Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-05-30

can get representation in the Santa
Monica council. always facing the un-
certainty of getting it then.
1.-THE citizens of Ocean Park have faith
in their city. They believe it has a
great future before it, and they know
that the attainment of this future
will necessitate the issuance of bonds.
Yet from the attitude of Santa Moni-
cas- citizens toward taxes, we are GER
tain that no bonds would be voted for
improvements in the present city of
ocean Park"
Fears Increase in Expense
w. l. Hull. a prominent merchant of
the north side, and one of the leaders
of the opposition to consolidation, SAID;
THE claim that consolidation would
bring about a more economical city
government sounds plausible, but When
examined in the light of actual local
conditions is found to be fallacious. The
facts are that the important and ex-
pensve departments of police. Streets
lights, fire and sewage would cost us
much more for maintenance IN the an
nexed territory than they would con-
tribute to its support
This movement is under the leader
ship of the same men who have several
times attempted to divide the city OF
Santa Monica, and who tried to dlsln-
corporate the city of Ocean Park after
they lost their political control. They
are now trying to consolidate the two
cities, with the same object they nave
always had in view. the advancement,
of their own political business affairs"
J. G. steele, justice of the peace. Tor
mer postmaster and member of the city
council, said:
Il am opposed to consolidation be-
cause the trick that is being attempted
is against the best interests of every
citizen of Santa Monica. [ am against
It because there is not one good reason
for consolidation. The advocates of
the measure preach that the annexa-
tion of this entire beach to Los Angeles
is manifest destiny and that we VIII
be a part of Los Angeles within very
few years That being true, then why
should we disturb present conditions
for an untried and expensive expert
ment that could not be expected to last
through more than three or four years
at most.
Objects to Consolidation
J. ]. Seymour. former president OF
the board of trade and one of the anti
consolidation committee, said:
I'm broad sense, looking to the fu-
ture, / believe consolidation TO De
against the best interests of both cltles
and that it, would tend to hamper their
proper development. Santa Monica Is
destined to be the choicest residence
suburb of Los Angeles. Her only pos
sible growth lies in that direction
Ocean Park lies nearer to Los Angeles
than the other beaches, and is equally
destined to be Los Angeles principal
| beach resort. In that way lies her fu-
ture extension.
"The ultimate absorption of the en-
tire beach district by Los Angeles is
manifest destiny Let us then remain
free to consolidate with Los Angeles as
the residence borough of Los Angeles
! including Sawtelle, if she so desires
and leave ocean Park unllampered &c
do as she may please"
L. B. Goodrich, large property own
err of the north side of Santa Monica
! and emphatic in his opposition TO the
proposition, said:
ITO my mind there are many reasons
why consolidation in this case ana al
| this time is not for the best interests OF
| our bay cities. l have never known OF
| a town or city with two business cen
! ters to work in harmony. In this case
we would have three, each pulling WIZ
| Jealous pride for its own district. the
neople of neither Ocean Park nor Sahts
! Monica have asked for consolldatloh.
!