Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-15
QUERIES NOMINEES
ON HARBOR QUESTION
Candidates of Various Parties Asked
Whether They Are with South
ern Pacific or with the
People

The Municipal waterways associa
ton intends to put all legislative nomi
nees on record as to their standing re
garding a free harbor at San Pedro.
Joseph II. Call, president of the as
sociation, has addressed the following
letter to the nominees;
The Municipal Waterways association
desires to communicate with you upon two
subjects of public concern. The first is
the proposed act of the legislature author
izing the annexation and Joinder of con-
tiguous and nearby cities to the city OF
Los Angeles to be governed under the free
hold charter of the latter, and also author
izing the consolidation of city and county
governments Of such consolidated cities
upon petition and affirmative vote of
majority of the electors of the city OF
Los Angeles and of the cities and terri
tory annexed and consolidated.
There Is no law at present authorizing
the consolidation of city and county gov
ernment
There Is statute in force authorizing
the consolidation of contiguous cities by
vote of the inhabitants of each, which con-
solidated tcity will be governed under the
general Incorporation laws Of the state,
but there is no law authorizing the annexa-
ton consolidation with the city of Los
Angeles of contiguous nearby cities by
the vote of each, to be governed under the
freehold charter of Los Angeles. 1t is not
probable, we think, that the people Of Los
Angeles will ever consent to give up their
freehold charter. although they desire
authority to annex contiguous and nearby
cities in this county by vote of the inhabi-
tants to be governed under the freehold
charter, which is considered of supreme
and controlling Importance
The plan of this association for con-
solidation act was indorsed by the recent
Republican county convention Of this
county and also by the recent Democratic
county convention.
The purposes of such enabling act are to
reduce the expenses of administration OF
government and also to place under the
control of the greater city the harbor of
San Pedro and Wilmington and such other
waterfront as may be brought into the
city, In order that such harbors may be
improved and in order that docks may be
constructed for municipal purposes
1t is a notorious fact that at the present
time for the present and increasing COM
merce there is no state, municipal or public
dock upon deep water anywhere on the coast
of Los Angeles county, and that freight by
water is generally shipped through the port
of San Diego to this city.
The s4,000.000 expended by the United
States at San Pedro will be of no benefit
to the half million inhabitants of Los An
geles county unless followed up by the
construction OF public or municipal docks.
Within the last few days the transpor-
tation lines have put into force a tariff
upon freight from foreign countries to
terminal points upon the Pacific coast, in
cluding Seattle, Portland, San Francisco.
Los Angeles and San Diego, and these
tariffs establish a differenitial of 81 per
ton against Los Angeles and in favor of
the other places mentioned. This alone
is a fearful handicap against manufac-
turers, jobbers and shippers of Los An
geles county.
The transcontinental railroads are trans
porting to and from Los Angeles county
over a million tons of freight per year
which is of that character which in the
east and in all civilized countries of the
world is transported by water, and yet We
are paying on an average Of over S2o per
ton for rail transportation of this freight
which ought to be handled according to the
rates in force on other freight between
other cities connected by water at not over
IS per ton, or in other words, we are be-
ing forced to contribute something like
$50, 900 600 a year to the railroads for want
OF public docks where freight can be
handled by water
This association desires to be informed
in order that II may place the information
before it's members and associated civic
organizations, whether not you are in
favor and will assist in securing the pass
age of an act Of the legislature authoriz-
ing the annexation and joinder to the city
of Los Angeles Of contiguous and nearby
cities and intervening territory In the
county of Los Angeles, to be governed
under the freeholders charter of Los An
geles, which may become effective when
ever a majority of the qualified voters OF
such territory city and county of Los An
geles respectively shall vote in favor there
Of, and further authorizing the consolida-
tion Of city and county government in
such territory embraced in such consoli-
dated cities, when desired by the inhabi-
tants.
The second subject we desire your views
upon relates to a scheme frequently mem
toned In the press, of establishing a state
harbor board (appointed by the governor)
for the control of San Pedro harbor (outer
and inner bays). giving such harbor board
control over all wharves, channels and
other improvements now constructed or to
be constructed in the bay and Its tidal
waters.
Are you In favor of giving Los Angeles
control of her own harbor, or do you fa-
vor placing its control in a board ap-
pointed by the governor?
We will esteem 1t favor If you will
fully and frankly express your position in
regard to these important measures.