Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-08
NEEDED CHANGES
OF LEGISLATION
UNDER DEBATE
LAWMAKERS IN COUNCIL AT
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Right of Los Angeles Under Freehold
ers' Charter to Consent to Annex.
alton of Other Cities keeny
Discussed

what Los Angeles wants is nothing more
than a fair deal--the privilege enjoyed by
other cities of annexation and consolidation
to allow any two cities to become united
for the benefit of both "-Statement OF A. r.
Fleming, secretary of the harbOr commission
The lawmakers of Southern Califor-
mia, who four weeks from today will
meet in Sacramento for the opening
session of the legislature, assembled
this morning in the rooms of the cham
Der of commerce in response to an in
Vitation extended by the board of COM
merce, to discuss proposed legislation
pertaining to the interests of South
ern California.
AS has been the custom for several
years, the public of Los Angeles and
the surrounding country is invited to
attend, discuss and present to the legis-
lators any ideas and suggestions that
may aid and better the civic and eco
nomic conditions of this territory.
At the opening of the session Assem-
blyman Richard MelroSe of Anaheim
was chosen chairman, and Senator
Newton w. Thompson of Alhambra
was elected secretary.
The morning session was featured
by the appearance of A. p. Fleming,
secretary of the harbor commission.
who made a, strong plea for what he
termed city and county consolidation.
Mr. Fleming was besieged with queS-
tions as to his object, and also as to
the position that the harbor commits
sion took in the matter of legislative
reforms. He said:
at should be authorized under the
laws of the state that the city of Los
Angeles, under its freeholders' char
ter should consent to the annexation
of cities and towns in Los Angeles
county, whether incorporated or unln-
corporated, and be governed by the
freehold charter of Los Angeles city"
Senator w. II. Savage of San Pedro
took issue with Mr.. Fleming as to what
was the object and purpose of the
harbor commission. During the con-
troversy Mr.. Fleming stated that Las
Angeles business men intended to get
access to the sea, if canal had to be
built through San Pedro. The discus
sion on this point occupied the morn
ing session and when the meeting was
reconvened at 2 o'clock Milton X.
Young of the Municipal Waterways
association addressed the body. Mr..
Young dwelt on the cost of transpor-
tation at present between San Pedro
and Los Angeles, which, he said, could
be materially lessened by the CONSOLE
dation of city and county government.
This brought out lively debate.
Piled with Questions
Senator Henry M. Willis of Red
lands. Assemblymen p A. Stanton and
J. p. Transue took part in the discus
sion and piled Mr.. Young with ques-
tions. Mr.. Young admitted that just
what bill was required had not been
decided, but said that this would be
done in ample time so that each mem
Der of the legislature would be able to
study it.
Questions were hurled at Mr.. Young
80 rapidly that he finally said: ut
seems to me as though there was
prearranged and secret opposition 20
nv plan.S This statement brought half
the assembly to it's feet and Secretary
Thompson, gaining the floor, said: 1T
is not my intention to cateehlse or
enter into anything secret in TINS mat
ter"
Senator Willis expressed the same
sentiment and Mr.. Young apologlzed'
Mr.. Young said: 1.-THE commission
and the association are practically the
same. The association is much broader
in its scope, but their aims are lden-
tical--to secure legislation that VIII
benefit Los Angeles"
Governor Gosper then addressed the
body on the same subject, saying only
legislation that would be beneficial and
not subservient to selfish motives was
desired.
Mr.. Fleming again addressed the