Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-27
CLEAR, CRISP AND CLEAN
DR.. JEKYLL AND MR.. HYDE

HoVERNOR GILLETT is we'll aware
NT that the Southern Pacific Railroad
~ company, in contempt of public
opinion and in subversion of public
policy, is planning an increase in tariff
rates in the northern Los Angeles
county district. He is also aware that
it is stated on good authority and that
it appears to be a fact that the rate OF
increase proposed in that district ranges
from 5 to 20 per cent, and that at the
minimum figure it will cause a per-
ceptihie and important increase in the
construction cost of the Los Angeles
aqueduct, while at the maximum figure
1t will upset every calculation that has
been made and impose a huge and I'M
foreseen tax upon the resources that
are to be devoted to the most impor-
tant public enterprise of recent times.
If he should investigate the matter
he would find that the aqueduet work
will be affected most by the rate to
Lancaster, as freight for the Fairmont
and Elizabeth lake tunnel work there
takes several cars monthly, and the
number will be increased steadily. He
can easily supply himself with many
other details which are all pertinent to-
his inquiry, anu he will be led newt
ably and irresistibly to the conclusion
that a gouge tariff is being prepared
and that the railroad corporation to-
which is entrusted an important re-
sponsibility in a great public work Is
about to SHAKE THE PUBLIC
PLUM TREE!
According to Mayor Harper the in
crease will chit the city hard 1t is
obvious, therefore. that the Southern
Pacific intends to take advantage of
the city's urgency and necessity, and
to 'hit" it. To hit is to strike. Strike,
hit and gouge are all unpleasant words
to use in connection with any transac-
ton, but they are peculiarly and par
ticularly ugly when they imply desire
to overreach. not private patron, but
the public.
As for Governor Gillett, what does
he intend to do about it? "A little
more slumher, a little more sleep,
little more folding of hands" Is that
the program? The governors inertia
is not necessarily a characteristic of
this official. He acted with prompti-
tude, decision and precision and with Il
speed that hardly allowed time for
wedging in a protest, in the case of
Warden Yell, whom he dismissed from
office in despite of an unblemished rec
ord of diligence. honesty and efficiency.
Are we to be forced, most reluctantly,
to believe that our governor allows his
zeal to become excessive when he is
dealing with an individual from whom
he cannot expect resistance or retalia-
tion that win affect his prospects, while
he hesitates 20 invoke the legal agen-
cies that could reBake a power whose
dispIeasure might perhaps imperil the
continued success and progress of his
political career?
Duty should De preferred over any
private interests, inclinations or timid-
titles. and indeed duty must be preferred
if the governor is to be faithful to his
oath of office. If the governor cannot
avail himself of interposition by the
attorney general or the railroad COM
rnissioners to thwart the proposed raid
ON the treasury of that vast public
undertaking, the aqueduct, then let him
assert himself in an Official protest,
uttered or written in behalf of the
people Of the state of California, AMI
particularly the Taxpayers of the met
ropolitan area and county of Los An
geles. Governor GilIett twiddling his
thumbs and nodding in a corner when
the common veal is menaced; Governor
Gillett aroused to mastery activity
and Rooseveltian energy by the mere
mention of the name and Office Of
warden Yell-truly contrast that sug-
gests the Strange Case Of DR.. Jeklyll
and Mr.. Hyde.
Moderu athletics coin words of fear