Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-28
COUNCIL FOR
BIG SALARIES
VOTE ON CHARTER CHANGES
FEBRUARY 2
OF 90 PROPOSITIONS, 10 CONCERN
HIGHER PAY
City Legislators See No Chance to
Get Away from Suggestions
Of the Municipal
League
Continued from Page oneo

building. This is the plan worked out
by S. G. Marshutz, who, with CITY LII
brarian Lummis, was present to make
any explanation desired by the coun-
Gil. A plan to clear up any doubt as
to the legal right of the library direc-
tors to utilize the money obtained
from fines and sales of worn-out books
was not accepted by the council.
The harbor commissions proposition
is simply for the purpose of assuring
an up-to date charter when the legls-
lature passes laws permitting CONSOLE
dation or the establishment of the bor-
ough system.
The water commissioners proposed
charter amendments which will remedy
present defects in the management of
the water system. One section gives
the council power to make water
charges a lien upon the property in or
der to enforce non-payment of water
bills. Another puts the cost of water
mains on a par with the construction
of sewers by charging the cost against
the property at interest. Another
places against unimproved property
cost of water main construction by
which the property will benefit, cost
now reaching $4,000 a year, which the
city pays.
Council Wants More Power
The councils proposition to abolish
the police, fire and park commissioners
nroyides that commissioners in office
shall be allowed to continue until the
expiration of their terms. After that
time the offices are to be abolished and
the council is to take over all the pow
er now held by tie commissions, Whlch
comprehends sway over large number
of offices.
Another proposition is designed to
RI rnorIllaf "a
the carrying of freight upon street cars
"for such time and subject to such re
striu lions and conditions and for such
CONDENSATION to the city as the coun-
ell may in such ordinances prescribe
A number of matters are included
in one proposition. One of these brings
the city forester into the charter with
power to provide for proper trimming
of ornamental trees on the lines now
followed in Riverside. Others care for
the removal of weeds, rubbish and
grass from vacant lots and sidewalks,
require property owners to make street
connections by pipes before paving is
put down, settle the jurisdiction of the
city over the streets, give power to
make streets into boulevards and 10
improve them accordingly, authorize
the council to adopt the Rochester
system Of looking after dogs and other
animals and settle the speed limit.
For Longer Franchises
A proposition which was adopted by
the council after some argument as TO
the ACCESSIBILITY of longer term, calls
for the extension of the life of fran
chises to thirty-five years. The pres
ent limitation is twenty-one years.
Councilman Clampitt wanted the term
made fifty years. This carries the pro-
vision that voters may consider longer
period on a majority vote.
A proposition was adopted proVtd-
ing for an increase of the amount
which may be appropriated for public
demonstrations from $4,000 to $4,000.
Councilman Healey wanted the limit
made $4,000, for, he said, this is get
ting to be a big town" The other
members were afraid that amount
would defeat the proposition.
The city plan, which was worked out
by City Attorney Hewitt, was incor-
porated among the amendments to be
voted upon. 1t is devised to prevent
property owners taking advantage of
projected opening or widening of streets
by erecting buildings to enable them
to ask a fancy sum in damages.
The provision adopted for the con-
solidation of special elections limits
the number of subjects which may be
voted upon at one time to ten.
Minor propositions which were incor-
porated in the ordinance change the
date of filing reports by city officers
from November 80 to July 2, to bring
them into agreement with the fiscal
year: strike out the section requiring
the reading of the assessment roll, and
that relating to the depositing of money
in city banks, and require the county
clerk to furnish the city clerk all reg
listers for elections.
Mushet and Civil Service
The council rejected a proposed
amendment which prevents the passage
of ordinances on the day they are in
troduced save in emergencies, on the
ground that the council rules cover