Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-06-17
DISCUSS HASTE
FOR FRANCHISES
CONSOLIDATI0NiSTS ALIVE TO
ITS IMPORTANCE
CHECKING OF PETITIONS SHOWS
FAVORABLE CONDITION
More Than Required Number of Sign
ers QuaIify-supporters of Great
err Los Angeles Watching
Corporations Efforts

The initial checking of consolidation
election petitions shows an average of
81 per cent of names complying with
the legal requirements. This is much
better than John P. steele, who con-
Quoted the canvass, had anticipated.
But fourteen names not acceptable
were found on the Wilmington petit
ton. and these were rejected because
initials instead of full names were
signed. The San Pedro petition has
been found to contain several times the
number needed from that city Inc
work of checking will be finished to-
day or tomorrow.
'Fifty-five per cent average of good
names would be sufficient on the Los
Angeles petition" said Mr.. Steele yes
terday. 1--WE aimed to make the petl-
tons as clean as possible ana TO ID
cilitate checking in this way l knew
that the number of acceptable sigma
lures was safe, but did not think IL
would run up so high.
The applications before the san
Pedro board of trustees for franchises
were a subject of interest with the
leaders of the consolidation movement
Yesterday The Los Angeles men pest
posted on the matter were adverse 10
discuss the merits of the question,
stating it was one in which san Pedro
should take the initiative, inasmuch as
the consolidation campaign mad no.
been started. San Pedro men TOOK the
opposite view, however
Up 70 Los Angeles
"The matter is really up to the Los
Angeles committee" said John A. An
derson of San Pedro yesterday. Inc
applications were inspired simply pc
cause consolidation seems assured, ana
Los Angeles has as big an interest
right now as any one. If the Los An
geles committee can suggest way 10
check the action we would like TO nave
it. For myself, / don't see any way to
stop the granting of the franchises.
The trustees are determined 10 grant
them. they don't care about waiting
until The consolidation question is set
tied"
Capt. Amos A. Fries, looking at the
proposition as an outside observer, said
he believed the matter to be of ex-
IRENE Importance in it's bearing on
consolidation.
1.-THE wharf franchises asked by the
Bannings cut off the most accessible
and most valuable portion of the in
ner harbor, practically without any
compensation" said Capt. Fries. "a
very small amount of dredging will
bring the twenty-five foot depth to
the wharves and they will always be
located in the best portion of the har-
Dor. 1 should think the citizens of
San Pedro regardless of their attitude
toward consolidation, would have the
matter held open until consolidation is
decided definitely, even if they have to
use some extreme measure in doing
so. 1t looks to me like an attempt to
get what cannot otherwise be wrested
from the public after next month, and
shows how nearly certain the interests
opposing consolidation are that it will
come about"
Should Postpone Session
ut is not for members of the Los
Angeles committee to take the initfa-
tive" said A. p. Fleming, secretary of
the committee, but there is everything
to suggest to the San Pedro trustees
that fairmindedness should dictate a
postponement of all these matters I'M
til the consolidation question is de-
cided. Why should there be this haste
Just when such a big problem is be-
fore the people?"
"They have practically granted the
Bannings' applications" said John f.
Gaffey land l don't see how it can be
prevented. AS to the Pacific Electric
franchise on Palos Verdes, the saloon
keepers will make the biggest objection
the rest of San Pedro will not object
greatly. we nave DCCA N"A'i ~
them off the waterfront and on the
outer street for some time, but the
saloonmen naturally want them TO pun
the people off in front of their places
"This franchise matter reminds one
of the report of the legislative commit
tee on San Pedro harbor, which stated
that there was nothing there to I'M
prove" said a member of the consolida,-
ton committee. ut looks as though
the San Pedro trustees wanted 70
emphasize this as hard as they can