Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-20
WANT CONSOLIDATION
OF TOWNS OF BEACH
VAST CROWD GATHERS AT
OCEAN PARK CASINO
Greater Santa Monica Is Slogan OF
Citizens Who Are Interested
in Advancement of
City
LsnecIal 10 The Herald.l

SANTA MONICA, March 19.-Greater
Santa Monica was the slogan taken up
throughout the whole bay section by
more than 500 persons who gathered at
the Ocean Park casino this evening and
listened to speakers representing all
sections and professions of the bay
district.
Much enthusiasm was manifested and
the speakers were repeatedly cheered
as they exploited the benefits to be de-
rived from the consolidation OF the city
of the beach.
Occupying seats on the platform were
the following: Byron c. Hanna, city at
torney of Ocean Park; George snyder
Commodore Armstrong, j. B. Proctor
and C, B. Griffith of the city council;
fudge Steele, Judge M. r. King, David
Evans, P. ]. Dudley, E. P. Clark,
president of the Los Angeles-Pacihc
railroad; A. L. Selig, general manager
of the Edison company; superintendent
Of Schools Rebok of Santa Monica
James Chalmers, c. E. Mcleod ana u
w. Brown, seeretary Oh tne SANTA
Monica bay chamber of commerce.
President Webster of the latter or
ranization presided, and after a brief
and concise explanation OF the opJects
of the meeting introduced the first
speaker, w. H. Anderson, former city
attorney of Ocean Park. :,
1--WE think that in proposing consoli-
dalton we have hit upon the soiu-
tion OF all of our difficulties" said Mr..
Anderson. 1--WE have been a house
divided against itself long enough" he
compared the natural advantages of the
Santa Monica bay towns over those OF
other cities outside of Los Angeles and
then compared the railroad service OF
the former with that of the latter as IL
Illustrating what a large city can 40
that a small one cannot.
He quoted the law and explained that
neither city would be responsible FOR
anv indebtedness of the other con-
tracted before consolidation.
Referring to the consolidation act,
the speaker stated that certain BUSY
bodies from Los Angeles had gone to
Sacramento and proposed comproIhiss Sc
on the number of votes required 10
carry at a consolidation election.
Favor Consolidation
Dana Burks, eX-mayor OF ocean
Park, was introduced as the FOUNDER
of that city, and asked TO tell why
and how he did it, and how to undo 1t.
He spoke convincingly of the penents
Of the proposed move.
p. p. Clark, president of the Los
Angeles-Pacific railroad, vast the next
speaker. He decried the sectional
jealousy of the various interests on the
bav and cited Los Angeles as the ex-
ample of what can be done in the way
of growth and progress with all COM
mercial bodies pulling together. SPEAK
ing as a railroad official he gave the
project his unqualified approval.
A. L. Selig, general manager OF the
Edison Electric company, said that 1t
was an innovation for the people to
cali a public utility corporation into
its confidence, but he appreciated the
situation and was in favor of the con-
solidation of the beach cities.
Said he II firmly believe that what
is true of commercial enterprises,
namely that consolidation promotes eff
ffciency, exploits natural advantages
and reduces expenses, is just as true
of municipal corporations.
Judge Steele, introduced as the hand
soonest man on the north side of the
city, strenuously denied the charge
and gave a number of reasons why the
bay cities should be one.
David Evans, one of the pioneers of
the beach, received a regular ovation
when introduced. He stated that there
was but one reasonable side of the
question. The theme of his talk was
that Unity in municipal bodies pro-
notes efficiency. do not know"
said he, "of a single individual resid-
ing on this bay that consolidation
would injure. I live in the south end
of Ocean Park and own certain
amount of property there, but l am
willing to trust my property to the