Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-05
DEMAND PLEDGE
BE CARRIED OUT
S. p. REMINDED FORCIBLY OF
DEPOT STIPULATION
PROMISE TO BUILD NEW ARCADE
STATION IGNORED
&C. Calvin Asked to Tell Los Angeles
What Imperial Valley Troubles
Have to Do with Grant
on Fifth Street
,onnt,nund FROM Pnre one,

(Oontinuad from Page One1
nothing in the way of actual accom-
plishment can ever be expected These
are strong words-they may not be
handled with a gloved diplomatic hand,
as was your carefully arranged, mean
ingless reply. But they fit the situation.
"As was stated to President Harri-
man in the original communication, the
expenditure in Imperial valley by the
Southern Pacific company and Harrl-
mans statement at the chamber oil
commerce meeting that he would build
the depot as outlined when the Impe-
rial valley expenditures were returned
by the government, have no connection
with the matter at all, and your com
pany knows 1t as well as do the people
of Los Angeles, every one OF WnoHl,
so far as your committee knows, IS OF
the opinion that the refund should De
made In adverting to the Imperial
valley matter, you speak of the benefit
that the people of Los Angeles receive
from the development of that section,
but even granting that, is 1t to be as
sumed that the Southern Pacific com
pany had not a single thought OF It's
own interests when it entered that FER
tile valley and expended great sums
OF money to maintain It's interests
therein?
"As to your policy of retrenchment,
limitation of expenditures and also ex-
cuses under the plea of the San Fran
cisco fire several years since, these
these things also are beside the ques-
tion, as you clearly know.
Statement Is Remarkable
"But the most remarkable effort to
cover up the situation is your state
ment, and we quote IL literally:
"'WhIle this ordinance took immediate
effect. as n matter OF law, still II had no
practical effect, and will have none untli
the new depot is constructed for the reason
that is 1t necessary TO allow the public the
full use of this portion of East Fifth street
until tho same If occupied by new building
as IL L. the only means of access 10 the
present depot. The public, therefore, by
the vacation of East Fifth street, has not
lost any benefit enjoyed from the existence
OF such n street, and VIII not 10 so ""t'
the depot IL constructed
you must have indeed smiled all
over yourself, Mr.. calvin, when you
penned that statement, for you know
and your company knows that, while
YOU may permit a person or persons
from time TO time to walk, ride or
drive over that property, that II has
been handed over to you absolutely by
the city of Los Angeles and that yon
possess IL with all the rights and pow
tIS Ol a ~ NOiA9hANNNNt
that Is to say. a purchaser by regula-
ton deed-and if your company desired
II might erect an impossible barrier
across the west line of the property,
prohibiting every manner OF use by the
public. 1t is not enough to say that
the company could not afford to do
this. 1t certainly has the power so to
do and you know 1t.
Word Should Be Kept
''The mayor of Los Angeles, the Hon.
George Alexander and Leslie r.
Hewitt, city attorney, have, as you
know, also endeavored to impress upon
your company that you do something
at this late hour to at least approx
nately keep your word-in this sense
7 mean the companys word-for, as a
matter of course, you simply carry out
its orders. But no attention has been
paid in practical way to these direct
representatives of our city, as nothing
whatever that is material has been
made in response to any other com
plaint since the property was ceded--
and you know they have been many
"You also state in your reply that
YOU will take pleasure in recommend
ing that our petition be given as favor
able consideration as possible under the
circumstances. This, please bear In
mind again, was written by you more
than six months since. Assuming tnat
YOU have made such recommendation
have you any information to give out
as to why this promise has been vio-
lated? Do not consume your valuable
time in dispatching to us additional
persifage. What are going to do?
"It is not necessary for your commit
tee to forward you a photograph of
your old ramshackle building. mem
ace alike to life and limb, as you no
doubt have been fully impressed with
all the conditions under that head"