Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-03
MAYORS RECALL
MEANS MUCH TO
CITY'S FINANCES
INTEGRITY OF MUNICIPALITY
is AT STAKE
ALExANDER's RETURN WILL
PROTECT AouEDUcT
Prominent Citizen Says Millions of
Outside Capital VIII Be Invested
II "Honest George Is
Elected
k6r OS ANGELES has at stake

n AIO 114N A1l~N1 iiaSo CT SNofh~
III the recall election the
- investment here of sew
eral million dollars in the near
future, and, more than that, the
very credit of the city," said a
business man yesterday afternoon
who has offices i'll the Security
building. Il signed the recall pc
tition because | know this to be a
fact, and think it a most serious
condition if there is any doubt as
to the election of Alexander.
"The papers have had considerable
IN cav about Investment here by the
Insurance companies, which is most
significant financial milestone. a rev
days ago The Herald told of the IN
vestment by an eastern insurance coIh-
oanv Of s150. 600 in Los Angeles water
bonds. That would have been impos-
sible up to two years ago. 1t was made
possible only through the fact that an
Investigation yielded great commence
In the ability of the men who are Ill
recting the construction of the aque-
duct-Mulholland and Lippincott-to
make good with work that VIII keep
unusual investment for a conservative
insurance company to make, especially
in bonds Of a far western city. 1t speaks
most highly In favor OF Los Angeles.
.'Now a highly important fact in this
connection was only touched on Hsht-
ly by the papers so far as | observed
the matter at the time That was the
attempt to oust Mr.. Lippincott by the
smooth scheme of highly technical
and college graduate examination be
fore the civil service commission. The
proposal was so insulting when 1t came
out that could hardly believe 1t. Think
of the preposterous idea of a man VINO
is on the job night and day, making
good every minute on a $23, 600 prop
osition and bringing the water down
over the desert and through the noun
tain as Mulholland and Lippincott are
doing. being asked to pass an exanl-
ination on purely theoretical and prob
ably useless phases OF engineering!
Herald Smashed the Plot
'.I tell you that was nothing more
nor less than the first step In getting
rid of man who never would consent
TO make the aqueduct construction
matter of $60,000,000 cost when they
were able to do it for one-third OF that.
And the crusade started by The Her.
aid lust at that moment, happen 10
know, caused the smashing of that lit
tie plot.
''Now this integrity. this ability to
keep below the engineers estimates re-
fiected to advantage on the commercial
integrity of the city because eastern,
men, who carefully investigated. de-
cided there was a city capable of 1ni-
tiating tremendous things and of carry
ing them to completion in an honor
able manner and without the stain or
graft. Hence, as with an individual,
the likelihood of a market value at par
prevailing on our, water bonds was
largely estimated by the way we tack
led the job.
s'But before the recall movement took
form there were men who Influenced In
vestment in Los Angeles who felt
everything was not tending right; that
the Influences which might affect the
construction and operation of the aque
duct and it's byproducts did not repre-
sent the fine spirit which conceived Sc
curing so adequate source of water
supply. and, in brief, confidence was
somewhat shaken. This was before the
recall movement came about; 1t was
due purely to feeling that something
was not right: no doubt the same feei-
ing which actuated the men who have
brought about the recall movement.
sJust at this time we are standing
at the gate of a most wonderful oppor-
tunity. Los Angeles is becoming known
for many things which speak achieve
ment. We have grown most wonder
fully; everybody seems to know thai.
Now, being born grown up, we can
take hold and do things. Engineers who
are familiar with the beginnings of our
aquedl~ct work marvel at the thorough
ness of the investigation into all possi-
BILE sources OF water supply and the
scope of their consideration. That was
part of the job; and the job as a whole
affects. as it is done, our financial rep
utation.
Careful Watch Must Be Kept
Even a very few>years ago our rep
ntation was not nearly up to the
standard which influenced the eastern
company to purchase the water bonds.
What we have gained up the hill may
easily be lost by acknowledgement of
authority
This is not question of saloon
here and there or why the foreign voter
should be arrayed against the rest Of
the city--it is Infinitely beyond that.
The election March 26 is only an Incl
dent; its effect should stand for years
in the future to warn all who may be
tempted not to trife with our integrity
or our credit. and not to let their
friends trifie.
1.-THE success of the recall is certain,
IL seems to me. But there ought at this
opportunity to be an awakening of
public sentiment that will leave no
doubt as to the ability and the desire
of Los Angeles to handle her affaiis
honestly and actively. 1t will be q
tremendous advertisement for the city;
not only that, but 1t means the plac-
ing here of several millions of dollars
through investment of the highest
TYNE. If we bungle this aqueduct pro-
iect we lose more than the money di-
verted through it to pockets Of polit.-
clans. There is no lack of evidence to
show what the mayor or those who
control him would do with the city's
birthright in this connection. And
there is no doubt az to whether or
not George Alexander. II made mayor,