Category Archives: City Hall

Emergency Medical Training for Police, Firefighters

Posted on April 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  April 11, 1910: Dr. Charles Zerfing, the police surgeon, wants police officers and firefighters to be trained in “first aid to the injured.” Zerfing also wants an automobile ambulance equipped with emergency supplies, The Times says. Zerfing’s actions come … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, health, LAPD | Comments Off on Emergency Medical Training for Police, Firefighters

L.A. Mayor Drives Electric Car

Posted on April 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Mayor Alexander’s electric car! April 10, 1910: Mayor George Alexander says he’ll still be chauffeured on his official duties but is learning how to drive an electric Waverly phaeton for personal use. The 70-year-old mayor of Los Angeles says, … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, City Hall, Comics, Transportation | Comments Off on L.A. Mayor Drives Electric Car

City Hall Is a Firetrap

Posted on April 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  The 1889 City Hall on Broadway just north of what is now the Victor Clothing Building. Notice that there are no fire escapes. April 9, 1910: A fire that broke out in the janitor’s basement office could have quickly … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, Environment | Comments Off on City Hall Is a Firetrap

Vernon Hog Farmer Accused of Ignoring L.A. Garbage Laws

Posted on April 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  April 7, 1910: A century ago, hogs were fed garbage, and if you had a lot of hogs, you needed lots of garbage. What better way to get it than what was discarded from Los Angeles restaurants?  P.J. Durbin, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Environment, Food and Drink | 1 Comment

In Support of Libraries and Librarians

Posted on March 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Arroyo Seco branch library via Google maps’ street view. Wednesday’s story by Maeve Reston on a proposal to cut hours in the Los Angeles Public Library system mentioned several branches that could be affected, including the Arroyo Seco Regional … Continue reading →

Posted in books, City Hall | 2 Comments

In Support of Libraries and Librarians

Posted on March 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Carolyn Kellogg / Los Angeles Times The downtown public library, which survived a devastating fire, is now threatened with budget cutbacks and layoffs.   The Daily Mirror is a big supporter of libraries and librarians, and we’re utterly opposed … Continue reading →

Posted in books, City Hall | 2 Comments

LAPD Chief Wants More Officers

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

“The Days of Real Sport,” by Clare Briggs.   March 5, 1920: Police Chief Home appeals to the City Council for 300 more officers because so many have been transferred to the Central Division from more rural areas. Recall the … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD | Comments Off on LAPD Chief Wants More Officers

Lummis Quits Library Job

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 5, 1910: This was one of those days when there were too many good stories to focus on one: Charles Lummis resigns as city librarian … a veterinarian's assistant dies a horrible death after being bitten by a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, books, City Hall, Front Pages, Science | Comments Off on Lummis Quits Library Job

Higgins Building to Add Two Floors

Posted on March 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 1, 1910:  Thomas Higgins is adding two floors to his building at 2nd and Main streets. A century later, downtown hipsters will thank him! On the jump, police make a terrible blunder in putting officers in Chinatown back … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, LAPD | Comments Off on Higgins Building to Add Two Floors

New Chief Shakes Up Police Department

Posted on February 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 24, 1910: This was one of those days when it was impossible to pick  one story over the others. New Police Chief Alexander Galloway orders a cleanup of the notoriously filthy City Jail … officials report a new … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, LAPD | Comments Off on New Chief Shakes Up Police Department

Crackdown on Gambling in Chinatown

Posted on February 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 17, 1910: The legal fight escalates between police and business owners over gambling in Chinatown. Note the reference to Sgt. Charles Sebastian, who became police chief in 1911 and mayor in 1915.

Posted in #courts, City Hall, LAPD | Comments Off on Crackdown on Gambling in Chinatown

New LAPD Chief Takes Office

Posted on February 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Feb. 16, 1910: Police Chief Alexander Galloway receives his badge and is told that it will allow him free passage on all the streetcars. The chief says that if a conductor insists, he’ll pay rather than risk getting into … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on New LAPD Chief Takes Office

Businessman Chosen as LAPD Chief

Posted on February 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 15, 1910: Los Angeles gets a new police chief, Alexander Galloway, a former railroad executive with no law enforcement experience. “Chief Galloway is about 55 years of age, of Scotch descent. He is not a typical policeman in … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Film, Food and Drink, LAPD, Stage | Comments Off on Businessman Chosen as LAPD Chief

Mayor Seeks Money for More Police Officers

Posted on February 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Who’s Afraid of Ghost Stories?” by R.F. Outcault. Feb. 15, 1920: City officials say they desperately need more police officers but don’t have the money for their salaries. The Times suggests an answer – in a news story rather … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, City Hall, Comics, LAPD | Comments Off on Mayor Seeks Money for More Police Officers

Officers Suspended Over Prostitution Investigation

Posted on February 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Florodora” is at the Grand Operahouse.   The “Florodora” girls are in town and “A Clubman” catches up with them – or tries to.    Feb. 14, 1910:  Police Officers Bowman and Whaling were suspended after reporting a brothel on Jackson … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Food and Drink, LAPD, Nightclubs, Stage | Comments Off on Officers Suspended Over Prostitution Investigation

Matt Weinstock, Feb. 12, 1960

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

Hollywood Countdown     Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin, retired Army chief of research and development, related wryly yesterday that MGM almost launched the nation's first satellite in 1957.     Producer Andy Stone, he recalled, was bringing out a movie about … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Columnists, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Feb. 12, 1960

Police Commission to Select New Chief

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 29, 1910: The Times reports on possible candidates to replace Police Chief Edward F. Dishman, who was removed without explanation by the Police Commission on Jan. 25, 1910. Dishman was succeeded by Police Chief Alexander Galloway. Galloway … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD, Politics | Comments Off on Police Commission to Select New Chief

Jurors Visit Murder House

Posted on January 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 6, 1960: “Mexico acknowledged the serious problem of illegal narcotics crossing the border and in a major concession accepted a U.S. proposal to exchange narcotics enforcement agents as the two-day conference between representatives of both governments adjourned today.” “Tears … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Comics, Dodgers, Front Pages, Homicide, Politics, Sports | Comments Off on Jurors Visit Murder House

City Council Leaves Office After Three Years

Posted on January 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Times profiles four airplanes that will take part in the upcoming Aviation Meet: the Curtiss and Farman biplanes and the Bleriot and Antoinette monoplanes. Jan. 2, 1910: The entire Los Angeles City Council leaves office after three years. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Politics, Transportation | Comments Off on City Council Leaves Office After Three Years

Minister Vanishes After Predicting Christ’s Return on Christmas Day

Posted on December 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 27, 1909: A mob in Hurley, Va., lynches Henry Pennington after he killed Samuel Baker, who was on his way to a Christmas program with his family. Pennington had run away, but Baker’s wife tricked him into coming back … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Downtown, Food and Drink, LAPD | Comments Off on Minister Vanishes After Predicting Christ’s Return on Christmas Day