Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-24

that in spite of their earnest efforts
they had not succeeded in handing this
franchise to Mr.. Gilmore, a special
meeting was called for the Wednesday
following, March 2S, 1906. Meantime a
hurried call had been sent for Mayor
McAleer, who was out of the city, and
for Councilman Smith, who was away
on leave of absence. Those who sent
for these two persons were Los Angeles
citizens who opposed the granting of
the franchise and believed that neither
Smith nor McAleer would favor it.
Public sentiment had been aroused to
fever heat, and when the council gath
cred for the special session the cham
bEr was filed with prominent citizens
who were there to protest against
granting the franchise. Sprinkled here
and there among the audience were
lobbyists of the Southern Pacific. It
had been definitely decided that the
franchise was either for H. E. Hunting
ton or E. H. Hartman.
At this special meeting the franchise
was granted by a vote of to 1. But
this was not done until some of the
most prominent citizens of Los Ange-
les had condemned the grant. They
intimated that a sufficient number Of
the councilmen had been purchased to
put this franchise through. They dared
the council to vote for it and thus prove
it had been bribed.
The council chamber was filled and
the council was little reluctant to
vote while all those accusing eyes were
on it. So a bluff was tried.
HoughtOn moved that the minutes
OF the previous meeting, at which it
had been declared the franchise was
granted, be amended so as to show it
was lost by a vote of 5 to 2. It was
then moved the proceedings be filed.
This was the bluff. 1t was intended
that the visiting citizens should gather
the idea that the whole matter had
been disposed of by the filing and leave
the council chamber. To deepen this
impression the minute clerk went on
with some unimportant matters. But
the visitors were not bluffed. Not one
moved from his seat or the position he
had assumed while standing. All knew
that council too well.
Houghton's Bluff Fails
When the council saw that the little
bluff did not work they determined to
brazen it out A document was laid
on the clerks desk by Mr.. Gilmore's
attorney 1t was a copy of the fran
chise ordinance.
The clerk read the introduction and
then Harmon, who at the previous
meeting nau VOLed against 1t, arose ana
declared that since the last meeting a
new light had broken on him. He had
been informed by a reliable authority,
he said, that the franchise was intend
ed for transcontinental railroad. He
moved that the franchise be granted.
This motion brought out statements
from 0. E. Parish, w. J. Washburn, j.
O. Koepfii, G. d. Willard, Meyer Liss-
ner, Marshal Stimson and other, which
did not reflect much credit on the coun-
ell. They were outspoken in their de-
nunciation of the franchise and the
gum shoe methods adopted to secure it.
Then President Pro Tenn Blanchard
ordered the roll CALL Blanchard, Ford,
Harmon, Hitler, Healy Houghton and
Kern voted for the franchise.
Eight ayes, no noes" announced
Minute Clerk Wilde.
mot So" said Councilman Smith. IT
have not yet voted and 1 want to be
recorded as voting no. This franchise
may be for a transcontinental line, as
has been represented but I want to
convince myself of it first. I have not
investigated this matter and, there
fore, 1 will vote against it,"
Then outraged public sentiment be-
gan to crystalline and recall move
Inents were begun in nearly every