Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-30
OPPOSE MERGING
PUBLIC OFFICES
REAL ESTATE MEN DISAP-
PROVE OF CONSOLIDATION
COUNTY DIVISION ALSO At
Tackled AT BIG BANQUET
Delays In Street Opening and Widen
ing Discussed and Steps Are
Taken for More Prompt
Action

Strong opposition to the proposition for the
consolidation OF the county and city offices,
or any movement that will tend to reduce
the present limits of the city and county, de-
veloped last night at the formal dinner of the
Los Angeles realty board at the Angelus ho-
tel, attended by seventy members and guests
Of the organization,
Senator N. w. Thompson led in the discus
sion Of the topic, He touched upon the mirac-
ulous growth Of Los Angeles city and county.
and called attention to the strength of tho
county as whole In affairs Of the state, and
gave suggestions to the weakness which
would follow the dividing Of the county in any
manner. Figures were submitted showing how
the city and county had forged ahead in pop
ulation and in value Of assessable property.
Comparisons not at all gratifying to San Fran
cisco boosters were submitted with the asser-
ton that within decade Los Angeles Will
outstrip the northern city in politica and
business strength.
Lee Gates, in his sedgehammer and con-
vncing style, was emphatic in opposition to
consolidation Of city and county governments
and declared himself as forever opposed to
county division. He suggested that money
can be saved the taxpayers by consolidating
the offices Of the city and county assessors,
the collectors and the offices Of treasurers
1t was stated that county division Will be
live issue in the next campaign, with Po-
mona leading in the movement
Leslie r. Hewitt city attorney, touched
upon various phases of the subject, and as
serted that county division cannot be accom-
plshed without changes In the present laws.
He stated there was no difference of opinion
among the people as to the need of improved
methods of collecting taxes, the present sys-
TEN being ridiculous and extravagant
Delays in Street Opening and Widening
the topic assigned to Herbert Burdett
who briefly detailed the intricacies met with
in having improvements made.
Emmett H. Wilson, assistant city attorney,
answered Mr.. Burdett, and at some length de-
tailed the requirements of the state law, and
the rights OF property owners under the law
to clog various improvements inaugurated.
He said that the shortest time an improve
ment could be put through. with no objec-
lions filed, is 26O days, while usually It takes
an average OF two years to reach the point
where the city may proceed with any improve
ment affecting property of residents.
City Engineer Prince discussed phases Of the
question which under his Jurisdiction.
stating that there are now ifty-six streets In
the courts waiting for final decision, while
there fifty more streets soon to be taken
in hand for the first time and put through
the courts.
George Black said It seemed to him an easy
matter to start proceedings, easy TO stop them.
but extremely difficult to reach a finish. He
said present legal requirements practically
conhscate the property of residents because
Of the intolerable and unjust delays.
Brief addresses were made by Judge r. T.
Elliott of Colorado and oscar Parish.
On motion OF George Black a committee was
appointed to confer with the city charter re-
vision commission with reference to street
widening proposition and present annoying de-
President W. NJ Garland, who presided as
POSTMASTER appointed Oscar Parish. George
Black and John ID. Foster as members Of the
committee.
Those in attendance at the dinner were: W.
NJ Garland, president Secretary Herbert Bur
dett, Edwin @. Hart, +. c. Benedict J. r.
Prince. Emmett II. Wilson, George N. Black,
N. w. Thompson. George H. Pike, Percy H.
Clark. o. p. Adams, L. l.. Bowen, G. A.
Cortelyou, e Farmer w. H. Cornell, Jo-
seph r. LOTUS. L. M Pratt, Lee C. Gates, e.
T. Elliott, o. Il. Parrish e. M. Hough, e. w.
Kidder C. d. Kimball, NJ. L. Godfrey, Horace
G Hamilton, Leslie Hewitt C. w. Watson,
w. II. Kindig, A. r. Johnson, H. o. Meyer,
S. w. Leffingwe, Charles A. Elder, John C.
Hamm, p. I. Murphy Charles B. Ingram L.
F. Wells, w. L. Malone, c. L. Taylor, f
spurlock. H. s. Laughlin, S. G. Marshutz,
w. ]. O'Brien, Otto G. Wildey, Godfrey Ed
wards. C. II, Elmendorf, r. A. Walton, e. b.
Cushing. Walter G. Hopkins. F. H. Edwards.
" ]. Barlow, A. q. Westphal, Charles G. An
drews, S. J. White Harry r. Calender, James
r. II. Wagner. Gilbert S. Wright, John d.
Foster James w. Baldwin. Victor G. Klein
berger and Carroll A. Stalser.