Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-16
TO PLAY FAIR IN
CONSOLIDATION
EVERY INTEREST TO BE GIVEN
SQUARE DEAL
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE HAVE
NO AXES TO GRIND
Plan Campaign to Explain to Other
Communities Which VIII Be
Affected-ReaI Results
Are Expected

"At this time there is no question OF
greater Importance TO Los Angeles and
Southern California than the proposed
consolidation of the city of Los An
geles with the harbor cities" declared
Chairman Stoddard Jess at the first
meeting of the Los Angeles consollda-
ton committee since the inspection trip
over the harbor. That the other lead
ing business men who compose the
committee agreed with him was evil
dent at the meeting yesterday after
noon in the office of Secretary Fleming,
at which every member was present
with the exception of James A. Ander-
son. who was out of the city, and j. M.
Schneider
When it was decided to make the
number of members of the committee
fifteen, a reason influencing this was
the supposition that so many proml-
nent men would not all be able to get
together at one time and smaller
committee might find itself without
quorum. So far, however, every mem
Der has expressed a DETERMINATION 70
attend all meetings, even at sacrince
of business, realizing the great I'M
portance of consolidation.
Gives Keynote
Mr.. Jess made a speech which might
be termed the keynote" of the com
mittees opinion in calling the meeting
to order, in which he said:
"As paramount as the proposition
seems to be to- the citizeHR of Los An
geles as affecting its future welfare,
we must remember that 1T is OF rela-
lively greater Importance to the peo-
pie and property owners of the har-
Dor cities. For this reason we should
not be surprised to find the people OF
the harbor cities apprehensive as TO
what the real effect of consolidation
will be. and even somewhat suspicious
as to what the true motive and 1nten-
tions of Los Angeles are in connection
with consolidation.
'In looking over the personnel OF
this committee 1 am impressed that
every member is fair-minded, with no
axes to grind and In position to con-
slider the question before the commit
tee in the broadcast and fairest man
ner and to act without prejudice.
Gentlemen, in handling this ques-
ton of consolidation, let our motto be
"a square deal for all concerned Let
US get the viewpoint of those opposed
to consolidation as well as those In
favor of 1t, and to that end let US
invite representatives of any or all
civic bodies OF. public organizations OF
the harbor cities to appear before us
and give us their views on the con-
solidation question, that we may be In
the best possible position to reach the
fairest conclusions"
To Hold Conferences
The committee agreed unanimously
with the suggestion made by Chairman
Jess, and the secretary, A. p. Fleming,
was instructed to notify all organtza-
lions of the harbor cities of the COM
mittee's wish to hold conferences. e.
D. Seward, secretary of the working
committee of seven of the San Pedro
consolidation committee, yesterday no.
titled the Los Angeles consolidation
committee that San Pedro Is DESTROYS
of a conference and is ready to meet.
A meeting of the two committees will
probably be arranged for April rs II
that date is found satisfactory to the
San Pedro members.
Hereafter much of the work of the
Los Angeles committee will be as
signed to committees to facilitate pre-
pairing for the consolidation campaign.
1t was decided at yesterdays meeting
that q public request for contributions
toward the consolidation campaign will
be made. A finance committee was
appointed, consisting of M. H. New
mark, William d. Stephens, f. w.
Braun, J. M. Schneider, Frank Simpson
and H. Jevne A legal committee. COM
posed of Leslie r. Hewitt, j. A. Ander-
son and Joseph Scott, was also APP
pointed at yesterdays meeting.
Conferences with the harbor cities
interests will probably be frequent fol-
lowing. the meeting with the San Pedro
committee, and the Los Angeles COM
mittee will make every effort to carry
out it's motto, "A square deal for all
concerned"