Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-24
OFFICIAL NOTICE
BY CIVIC BODIES
OWENS RIVER PROJECT IS
STRONGLY lND0RSED
Chamber of Commerce, M. and M. AS
ISOLATION and Municipal League
Issue Letter Favorina Wa
ter Project

The platform of the Owens river
election" was made public yesterday at
the chamber of commerce in the form
OF an official address to the people.
This document is the most weighty
and important yet formulated on the
great aqueduct project.
For nearly two weeks directors of the
three big civic organizations have
worked on the address to the public,
weighing every question for it's truth
fulness and conservatism.
The chamber of commerce placed the
final stamp of approval and indorse-
ment upon the Owens river project yes
terday by unanimous adoption of the
joint address to the citizens.
Civic Bodies Endorsement
The full text of this important docu-
ment is as follows:
To the Citizens of Los Angeles:
The Los Angeles chamber of COM
merce, Merchants and Manufacturers
association and Municipal league in
dorse the proposal of twentythree
million dollar bond issue for supplying
the city of Los Angeles with Owens
river water, and call upon all citizens
to vote "yes'' at the election to be held
June IL, 1907.
Our reasons are:
First-The city must largely increase
its water supply.
Second-All the water within South
ern California is needed for the de-
velopment Of territory tributary to this
city.
Third-Water brought from elsewhere
is an addition Of so much new produc-
ing power and consequent wealth.
Fourth-The Owens river has been
shown to be the most feasible source
of such supply.
Fifth-The city has purchased and
owns II, 900 inches minimum flow of
water in the Owens River valley. By
the construction of additional reser-
voirs for storage of flood waters as
contemplated In the plans for final COM
pletion of the system, continuous flow
of 10000 inches will be delivered.
Sixth-The Owens river water at the
point of intake is OF better quality than
that now used by the city of Los Ange-
les.
Seventh-The total estimated cost Of
acquiring the water rights and bring
ing the water to the San Fernando val
ley, thus making it available to the city
of Los Angeles. is S24, ,4S5,7 700. Bonds for
81 900 of this amount were voted In
September, 1906, leaving S23, ,000, 900 now
to be voted and sold in series as needed
Eighth-The estimated cost for i'm
proving and expanding the system by
building all additional storage reser-
voirs and cover to the conduit is S3,-
1877 900; but this expenditure will not be
required until later and can be paid
for as needed out of surplus earnings of
the system.
Ninth-The estimate of cost and time
required for construction was made by
a board of engineers of such national
standing in their profession as to make
their findings authoritative
Tenth-During the period of construc-
tion the increased taxation will not ex-
ceed an average Of 80 cents on each
$100 of assessment. This estimate will
probably prove excessive, as it is based
on last years assessment roll and pres
ent population.
Eleventh-After construction the rev.
enue to be derived from the sale Of
water alone at present rates should
more than cover the charges for sink
ing fund and interest on this and previ-
GUS water bond issues, together with all
expenses for maintenance, betterments
and repairs.
A Valuable Asset
Twelfth-Los Angeles will possess an
exceedingly valuable asset in the cleo
trical power which can be developed in
bringing the Owens river water here, |
but this feature has not been included
in these estimates, as it is incidental
to the main question of supplying the
city with water.
Thirteenth-The best legal authorities
obtainable pronounce our rights and
titles good.
Fourteenth-We have great conf |
dence in the boards and officials in
whose charge the aquedluct is to be, |
and we believe that the people will see
to 1t that politics is kept out of these
departments and that the character of
administering officials is not lowered.
By order of board of directors,
Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce,
BY William D. Stephens, President.
Merchants and Manufacturers Asso-
citation,
By J. M. Schneider, President.
Municipal League,
BY ]. o. Koephi, President.