granting to
the Los Angeles-Pa cific company per-
mission to construct subway under
certain property of that company in
this city and under certain public
the westerly line of Hill street and the
west city boundary.
II have inserted in this ordinance a
provision that whenever the city re-
quires the use of any portion of the
area beneath any public street or alley
under which said subway extends, for
municipal purposes, 1t shall have the
right to take possession of and use such
area, and. in my opinion, such permit
should not be granted without this pro-
vision.
Regulation of Fares
"In reference to the petition of citi-
Zens filed with the council and referred
to this office, asking that the grant of
the permit to the railway company con-
tain a provision limiting the rate of
fare between this city and points out
side the city to 25 cents for the round
trip, / beg to state that, under the laws
of this state, the city is destitute of the
capac city to bargain with a railroad
company III DcHelll vi thN Nioi " Il
cling public for rates of transportation
to outside points.
"In view of the fact that said COM
pany may engage in the transportation
of passengers through said subway be-
tween points within the city, and of
the contingency that territory outside
of this city, through which the lines of
said company extend. may hereafter be-
come part of the city so as to render the
IL S,gI I,, ,.oca n 1
have framed and herewith submit the
draft of provision. to be inserted in
the ordinance granting said permit.
prescribing maximum fare of cents
within the city and regulating fares to
be charged between points within the
present limits of the city and places in
territory that may hereafter be an
neXed."
Pope Suggests Changes
Although the members of the council
seemed thoroughly willing to grant
everything the trolley interests wanted.
here and there some members baked
on some features until they were eX-
planned by Judge John X. Pope, the
attorney for the railways. when in
varia bly, changes and amendments were
inserted In the original draft of the
ordinance as sent from the city at
torneys office
The council came out strongly in
opposition to the using Of the tunnels
for freight carrying and the company
did not ask such a privilege. possibly
knowing the temper of the lawmakers.
The original provision in regard to
freight carrying and motive power was
amended so as to permit the use of
compressed air as well as electricity
as a means Of transportation. the
amended section reading:
mo steam engine or locomotive or
any freight car shall ever be run or
operated in or through said subway.
and no motive power, except electricity
or compressed air shall be used to
operate cars in or through same"
Can Carry Wires, Too
Discussion ensued over the section
that the company shall not
useI the subway for any purpose ex-
cept as a tunnel for cars without first
hay ing obtained permission.
such means Of income as running a
pi1e line through the subway, carrying
tubes or telegraph wires