Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-01-06
MAYOR URGES
BETTER TRAFFIC
CONDITIONS
HARPER THINKS CONGESTION
OF STREETS DANGEROUS
ASKS COUNCIL TO DEAL FIRMLY
WITH TROLLEY LINES
Chief Executive in Annual Message
Suggests What He Considers
Many Needed Reforms in
Los Angeles

Advanced ideas are contained in the
annual message Of Mayor Harper, de-
! liVered to the city council yesterday.
The relief of traffic conditions on
Main and Spring streets, which are
daily growing worse, is the first thing
he touches on in his message, and he
asks the city council to compel the
railway companies to take some steps
! to mitigate this danger to life and
! limb.
The construction of subways he sug-
| geSts would do much to relieve the
! blockades caused by steam roads, es-
| peclally at East Main and RedOndo
streets. Running more cars over San
! Pedro street would help traffic condi-
| tions of Main street, and he asks the
council to take this under considera-
ton. He says the time is ripe when
the chief executive and city council
should ask the Pacific Electric to set
date when the congestion for which it
is responsible be relieved.
He asks the creation of a commission
of three experts, one Of whom shall be
an expert accountant, to fix the rates
for public utilities. Under the present
plan the council fixes these rates each
year. But the mayor says that the
members of the council have no specific
knowledge of public utilities, such as
gas, electricity, telephones, etc, and
that they should be advised by experts.
Advocates School Bonds
He advocates the passage Of the
school bonds, and in the longest recon-
mendation of the message shows the
urgent necessity for more school build
ings, especially for high school pur-
poses.
Boiled down the mayors message
contains the following recommended
tons:
That the council take steps to COM
pei the street car companies to relieve
traffic congestion on Main street by
withdrawing interurban cars.
That steps be taken to prevent steam
roads blockading street and street car
That the city create permanent
commission to fix utility company
rates.
That the school bonds be carried and
more schools built.
That the construction work on the
aQuedUct be adjusted to absorb the
| bond money as fast as it is received
under the selling contract with New
York financiers.
That the voters approve the proposed
charter amendment providing that va
cant lots may be taxed for water i'm
prOVementS.
That 100 additional patrolmen be en-
plOyed immediately.
That a new city hall be built.
That two new police sub-stations be
provided for.
That two free public baths be estab-
! lished.
That four additional sanitary inspect
ors be created for the health depart
ment.
Public Comfort Station
That four more public comfort sta
tons be provided for in addition to the
two already planned by the council.
That the city take steps to build en-
gine houses at Seventh and Figueroa
streets, Fourth and Main streets,
Fourth street and Euclid avenue, Cali
fornia and Hill streets, Seventh street
and Union avenue, and near the Santa
Fe railroad depot, and that the engine
house and site at 1919 West Seventh
street be sold.
That a central manual fire alarm
system be installed.
That all municipal buildings erected
in the future be of concrete.
That the council establish a munich
| pal weighing station with adequate
public scales, and create a deputy seal
| er Of weights and measures to be in
charge.
That the council pass an ordinance
providing for a standard of measure
ment in the sale of milk
That an official be created to investi-
| gate the actions of civil service en-
ployes and file charges against those
who violate rules.
That an appropriation be made to
widen and extend roads in Griffith
| park
That park sites be obtained in the
Sixth and Seventh wards.
That initial steps be taken to build a
| boulevard system connecting all city
| parks.
That a public library building be
erected.
That an annual appropriation be
made and men employed under the d.
! rection of the city forester to trim and
care for street trees