Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-14
Readers Finding Them Out

tations In the Long Beach papers have
been believed by their readers, merely
because the subscribers had not the
opportunity Of learning the truth from
other sources.
Recently, however, the commission
had printed several hundred copies of
the report made by the law committee,
and these have been circulated in Long
Beach with good effect. Those who
have read these reports discovered that
they were being misled by the local pa
pers and as a result there has been a
decided change in the sentiment re-
garding the question.
"It is believed by members of the
commission and by the leaders of the
consolidation movement in Long Beach
that all that is necessary to bring about
an almost unanimous sentiment in
favor of consolidation is to place before
the people of Long Beach the actual
facts concerning the plans con-
templated by the consolidation.
"The greatest opposition in Long
Beach to consolidation has been on the
question of local option. By a large
majority the residents of the beach
city are opposed to saloons, and they
have been led to believe that Long
Beach, should that city consolidate
with Los Angeles. would be dominated
by the greater city on the question of
saloons.
Other Misstatements Made
"They also have been told that Long
Beach would lose its identity, that the
city would be governed wholly by Los
Angeles officials, that the tax rate
would be increased. and that the supply
of water is adequate for a city many
times the size of Long Beach.
sFfxN-- Al.N at.,a Inf Hon fNf fIaA
port of the law committee of the con-
solidation commission and through the
individual work Of those who under
stand the true situation the various
misstatements in the Long Beach news
papers are being corrected.
"The people are discovering that in
stead of Long Beach being dominated
in any manner by the greater city they
will continue to be their own masters in
every essential respect. They will con-
tinue to have local option If they so
desire, the present rate of taxation
will be reduced, the name and individ-
uality of Long Beach will be retained,
and local men will be in practical
charge of the city's affairs, through the
president of the borough and the local
commissioners provided for under the
borough system.
"The whole trouble in Long Beach is
the result OF the attitude or the local
newspapers, who are dividing the
spoils of the city printing and object
to giving up their good thing"
It is said to be the intention of the
consolidation commission to have
printed an additional supply of the re-
ports referred to and through the Long
Beach committee circulate them freely
in the beach city.
Last Tuesday night a club was
formed by Long Beach business men
who are in favor of consolidation, and
already it has nearly 200 members c.
c. Doran is president, Frank e. Strong
vice president, and p. M. Peterson sec
retary.
Today the consolidation commission
will be busy completing it's work con-
nected with the calling of special
election on the consolidation of San
Pedro and Los Angeles.
BY the time the council meets this
morning it will be known exactly the
time when the city clerk can complete
the canvass of the signatures on the
petitions requesting the calling of an
election, and the council will be asked
to take recess until such a time as the
petitions win be ready for presentation.
1t is expected that probably Wednes-
day, and not later than Thursday. the
call will be issued for a special cleo
tion to be held within thirty days from
that date.