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Letter to City Council

Los Angeles, California, August 1, 1929.

To the Honorable, the Council of the
City of Los Angeles.

Gentlemen:
The Board of Water and Power Commissioners herewith submits its
Twenty-eighth Annual Report, covering the activities of the Department
of Water and Power for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929.
The continued growth of the city, as reflected in the demands for
water and electric service, has severely taxed the resources of the De-
partment of Water and Power. The abnormally low rain and snow-fall
during the past winter, has seriously affected the city's water and hydro-
electric power supply for the coming year. At the same time, additions
and betterments to the water and electric distribution systems, are not
keeping pace with the city's growth, because of limited finances. Finan-
cially the Water and Power Systems are in a sound condition, and earning
substantial surpluses. These surpluses are, however, far from adequate
to meet the demands for additions and betterments to the Systems.
On November 1, 1928, the second reduction in rates for electricity in
eighteen months was made by the Bureau of Power and Light. This
meant a saving of $700,000.00 annually to consumers served by that
Bureau.
After more than fifty years of service with the Water Works System
of the City of Los Angeles, Mr. William Mulholland resigned as General
Manager and Chief Engineer of the Bureau of Water Works and Supply,
on December 1, 1928. Few men are privileged to serve in one institution
for half a century, and none have ever played a more important part in
the growth of any city, than Mr. Mulholland. His great vision, and dare
to do the seemingly impossible, enabled him to carry to successful con-
clusion, the greatest project of its kind, making it possible for the City
of Los Angeles to be what it is today. The Los Angeles Aqueduct is a
lasting monument to a great genius, and a great man, who has earned a
well deserved rest, and who has the good judgment to enjoy some of the
fruits of his labor before it is too late.
Reference is hereby made to the reports of the General Manager, and
Controller, for full data and statistics, concerning the operation and
financial condition of this Department.
The Board takes pleasure in expressing its appreciation of the splen-
did co-operation and service of heads of departments and employees of
the Department of Water and Power.
BOARD OF WATER AND POWER COMMISSIONERS,
OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES,

By J. R. RICHARDS, President.