Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-01
VOTERS OF PORT
FAVOR PROJECT
CONSOLIDATION ARGUMENTS
CONVINCING
OBVIOUS ADVANTAGES APPEAL
TO ALL CLASSES
Work of Committees Begins to Tell In
Changing Opinions of Doubters
and Swinging Citizens
Into Line

SAN PEDRO, July 31.-The effect of
this weeks consolidation rally has been
/ far-reaching. Many voters here who
have seriously been debating in their
own minds the momentous question un-
doubtedly have been convinced that the
merger must be of great benefit to all.
The opportunity of this port, When
freed from threatened railroad control,
was SO limned in the word picture of
Lee c. Gates after the appalling price
to the consumers of Southern Califor-
MIA" was shown by the figures quoted
by Joseph II. Call that it was impossi-
BILE for any honest doubter to fail to see
the great opportunities.
The question of increased taxes has
been put forward as a great argument
against consolidation, and the inference
drawn that taxes in Los Angeles were
of necessity higher because the tax
rate paid here is higher.
This argument was exploded by City
Attorney Hewitt. who called the atten-
tion of the voters 10 the fact that all
of the tax rate in Los Angeles over
81 was for bonds voted prior to con-
solidation. and in which the consol-
dated cities had no interest. He fur
ther showed that the assessment val
uation was based on from 35 to 65 per
cent of the actual value of the property
a assessed. while on the other hand the
| assessment in this city, as is very well
known. Is based on a fictitious price
and then calculated on a 80 per cent
basis, which, in many instances,
reaches so. 80 or even 100 per cent of the
real value.
In comparing the actual money paid
for taxes on a piece of property valued
at $4,000 in San Pedro and one of the
same value located in Los Angeles it
has very often been shown that the
a
piece is considerably lower.
These things the intelligent and
thoughtful voter here knows. He also
knows that the water rate, gas rate,
electric light rate insurance rate, in
terest rate and many other rates on the
necessities of life are materially lower
in the greater city
Is Selfish Matter
The question of consolidation with
Los Angeles has resolved itself into a
question of selfish ends" The prop
erty owner will realize an increased
value to his property The working
man will have more work end steady
work, with wages governed, not on
threats of the employer, but by regula-
tions maintained by the relation of
supply and demand, as they have been
in the past. The merchant will have
more business with customers who have
more money to pay for goods pur-
chased. All lines of business will be
benefited.
On the other hand are other selfish
concerns who think they viii be hurt.
The man with the political control who
has the monopoly of the liquor business
and the twelve saloon licenses in his
pocket will undoubtedly be hurt when
this control ceases. The man in public
office who has made something out
of IA j1h or MI ha af
political power may also selfishly op-
pose the measure. although if his in
terests outside his position be large he
will think twice before he casts his
ballot against consolidation.
The personal privilege, special inter-
est coterie here have many friends"
actual and political, and these friends
are expected to vote to continue the
monopoly, but if these friends. tried
and true as they may be, have per
sonal interests" of their own, either
property, mercantile. business, or days
wages, they also Will think twice be-
fore they vote against consolidation.
No reasonable man doubts the good
faith Of Los Angeles, because the full
fllment of her promises is essential to
her future. and no reasonable man
doubts that if those promises are full
filled the greatest benefits will fall on
this city. its merchants, its property
owners and its wage earners.
AS, then, the opposition to consolida-
tion is based on a false foundation, IL
logical and unable to stand the light
of day or investigation, that opposi-
tion is daily crumbling away, and while
on election day, August -, some of the
special privilege may fight, their
weapons win not be logic, argument Or
good judgment These weapons and
methods of use will for once, be in
effectuaI for united people are in
telligently ready to throw off the yoke
which gals them and to prepare for
better things.