Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-07
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cheaper in the end to have beautiful
city than an ill-kept one.
Sealer of Weights and Measures
The department of sealer of weights
and measures is one to which much atten-
ton should be given the coming year
This department although only nine
months old, has proven itself to be self
supporting and of immense value in pro-
tecting the people against cheating by
false weight.
One thing which has handicapped the
department is the lack of support from
the legislative body. In most cities OF
the size of Los Angeles there Is a sealei'
Of weights and measures and big force
of assistants Los Angeles started with
n. erely a sealer and expected him 10 90
the work of seven or ten men, recent
". however, one assistant was provided
him. The legislative body insisted that
the salary of these officials come out OF
the earnings of the office. This has made
1t necessary for these employees to give
up all their time to the testing of scales
for the fee. and no effort has been made
to prosecute offenders because If they did
so they would find at the end of the
month that they had not earned enough
to pay their salaries.
The fines in police courts of New York
city in one year amount to $4,000 In
San Francisco there are twenty-five dep
uties and the police court fines more than
pay the salaries of all employed.
If this department was strengthened
so some of the employees could follow in
the wake of those who test scales and
make them right for the sole purpose of
prosecuting Offenders the fees would not
only increase the revenue but the police
court fines | am sure would go long
way toward paying the salaries In ad-
dition to the earnings of the office the
people would be protected against un-
scrupulous merchants.
Fire Department
These improvements are necessary tor
the protection of the city against fire,
and l urgently request that provisions D,
made so the department viii get the
money necessary to make them:
First-That an engine house be built on
the lot owned by the city on Figueroa
street near Seventh street.
Second--That a lot be purchased in the
vicinity of Fourth and Main streets ami
house be erected for an engine COM
pany.
Third-That a lot be purchased in the
vicinity of the Santa Fe depot and an
engine house erected. This location has
no protection closer than ten blocks and
is rapidly being built UP with large fac
tories and warehouses.
Fourth-That a lot be purchased in the
vicinity of California and Hill streets ar !
engine house erected to accommodate an
engine company and a service truck.
This district has many apartment house1
of frame nature and better protection
is needed.
Fifth--That present quarters of engine
compan.- No. II be sold and the moneJ
used for the purchase of lot near Sew
enth and Union Avenue, on which a new
house be built.
Sixth--That house b built on the lot
owned by the city at Forty-fourth ann
Main streets.
Building Laws
Laws governing moving picture the
aters are inadequate.
The number of these theaters are in
creasing and there is constant danger
OF great loss of life. 1t is my recon-
mendation tat the city attorney. II he
has not already begun work in this di
rection, be instructed to prepare an or
dinance which will insure safety for the
patrons of these theaters.
The ordinance. in my opinion. should
not only be drawn to apply to these
theaters. but to dance halls and other
places OF amusement as well.
Police department
The standard of efficiency In the police
department is higher than it has ever
been. Work of its members, every rank
included, Is to be highly commended.
Los Angeles is being cared for by a
smaller force of men, according to its
size and population, than any city in the
country, and in better way. A pro-
porIionate increase of the numerical
strength of the force is needed to take
care of the city's growth, but this can
not be expected until the revenue Of the
city is increased.
The city electrician of Berkeley is ex-
perimentins with a device based on he
wireless telegraph systems, through
which he hopes to be able to install a
small plant at headquarters which will
enable him to transmit signals to officers
wherever stationed, the signals being re-
ceVed in small metal receiver which
can be carried In the pocket or worn in
the helmet. Such system would give
an ideal police signal service. Trustees
of Berkeley have appropriated several
hundred dollars for the experimental
work. which is being watched with in
terest.
Until the plan fails or comes up to the
hopes of the inventor we should not take
any steps toward changing our present
telegraph system.
Park Department
Los Angeles is far behind the times
in the matter of boulevards. and our city
is the one which needs them the most.
They should be talked about even If
they cannot be constructed Immediately.
If proper interest is taken by municipal
officers and philosophical citizens in
terested, W the city is financially pre-
pared to lay out such a boulevard system
as 1t needs everything will be In readi- |
ness for the work to begin.
What is needed Immediately is boule |
ward connecting Elysian and Griffith |
parks. The park commission is working |
on such plan and Is hopeful of carrying |
II out
During the year Charles milford Rob- |
inson has designed great civic improve.
ments for tho city, dealing prinldpal'y |
with the business section. These vans
are before W ar body and would sug-
kest that as soon as feasible your body |
take favorable action.
Our park system, while being second |
in area of any city in the country, the |
larger part of 1t is not easily accessible |
to the general public.
The sixth and seventh wards, which |
comprise a very large area of the city. |
are rapidly being congested and / would