Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-28

" HESE statements, particularly the
last, were laid before the Los An
= geles consolidation committee by
the San Pedro consolidation committee
at joint meeting of the Los Angeles
chamber of commerce last night. At
the beginning of the conference, the
San Pedro committee, through the
chairman, John 7. Gaffey, asked
whether they were there merely as ex-
perts or whether they had the right to
attend all meetings of the Los Angeles
committee. After discussion by both
sides the Los Angeles committee with
drew for consideration and then
unanimously adopted the following
resolution:
Resolved, That we recognize the
consolidation committee here present
for San Pedro tonight as the special
representatives of the consolidation
movement in San Pedro and that we
invite them to be present at all pub
lie meetings where the question of San
Pedro's consolidation is under consid-
Grafton, whether the delegates who
seek hearing be for or against con-
solidation; that after the term of the
hearing of such evidence this Los An
geles committee will then be prepared
to enter into conference with the San
Pedro conference committee"
This brought feeling of good fell
lowship all around. I'VE have en-
deavored in adopting this resolution
said Stoddard Jess, chairman of the
Los Angeles committee, ito embody
our feeling in response to your ques-
ticns."
II assure you. gentlemen" said John
T. Gaffey, that your action is very
pleasing to us. / am convinced it will
materially smooth the way toward con-
-solidation.'
Replies to Letter
Chairman Stoddard Jess at the open
ing of the meeting made the following
address in answer to the letter sent
him last week by the San Pedro COM
mittee:
"In response TO our invitation. we
have with us tonight a committee of
the board of trade of the city of San
Pedro, to give us their views on the
question of consolidation.
"There is at this time no question of
greater Importance to the future well
fare of the cities interested, or to the
future welfare of all of Southern Cali
fornia, than the question of consoli-
dation.
when our mission fathers a century
and quarter ago located the Pueblo of
Los Angeles, they selected its site be-
cause of the water supply available
for domestic and irrigation purposes
and because of the fertility of the soil
Little did they dream that the pueblo
would develop into a great city, the
center of a great and populous coun-
try, but the time came when it was
apparent that Los Angeles would be-
come a great city and develop a COM
merce that would build up great sea-
port A powerful corporation decreed
that a deep-sea harbor should be de-
veloped at Santa Monica, to be known
as the Port Log Angeles, but the peo-
Pile of Los Angeles and of Southern
California, recognizing the fact that
the time had come when it was neces-
.sary to select the most eligible site as
the future port of the city and for
Southern California, after mature de-
liberation selected San Pedro and Will
mington and after battle royal sue
ceeded In gaining for San Pedro the
recognition of the general government
as the future site for the harbor. AS
result, we have seen the construc-
tion of a breakwater at San Pedro by
the government at an expense of $3,-
600. 900, carrying with it the intention
to expend other millions in the further
development of that harbor.
Appeal to Legislature
"Recognizing the advantages to ac-
crue to Southern California by. being in
readiness through the development of
the harbor to receive the impetus sure
to come to ocean commerce by the
completion of the isthmian canal,
successful effort was made to secure
the enactment of a law by the last
legislature enabling cities to CONSOLE
date, with the hope and expectation
that a consolidation of the cities of
Los Angeles with San Pedro and VIII
rnington could be affected, to allow Los
Angeles o join her influence and use
her financial strength with the harbor
lContinued on Page Three)