Los Angeles herald., 1909-06-10
GREATER LOS ANGELES


A ND now for Greater Los Angeles,
u the metropolis of the west, the
II principal seaport of the Pacific.
Consolidation. first talked of as a pos
sibillty, then as a probability, then as
an ACCESSIBILITY, is now certainty.
This news will have a remarkable
effect throughout the country. In
every part of the United States. and
in all parts Of the civilized world where
maritime interests are taken into &C
count, there will be an appreciation IN
popular estimation of Los Angeles. If
we may put 1t in that way the stock
of the city will go up"
By the report of the committee OF
fifteen representative and public spir-
tied men, approved by Los Angeles
business bodies, members of the cham
Der of commerce, Municipal league, AS
ISOLATED Jobbers and harbor commits
sion. a magnificent harbor, we'll worthy
of Greater Los Angeles, is planned for
the united cities. Captain Fries and
other experts agree the outlay OF $10,-
00O. 900 will secure for Greater Los An
geles a port equal to any that could be
constructed and equipped for eight
times the sum named, or $sO,ooo,ooo, on
the north Atlantic or British coast.
The harbor will receive the benefits
of expenditure of s10,o0o.00O bond Isl
sue; and the harbor section of Greater
Los Angeles will get the advantage
of metropolitan educational, lighting,
water, police and fire department fa-
cilities. AS The Herald has said re-
peatedly, consolidation is a square deal
proposition, and every part of Greater
Los Angeles will get a square deal.
The idea that the interests of any
part or section of the greater city must
be sacrificed--even temporarily-to the
interests of other sections existed only
in the perfervid imaginations of those
who for selfish reasons were opposed to
consolidation.
The first step in the campaign will
be the securing of $4,000 signatures of
qualified voters to two petitions, one
calling for an election on consolidation
between Los Angeles and San Pedro,
and the other on the consolidation be-
tween Los Angeles and Wilmington. A
voter may sign BOTH petitions, and
canvassers will secure signatures to
them.
Great credit is due the public spirited
citizens composing the committee of
fifteen. With conscientious zeal and
a loyal appreciation of the vast impor-
lance of the trust reposed in them, the
fifteen set about their task with en-
thusiasm, energy and sagacity, and in
less than two months formulated the
satisfactory basis for consolidation
which now brings Greater Los Angeles
within the scope of practical metro
politan policy, to the great satisfaction
of all patriotic citizens interested in
the prosperity of the people of Greater
Los Angeles and Southern California
There is gratifying harmony OF
opinion on the subject Of Greater
Los Angeles, and 1t is not likely
even the utmost endeavors of adj
verse powers, influences and interests
can now prevent consolidation plans
from being adopted and carried out.
When all the contracting parties are
satisfied 1t is difficult for meddler To
spoil a deal" and when the deal
is absolutely square it is hard to per-
suade contracting parties there is any
thing amiss. The endeavors of corpor-
alton agents and workers have been
directed chiefly toward trying to make
the voters of the harbor cities believe
they are not to be benefited by CONSOLE
dation, but that in some mysterious
way Los Angeles is to reap all the hem
eft. These nonsensical fabrications Of
anti consolidation workers have not
had any effect on the taxpayers of the
harbor cities who find their property is
already approaching in value in an
ticipation of it's Interpolation" by
union with Los Angeles.
Business prosperity caused by
prospect of the formation of Greater
Los Angeles is an argument in favor of
consolidation that is as unanswerable
as any-and all are unanswerable.
Anti consolidation arguments have
been too silly to produce any effect on
intelligent people. Hence the discus
sion has reached its present one-sided
condition-for it cannot be denied pub
lie sentiment is now overwhelmingly
in favor of consolidation and of the
plans that will place on the map
Greater Los Angeles, which. with its
fine seaport, San Pedro, will be the
commercial, manufacturing, education