Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-09
BOND ISSUE TO
DEVELOP POWER
UP TO CITIZENS
S3,5Oo,000 NEEDED TO START
GREAT AQUEDUCT WORK
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS SAYS
TIME is RIPE NOW
Vote for Necessary Funds, 1t Is
Claimed, Will Mean Great Saw
ing on Big Ditch Under
Construction

~ HE people OF Los Angeles Will De
called on to vote bonds for $780,
u 900 in the near future, if the re-
quest of the board of public works is
complied with by the council.
These ponds are for the development
of the power on the Owens river aque-
duct, and it is necessary that the ques-
tion of whether the people want this
power developed to its fullest extent
be settled at once, as it will make
great difference in the actual construc-
tion of the aqueduct. II the people are
willing to vote bonds for the project
the line will be built at certain grades
and certain places that would not be
the case if the bonds fail of passage.
The plans of the board of public
works, as outlined in a report to the
council, provide for the esta blishment
of four power plants. two in the San
Francisquita canyon, one near the
town of San Fernando and another be-
tween Little Lake and Haiwee creek.
1t Is estimated that an average of 49,
COO horse power can be developed, with
q maximum of $4,000.
Message Was Delayed
The report of the board of public
works asking that the council call the
bond election should have been pre-
sented to that body at its meeting
Tuesday but, through error, the mes
sage to the council miscarried and it
probably will be next Tuesday before
the council can instruct the city at
torney to draw up the necessary ordi-
nance for submitting the matter to the
people.
While there are several members of
the council that own allegiance to the
power companies, especially to one of
them that dabbles in politics with the
Southern Pacific, but it is not probable
that any of them will obstruct the call
ing of the bond issue. The council al
ready is committed to the matter. Out
of the general expense fund it unani-
mously appropriated $4,000 in this
years budget for the preliminary work
of developing the power. This prelim-
mary work will begin as soon as pos
sible. In fact, some of it already has
been done.
E. f. Scattergood, who has been in
the employ of the aqueduct depart
ment as electrical engineer, will have
charge of the power development
scheme He already has been appoint
ed chief electrical engineer by the
board of public works.
Report to City Council
The report of the board to the coun-
Gil is as follows:
"This board already has installed
plant at Cottonwood creek to provide
power for construction purposes on the
aqueduct north of Mojave, and is now
charging the same in order to meet
demand for additional power on the
work. This plant is substantial in
character, strictly modern in equip
ment and was designed ultimately to
become part of the permanent power
system of the city. There are addi-
TT, h.
aqueduct line which might we'll be con-
sidered by the city for the purpose of
permanent power development, should
funds be available for this purpose.
GAS the work on the aqueduct pro-
crosses it becomes more and more ap-
parent. that work on the power plants
should be carried on concurrently with
the construction of the portion of the
aqueduct in the vicinity of the power
sites. This plan is necessary and ad
Visable on at least two grounds name
ly: that the construction of the pow
er plants must be started at an early
date in order that they may be put
into operation on the completion of the
aqueduct or as soon thereafter as was
expected by the people in authorizing
the aqueduct bonds, and, secondly, by
carrying on the construction of the
power plants and those portions of the
aqueduct at the same time, the best
arrangement for power development
consistent with the primary purpose of
the aqueduct, and a saving in cost of
construction, amounting to hundreds
Of thousands of dollars can be effected.
Decision Is Important
''This saving is not possible if the
aqueduct is to be built without refer
ence to the development of power and
is completed before the work on the
power plants is undertaken. In other
words, if power development were not
in contemplation, the aqueduct must
and will be located and built along
more economical grade than that which
would be adopted if the line is to be
adjusted to incidental power develop
ment. The entire aqueduct must be
built in order to deliver water into the
San Fernando valley, and the ques-
ton to be determined is whether the
portions of the line contiguous to the
proposed power stations should be
specially designed, located and built
with a view to the development of
power,
"Since the aqueduct funds may be
used only for the purpose germane to
the establishment of the aqueduct sys-
tenn, the cost of this special construc
ton could be met only by the sale of
power bonds.
"In order then, that the power
plants may be put in operation within
the time indicated and that the saving
in the cost of construction by carry
ing on the two projects concurrently
may be accomplished it is necessary
that steps be taken without delay to
provide funds by the issue of bonds
(Co7tinued Page Five)