Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-18
ROADS CONDUCT
ROUNDLY SCORED
STREETS REPRESENTED AS IN
SHAMEFUL SHAPE
COUNCIL HAS TAKEN STEPS TO
ENFORCE ORDINANCE
for Santa Monica to Make
Determined Stand for
Right
ISnecial 10 The II RAID


SANTA MONICA, Jan. 17.-One out
of many situations that has had it's
share in bringing about the present
trouble between the city council and
the Los AngeIes-Pacific is the condi-
ton in which Main street was left by
the company after the tracks on that
thoroughfare were taken up.
The old Main street franchise was
abandoned by the company, and after
the tracks had been taken up no effort
was made to restore the street to It's
proper state. The matter was brought
to the notice of the officials of the road,
and still nothing was done. The street
has an asphalt pavement, and at pres
ent there are two StreakS OF mud down
the center where the rails have been
taken up.
Councilman George Snyder in speak
ing of the matter said: Manager
Sherman told US. in SO many words,
that we were unable to compel the
company to restore Main street. They
have taken up their rails and left it in
very bad shape. However, we think We
have remedy. The street superin-
tendent has been ordered to restore the
street as it was before, and the city
will charge the expense to the rail-
road. We believe we know what we
are doing and will be able to collect the
money"
G. Wiley Wells, in a communication
on the subject, says: 1.-The railroad
has treated Santa Monica with con-
tempt, ignoring the rights she had and
arrogating to itself the rights of a citi-
zen and city,
Looks to Auto Line
Continuing, he says: 'It will not be
long before some enterprising citizen
will establish an automobile route by
which people can travel to Los Angeles
until line can be established that will
consider the rights of the people,
One result of the poor service given
by the railroad is that the volume of
trading at the local stores has been in
creased. 1t is so inconVenient for resi-
dents of the north side to transfer and
wait fifteen minutes for their cars that
they do a great deal of business with
local merchants, when otherwise they
would go to Los Angeles.
The cars of the company have not
as yet begun to stop at all stations, in
compliance with the terms of the ordi-
nance recently passed by the council.
The measure will become effective jan
uary %.
A member of the council was asked
today what action the city would take
in the event of the railroad refusing to
make the stops required by the ordi-
nance. He replied: 1.-The matter is all
arranged right now. The chief of DO.
lice has received peremptory orders to
station patrolmen along the right of
way on the day the ordinance goes into
effect and to arrest all motormen and
conductors refusing to make the re-
quired stops"
AS Viewed by Local Press
Under tho +oi1 To
Now Come for Santa Monica to, Fight"
the Santa Monica Outlook has the fol-
lowing to say on the subject:
by nature Santa Monica is the best
seaside town in California for residence
purposes. Only nine miles back of it
lies great city of 100000 people
Santa Monica is naturally entitled
to lucent car service, modern in
equipment and operation, with a round
trip fare of rs cents. With this benefit
Santa Monica'S population would be
doubled within five years, and all the
beautiful mesa between Oregon avenue
and the foothills would be populated
with beautiful homes.
That her citizens must pay q car
fare of S5 and so cents, without bag
gage accommodations, is monstrous,
and the miserable car service rendered
even at this price is no longer tolerable.
The fight should be carried to a sue
ceSSful end, until the franchise now
held by the Los Angeles-Pacific railroad
is forfeited and a new deal is made
either between this company and the
people of Santa Monica or between a
new company and the people of Santa
Monica.
Must Seize Opportunity
Anything short of this conclusion of
the matter is missing the greatest op-
portunity that has come or will come
to Santa Monica in many years-the
opportunity of becoming the largest,
best and most beautiful suburban city
in Southern California. That whole is
sue hinges upon proper transportation
and reasonable charges.
Every loyal citizen of Santa Monica
should swear support to the city coun-
Gil in this fight and should daily stand
on guard.
LET us have fight now that we may
live hereafter.
"Let US make an honorable effort to
be ON the map in the future even If
we are just now not on the map as
Manager Sherman has drawn it for the
Associated Press