Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-25

w thusiasm for consolidation at
W the meeting in that city last
night which was extremely en-
couraging to the friends Of
free harbor The determination which
initiated the appropriation Of $lOO' 900
for harbor improvement by town OF
1000 population and which held out
firmly against the influence of the cor
porations was evident throughout the
meeting at Banning hall in Wilmington
last night.
A crowd met the Los Angeles delega-
tion at the Pacific Electric station, ana
the meeting was begun rs soon as they
could reach the hall Nearly lOO per-
sons were at the meeting.
Capt. A. A. Fries, Joseph Scott and
other speakers took occasion to com
pliment the spirit of Wilmington, as
demonstrated many times since the
early history of that city, and because
of that spirit to express their confidence
that Wilmington will cast an over
whelming majority for consolldauon
August 4.
Wilmington is Enthusiastic
Wilmington applauded this sentiment,
and at numerous opportunities in the
course of the meeting showed strong
enthusiasm for consolidation. The
points made by the speakers which
drew the greatest applause were those
relating to the possibilities of the har-
Dor through the cooperative effort OF
the three cities directly interested in
its development.
II have great faith in Wilmington;
it is city that has a reputation for
being on the right side" said Captain
Fries "The longer I talk the more L
can bring out instances when VIII
mington has taken the right stand.
"I have been for consolidation ever
since I came here. l never could see
any other hope for the harbor except
through consolidation. And | can't
think anything else than that the peo-
pie of Wilmington will cast their votes
four to one for consolidation. Thls
question means much to Wilmington.
If consolidation fails values of your
property will drop back to what they
were five years ago.
Wilmington Set the Pace
wilmington set the pace in harbor
improvement and development or the
water front For thirty years never
shovelful of dirt was lifted until you
began your municipal work. Then the
city of Los Angeles instituted the tide
lands suits in the courts. After these
moves, work began at Mormon island
not before.
"Now, if you go it alone, what can
you do? Another board of trustees or
this city of the sixth class, differing
from the present board, could give
away everything you've got for ten,
twenty-one, perhaps fifty years. II
you did have money enough to COM
pletely improve your thirty-seven acres
you might not keep it single year.
1t is a protection you want that is
available under the charter of Los
Angeles.
"a word about my successor, Lieu
tenant Leeds. He is an able man, who
is thoroughly conversant with the har-
Dor situation. He was in the harbor
lines fight, in which we were aided by
Wilmington in the sending of repre-
sentative of the city to Washington. |
You can depend on Lieutenant Leeds |
You can also depend on that staunch
friend of the harbor, d. e. Hughes, a
man worthy of highest trust. Last year
he put nearly $500 of his own money
into gathering harbor information of
general value. There is no one con-
nected with the engineers office at
Los Angeles or San Pedro who will not
be found a friend to the harbor cities.
Chance Open for Labor
1.-THE question of labor and wages is
in great part question of the amount |
of work to be done. If work is plen-
tiful, wages will be better; that will be
the case when the consolidated city |
goes at construction of the harbor."
Stoddard Jess, chairman of the Los |
Angeles committee, also answered the |
objection made that wages would be |
uncertain if the municipality is al |
lowed to develop the harbor, referring |
to it as a statement evidencing on it's |
face that it was put forward by some |
one with selfish motives.
DO you think" asked Mr.. Jess, "if |
Los Angeles comes in here to spend
millions there will be less doing than
at the present time? The impetus to
be given will make a market for labor
now little dreamed Of"
Mr.. Jess also took up other assertions
made to prejudice votes against con-
such as the question of ter
ninal rates, the Owens river indebted
less and other bugbears. Referring to
slurs on the character of the Los An
yeles city government, he asserted with
some warmth that no city in the land
could boast of any better government
l statement which the audience ap-
)lauded heartily.
Arguments Are Answered
City Attorney Hewitt and Joseph
Scott also answered in detail argu-
nents raised by i-consolidationists.
Mr.. Scott roundly denounced argu-
nents made in the nature Of threats to
influence voters to vote against con-
"There are three things destined to