Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-08
ALL OPPOSITION TO
HARBOR-
BOND ISSUES ENDS
Joseph MeSmer and Other Foes
of Plan Cease Fight and
Join Supporters
ENDORSEMENT IS UNANIMOUS
Federated Improvement AsSocia-
tion Adopts Resolutions
of Hearty Approval
BY r. SHELLEY SUTTON

TFN HE leaders in the handful of oppo-
sition which recently developed
II against the proposed harbor ana
power plant bond issues last night ao-
mitted they were without argument
confessed they were wrong, and has
tened to state they were satisfied with
the explanations given, when, at meet
ing in the chamber of commerce as
sembly hall, the Federated Improve
ment association. after a spirited de-
bate, adopted resolutions enthusiastic
ally supporting the bond projects.
1t was one of the most interesting
meetings of the harbor bond campaign.
At the conclusion of several warm dis
cussions Joseph Mesmer, John L. Pope
and one or two others, who had criti-
cised the projects, admitted their defeat
and tacitly acknowledged they We're
laboring under a wrong impression al
ter which the resolutions were unanl-
modsly adopted, and the Federated
Improvement association went before
the people as favoring the bond issue.
In the official and membership lists
of this organization 1t had long been
known there We're several men who
were believed to oppose the harbor and
power plant bonds, and the meeting OF
the association last night afforded these
men what was practically their hrst
public opportunity to state their posi-
tions.
CITY Attorney Leslie r. Hewitt, In
a comprehensive manner, detailed the
work that has been done on the aque-
duct, and explained clearly why from
a legal standpoint, 1t would be impos-
sible to include every detail of the
proposed plan of expenditure to IN
volve. as it will, in the bond prob
lens yet to arise in the bond resolution.
So thorough and painstaking was his
explanation that there was none who
heard him who could longer doubt the
wisdom and propriety of the course
taken by the city in desiring to au-
thorize the bond issue in general
way, without imposing compliciating
or detailed restrictions which might
seriously handicap the future work.
SEVERAL. OTHERS SPEAK
among the speakers who defended
the bond issue, or who, rather, eX-
planned the several perplexing phases
of the project besides Mr.. Hewitt, were
Stoddard Jess, L. E. Gibbon, DICK
Warner, VIII d. Gould and others.
Brief speeches were also made by sam
uel Young, l.. Romans and one or two
eral of these members did their utmost
to prevent the association from going
on record as opposed to the develop
ment of the harbor and water power.
At the opening of the meeting, now
ever, a number of circulars, signed by
the "Hazard Park Improvement asso-
citation, w. E. Powelson, president"
were circulated through the audience
by L. Romans. This circular set forth
that the whole bond issue is huge
conspiracy because fthe power cam
panies Ito whose detriment the munlc-
ipal power plants will work. are really
in favor of the bonds, although stren-
uously opposing them now.
But when the facts were made known
by Mr.. Hewitt Stoddard Jess and 9TH
ers the opposition dwindled into moth
ing and even Joseph Mesmer arose In
the audience and said:
at am entirely satisfied gentlemen.
I am not opposed to the bonds"
There were cries of question" and
the resolutions were then voted on and
unanimously adopted. These resolu-
tions, which reflect much credit on the
association, read as follows;
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
"'Whereas, The Federated Improve
ment association of the city of Los An
geles, which stands for the improve
ment and development of the city OF
Los Angeles upon the broadest ana
most comprehensive lines, now fully re-
alizes that the future growth and COM
merciaI supremacy of our beloved CITY
depend upon her ability TO develop
manufacturing and commerce commeh-
surate with her natural advantages;
and
whereas, Los Angeles acquired the
San Pedro and Wilmington harbors un-
der certain terms and conditions relat-
ing TO the improvement of their mar
bors. which obligations must be met
and fulfilled, and when improved as
contemplated in accord with said terms
ard conditions will afford the citizens
of the city Of Los Angeles and contigu-
Gus territory all of the advantages of
water transportation, and which Will
enable her to reap all of the advan-
tages of the great owens river, aque-
duct and the power to be derived there
from; and
"Whereas, This association has now
received from the men in power a sat
isfactory explanation of the manner
in which the funds to be derived from
the $4,000 900 bond issue is to be expend-
ed. and also the $3,500,000 for the builo-
ing of a power plant; now, therefore,
be 1t
"Resolved, That we do hereby express
full and perfect confidence in the men
now in charge of both the harbor and
power plant improvements, and believe
il would be bad faith upon the part OF
the citizens of Los Angeles to fail to
keep their pormises, made in good faith
to Wilmington and San Pedro, and that
the commercial future and growth or
our citv depend upon the development
of the owens river water supply and
the power to be derived therefrom, and
the Improvement of the harbor that
we NAV be enabled to avail ourselves
Of the advantages that will surely be
presented to us when the Panama canal
Is finished, and we therefore advise
every member of our association ana
every man who stands for porgress and
Reinforcement of Los Angeles to go to
the polls on April 19, 1910, and do his
full duty by voting in favor Of both
{he harbor and power bonds, and that
- 100000 ~. uSas-a NinaA