Semi-weekly herald., 1914-04-16

Late IN the AFTERNOON, OIL 10 tne
northwest, we saw cloud, not deep,
lying on the ocean, with bright sun
hour the atmosphere grew very cold,
and we were surrounded on all sides
and above by fog so dense that the
ship slowed down and the electric
lights were turned on, and the whis-
tie blew a blast every few seconds.
This was a fog at sea and we could
only see few feet in any direction.
One can easily realize how without
the greatest precaution, collisions
could occur or small crafts be run
down.
If we could only "see ahead" Twen-
ty years ago today l was in Los An
geles and went out to West Lake park
then being graded and streets laid
out. A subdivision was just laid out
at the west side of the park and two
or three residences built. We came
near buying some lots. Today the
park has great palm and eucalyptus
trees, one might think half century
old and the open country space be-
tween here and the city is solid
town and far beyond, also. A lot is
worth fortune. l recognize but one
building in all the city-the old City
hall.
1t may interest your readers to
compare some prices. Meats are dear,
but oranges such as we get at home
are from five to ten cents per dozen
or twenty cents per bucket full if
bought from peddler. Grape fruit
is twenty five cents dozen or thir-
ty cents for extra large ones. Cali
fornia canned apricots and peaches,
10 cents. Restaurant board is about
the same as in Denver. Room rent is
also about as cheap.
The city parks do not compare with
the city parks in Denver, but of course
the trees are semi-tropical in species
and flowers are found in profusions
in all seasons, but the upkeep is not
so good.
What the pedestrian is to do in the
near future in our crowded cities is
a puzzle. Now on many of the streets
of Los Angeles it is contest, al
most struggle to cross over the
blockade of street cars going in both
directions, with moving line of
autos interspersed with teams and
heavy trucks, and the interstices fill
led with human footmen. The con-
tinual anxiety, strain and eternal Wig
lance will eventually change our
mental makeup.
One sees more unemployed on the
coast than any place have ever
been, but the climatic conditions per-
nit of form of existence here not
possible in the winter season east.
If necessary the tramp can lie down
under tree for home, but he must
eat here as elsewhere.
The exposition buildings at San
Diego are commendable in size and
structure, and are nearing compile
ton, so there is no question but they
will be ready for opening next year.
The New Mexico building is up but
the stucco is not yet on.
The future of this little city of San
Diego is assured when the Spreckles
road is completed to Yuma, for this
harbor is one of the best on the coast.
This town has many fine homes built
by retired men of fortune.
We were not favorably impressed
with the quality of the soil. The land
is either too hilly or too swampy, and
the soil of texture and composition
requiring lots of commercial fertili-
zer. 1t does not compare with the
first fifty miles south of Los An
geles, or the thousands of acres of
land in Northern Arizona, if water
could be had in Arizona.
1t is said that everybody and every
thing can be found in California. We
met, on board the ship, several men
who had been driven from their
homes, farms and mines, well down
on the coast of Mexico. They all say
that it is fine country, if under a
stable form of government, but claim
this will never be with self-govern-
ment. The people are too shiftless.
These people were pre-emptorily told
to leave, and apparently for no other
reason than to confiscate and appro-
PIRATE their property, as there has
not been much fighting on the west
coast.
San Diego harbor is full of United
States warcrafts and some are at San
Pedro also.
We remember ten years ago, the in
ception of the st. Louis, Rocky Noun
tain and Pacific railroad and had
great hope Of some real benefit to
our part Of the country, but nothing
seemed to come of it. On the way out
on this trip. however. in looking over