Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-13
WOMAN BELIEVES PUBLIC
UTILITIES ARE MISMANAGED

HIGHLAND PARK. Aug. 9.-[Editor
Herald: The sun has its spots and
even the lustrous administration of
Mayor Alexander and his reform asso-
ciates, which. of course, we greatly adj
mire, has it's deficiencies. 1t seems
that various city ordinances have been
interpreted and executed rather arbi-
trarily.
Several residents OF the northern
section of Highland Park were having
hard time on Friday, July 8, when
in the neighborhood Of o'clock a. m.
Ia time when the water supply is most
needed by the housekeeper), and with
out previous announcement, the water
was cut off. Late breakfasts were, of
course, impossible, and no preparations
could be made for a MONDAY meal. The
writer personally experienced severe
jar to her sense of hospitality when
she had to turn away without even
cup of tea two family friends who had
arrived that day from the Atlantic
seaboard. The water was not turned
on until after 10 o'clock. When COM
plant was made to the water depart
ment the official in charge diplomat
ically barricaded himself behind a city
ordinance, which discharged the de-
partment of any compulsion or even
obligation to give a preliminary an
nouncement. In this connection we
may state that the water is turned off
for repairs on the water main. such
an ordinance, entirely ignoring the
comfort of taxpayers seems unneces-
sarily to give an arbitrary authority
to the water department and might
we'll be revised.
While in q critical mood, II might be
we'll to speak of other apparently
trihing but really exasperating matters
connected with the administration of,
more especially, the northern section
of Garvanza or Highland Park. At a
certain point here it is necessary to
carry off the water of a running stream
by way of the gutter on Fayette street
This would give rather picturesque
effect, and would be all right, If cross
ings had been provided for Such are
needed not only at the south. end of
Neva place, but also where Fayette
street Is crossed by Philadelphia, New
York, Buchanan and Milwaukee
streets.
Tropical vegetation is very good
and edifying thing in its own place.
There is somewhere a city ordinance,
stating that owners of lots, whether
| improved or not, are bound to clear
away the weeds on their property. The
way matters look, though, it appears
that the funeral of this ordinance mas
been celebrated. Just imagine any
| one trying TO lOEC6 MS way "aA AON5lt
these primeval forests growing on both
sides Of the cement pavement of Fay
cite street, especially from Branch
street to Philadelphia avenue. lie
will surely do so at the risk of the
"spick and spanness" of his attire.
| There is apparently nothing to stop the
opulent growth of undesirable Vege-
tation on lots, even when improved py
houses.
OF course. laws and city ordinances
are intended to be very elastic. but,
being a law-abiding citizen, I would
like to call the attention or the city
council to this condition of things.
And now the eternal gas question! A
bright future was promised us by the
Los Angeles Gas & Electric company.
TO take effect at the very latest by
the middle of April but alas! prom
ises were vain, and practically given
for the only purpose of excluding the
competition of the Peoples Gas & Coke
company. This purpose has been at
tained, and there is now no particular
hurry about the fulfillment OF the given
promise. Conditions are about as BAD
as they can be in the section or high
land Park not yet blessed with gas
pipes. Now, Just suppose that--as hap
pened to the writer-visitors from dis-
| tant parts should come to our beloved
eitv 1iustlv STYLED by our late guests,
the Elks-"The Lady of the Decora-
TONY and when they ask for bread
comes the answer. I'VE cannot ieeu
you-blame 1t on His Majesty the Gas
Company"
1t would surely try the patience OF
lob TO see the offhand and absolutely
unjustif1 able way in which the people
of this part of the city have been
treated by the gas company.
EMMA ABIGAIL SMITH.