Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-14
BONDS ARE URGED
BY BUSINESS MEN
Strong Statement Is Issued in
Behalf of the Harbor and
Power Projects
LOS ANGELES WILL PROFIT
Chamber of Commerce and Other
Civic Bodies Issue Ap-
peaIS to Voters
LOS ANGELES WILL PROFIT

The power and harbor bond commit
tee appointed by the chamber of COM
merce to manage the campaign in fa-
vor of the bonds and to bring to the
attention of the people of Los Angeles
the vital Importance of voting In ia
vor of the measures at the election on
April 10, yesterday issued a compre-
hensive statement to the voters outlin-
ing the reasons for and objects of the
proposed bond issue and describing the
immense value of the power and har-
Dor projects to this city. The state
ment of the committee was as follows:
william Howard Taft, president Of the Uni
ted states, on his recent visit 10 our city,
commenting upon the enterprise and patriotic
citizenship of Los Angeles, manifest IN her
magnificent Improvements under way and con-
templated for the future, In effect, said that
a city that displayed such keen business
foresight and had the courage and ability to
avail itself Of her natural advantages. was
entitled to and should receive most anything
she might ask for from the general govern
ment, by way Of assistance In realizing her
legitimate ambitions
On Tuesdav. April 1e tho voters Of Los
Angeles will be presented with an opportunity
OF making an investment In electrical power
plants and harbor development which IL
adopted, Will in the Judgment OF this com
mittee provide the means whereby at no dis
tant day the entire Indebtedness OF the city
will be materially reduced, and Will continue
10 produce revenue which viii go far toward
paying the running expenses OF the city and
will assist in lifting from the shoulders OF
the taxpayer the entire burden of taxation.
Tho report OF the engineers In charge OF
the building Of the aqueduct, which viii bring
10 us the owens river shows that the full
improvemen. will be completed for less than
the estimated cost and more than year
in advance OF the date originally sot FOR COM
pletion.
Is BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
The problem now confronting us is to so
prenare ourselves ns IN enable the city, at
the earliest possible date, to reap whatever
financial advantage that Will accrue from
the adueduct both from the power to be
developed on the line and the water TO be
delivered by II. The board Of water COM
missioners Of the city of Los Angeles Is ac-
lively taking up the matter Of providing Tor
the proper disposal of the water. and II Is
now M to the people Of Los Angeles TO pro-
vide funds for the construction OF the power
plants. which in point Of financial return is
more promising than any direct returns that
may be Immediately expected from the water
itself
The opportunity for power development II
an attractive and well nigh invaluable fea'
ture OF the aqueduct project as whole Th'
total amount which may be delivered at 9
distributing voltage in the city equaling ar
average Of so 000 horsepower during the twen-
ty-four hours OF each day, with provision, by
means OF adequate reservoirs above and below
the main power sltcs. making IL possible tc
deliver a maximum Of 1200 900 horsepower. thus
doing away with the necessity for the In
staIlation of steam plants TO provide for the
peak load.
The original cost of $50 per horse power II
very low, compared with the average cost oi
ydro-eectric developments OF this character
being something like one-third. And the cos'
per kilowatt OF electrical energy delivered a.
a distributing sub-station In the city shoulc
be, considerable less than one-half the cost o.
delivering the same from a steam plant Of
like magnitude.
The Significance. OF this power opportunity
in point of advantage TO this city becomes
still more apparent in consideration OF the rae
that It is 30 per cent uore than the tota
electrical energy now used in Los Angeles
Pasadena Long Beach. Santa Monica and ad-
jaoent territory. and that the demand for suef
power is increasing % to so per cent eacf
year 1t is evident that It should not only
guarantee equitable rates for light and power
resulting in large saving to the inhabitants
of the city and in very materially encourag
ing industry, but also yield a large surplus
available for meeting payments on power ane
aqueduct indebtedness as previously stated
The proposed bonds amounting to $500 oO
for power purposes will provide for developing
end delivering amount equal TO about one
third OF the total peak capacity, which wa;
stated above as being 12o 2o0Oo-horse power,
BONDS SHOULD BE VOTED NOW
There are especially important reasons why
the voting of these bonds shall not be de-
layed:
First. It is necessary to PROVIDE Tor aqueuuc'
work at this time in order to avoid temporary
construction past the power sites for the put'
pose Of passing water for aqueduct purposes
only, which work would amount to something
like $3.50 900 and would be of little or no value
after such time as the power plants shall be
installed.
second. 1t is necessary to provide for de
veloping Of such portion of the power at this
time in order that the work may be com
pleted and the city in position to profit by
such power opportunities from the time the
aqueduct is put in operation.
The consolidation OF Los Angeles, winning
ton and San Pedro was authorized by one
of the most decisive votes ever cast by the
voters of this city on any one question, thus
stamping their approval upon the actions o.
their representatives. This union was effected
only after a full and perfect understanding
between the cities concerned therein; the
harbor cities agreeing to surrender their IN
dividuality and full control of their harbors,
Los Angeles agreeing that in consideration
thereof that the consolidated city would ex-
pend $40, ,000.0 900 in the Improvement OF salo
harbors within the next ten years; sS,OOO,oou
10 be provided for as soon after the consoli-
dation as practical. The harbor cities have
fully compiled with the terms of the agree
ment and on Tuesday, the 18th day OF APRIL
1910, Los Angeles must meet the conditions
assumed by her and authorize the 3d. ,00C
bond issue for harbor Improvement, or stand
convicted OF bad faith before the world. and
this Los Angeles cannot afford to do and
we know she will not.
y.os Angeles. by virtue Of this agreement,
is now in possession of one of the future
great harbors of the world, the development
Of which, in connection with the aqueduct
and power plants within a very short time,
means a city with a million population.
Neither of these propositions can be considered
in the light of an Indebtedness that Will
prove burdensome to the taxpayer, for both
are money earners and Will not only take
care OF operating expenses from their earn
ings. but will pay the interest and provide
a sinking fund that Will meet the principal
and will eventually be one of the great fac
tors in the reduction Of taxation.
The history of harbors In their relations 70
municipalities is most fattering, for without
an execution they have proven to be one OF
the greatest assets that city can acquire.
New York is spending 100000 900 to avail
herself Of water transportation that she may
retain her commercial supremacy. Manches-
ter England spent $35, O0O 900 to gain the ad-
vantage of tide water, by which she saved
her commerce and became one of the great
est commercial and manufacturing centers
in the world. Baltimore has been enabled
to rise out Of her ashes and not only retain
but expand her commerce by the improve-
ment of her harbor. Galveston's water ter
minaIs saved the day when complete de-
struction threatened her New Orleans, un-
der harbor development. has taken on a
new lease of commercial life. Salina Cruz
has a harbor costing $3S 600. completed
about two years ago, which Is now paying
interest on the investment. San Diego. IN