Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-15
Southern CaHtornia'S Defense
Against "Equ6LSatiOn" Robbery

Aced so shameful injustice upon of Southern Cali
fona will that incident that he as raised OLD
watch" that will surprise and probably
terrify, him as well as some of his constituents.
the board Of equalization the result of effort the
part the Southern PachcRepubcan political machine
FTo get with the citizens of Angeles particular
other citizens of Southern California generally because those
citizens ad the manhood and selesPec assert de-
gree of independence of the control of that machine and
SecondTo favor the city and county of San Francisco which
the Southern Pacific has always played avote against the har
Dor cities of Southern California
Two have they constituted
noorousy subject to the control OF the Southern Pacific machine
That machine has always taken special election fill
the majority of places both the board of equalization and
the state railroad commission with creatures OF its whom
could depend sevy do its bidding The present board
of equalization is no exception to the rule.
The gentlemen who constitute the majority of it. and by whose
votes resolution recently passed whose intention
Los Angeles city and selected by the Southern Pa
fc political machine operating the infamous
the Southern Pacific machine through the of Boss Ruef
Mayor Schmitz which worthless he took that convention his
Since the Southern Pacific company existence
and water transpor{ton to cenz the Of the Pacific
San Francisco and by doing deprive other seaport
cities of the coast of their proper share of commerce
In following this plan has refused the harbors of
Diego and San Pedro apors Of call for its vessels engaged in
Pacific between San Francisco and the Istms
Panama.
It has invested millions developing terminals and
proving its facilities San Francisco where has invested thou
sands in Los Angeles and other cities.
only one cent to the increasing
traffic but every that the friends have
succeeded in getting from the United States has
over the protest and against the influence of the South
by which it has established done everything
possible to cater the wholesale business Francisco
incidentally against that class of business every city
that port
The fact that today goods shipped points on the South
Pacific lines Arizona and New Mexico cheapy
the latter city 400 miles than Francisco merely
instance and illustration of the which
has followed consistently during all of its existence.
This great corporation and the political machine which main
ns resent most bitterly the independence which the people of
in
shameless favorsm toward San Francisco OF which Angeles
a victim
One word Mr. Herrn the chief of the Southern Pacific
machine by whose grace oy equaza
ton hold their positions would have prevented the outrage
that majority has recently inflicted upon Southern California
Nay 1t plain every who has any knowledge
Of political conditions this state that this majority would have
dared take the action which they did without knowing advance
that the matter would meet the approval of the Southern Pacific
majority the state board of equalization will
probably cost the taxpayers Southern California something but
opportunity to assert their power and independence which will be
worth many times the cost
the expenditure the million dollars which asked
in the issue OF state harbor bonds that be submitted the
election Francscos
suffering for lack of adequate improvements If that city
Panama canal great Improvements handling
mere must be entered upon and completed before the canal is
AS the harbor is board only
state furnish money for its improvement From other
can the money be obtained
The Southern Pacific company and incidentally its political
chine only desires this improvement of San Franccos habor
for the accommodation OF the business OF the Southern Pacific COM
but has urged in possible within its
Fortunately the Angeles dependent upon
aid for the improvement OF its harbo the harbor controlled
ey by the city by virtue of the provisions of its charter The city
has full provide all funds the
its harbor and the has voice that
Furthermore the charter of the city of Los Angeles
be changed amended action Of the legislature
by the majority of the citizens of Los An
gees impossible for the voice in
the development of Los Angeles harbor
The Herald has liking for sectional disputes has regarded
disappointment dsavor the action of of the
papers and citizens of San Francisco endeavong foment
spirit unworthy and selfish rivalry between the two places But
Southern Pacific machine in its friendship for San
Francisco enmity the city of Los Angeles particular
Southern California general has forced the ISSUE The Her
aid believes in meeting that issue squarey
that end believe that convention should be held of
rentatve all California counties that
suffer by the dishonest majority Of the board equal
that should take action pledge the
of the unanimously extension
any form any city represented by the
board equalization who have shown themselves
L. AZ 1rctt1a at1dc cactnn