Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-26
THE GREAT AoUEDUcT

In fourteen pungent paragraphs the
chamber of commerce, the Merchants
and Manufacturers association and the
Municipal league have set forth the
reasons why the taxpayers and people
Of Los Angeles should, on June IL next
vote for the issuance of S2S, 100000 of
bonds to construct a great aqueduct
from the Owens river valley, in Inyo
county, to this city, whereby may be
perpetually conveyed into Los Angeles
bountiful and never-failing supply OF
water.
Los Angeles has had until recently
fairly good supply of water, but 1t has
been demonstrated that 1t is sufnclent
only for a population not exceeding
300. 900 people. a limit which we have
Just about reached. During the past
three years warnings have been given
on several occasions that the water
supply was approaching the bottom
and in two seasons the greatest care
had to be exercised, both in the matter
of conservation and use, t9 prevent a
famine.
Today the city is booming along
toward the half million mark, and the
only thing that can possibly check its
growth in that direction is a scarcity
of water. The chamber of commerce
shows that all the water now avail
able in Southern California is needed
for the development of territory trib-
utary to this city, and hence water
brought from a distance is an addition
of so much new producing power and
consequent wealth. The engineers
who have been consulted on the sub
ject are unanimous in the opinion that
water for city purposes and in sufh-
cient quantities, cannot be obtained
short of the Owens river valley, 24O
miles away. All statements to the con-
trary are mere buncombe. the givings-
out of agents of the power companies
who do not desire the city to have its
electrical power in its own hands.
This city has already purchased and
now owns 1000 inches minimum flow
of water in the Owens river valley and
by the construction of additional reser-
voirs for the storage of flood waters,
as contemplated in the plans for final
completion of the system, continuous
flow of 10000 inches will be delivered,
or enough to satisfy every want of a
city exceeding 100000 in population
and to supply electrical power to all
industries that can be planted in this
section.
Twentv-three millions of dollars Is
a great sum-a sum corresponding,
however, to the greatness and neces-
sity of the enterprise. But while that
sum is a great one the weight of its
distribution among those who will be
called upon to carry it will be almost
infinitesimal.
The chamber of commerce. whose
knowledge and authority on the sub
ject will not be questioned, declares
that "DURING THE PERIOD OF
THE INCREASED
TAXATION WILL NOT EXCEED AN
AVERAGE OF 80 CENTS ON EACH
800 OF ASSESSMENT" and that
"this estimate will probably prove ex-
cessive, as it is based on last years
assessment roll and present popula-
ton"
This is the whole story in nutshell
and all efforts by the subsidized even
ing penny dreadful to obscure or be-
cloud the situation are merest tommy
rot-the last struggles of power COM
panies to prevent the bringing into
Los Angeles of the tremendous water
flow that will ultimately pay the bonds
and put an end to the electrical power
monopoly in Southern California.
Every citizen who desires the well
fare of Los Angeles, who hopes for still
further advancement in the value OF
his home or vacant lot, who aspires tc
see Los Angeles with 100000 people ir
less than five years to come and who
anticipates in this beautiful valley the
greatest and best city in the Union
the playground of the world-will moi
only cast his ballot for the Owens river
bond issue, but will work for the sue
cess of the enterprise and do his share
toward making the total vote as nearly
unanimous as an enthusiastic gather
ing of 100000 people can accomplish
such a desired and desirable object.