This is a bond certificate from the City of Los Angeles Water Works, issued in 1941 and cancelled. It has been signed by the 32nd Mayor of LA, George E. Cryer. 

Mayor Cryer’s time in office was marred by numerous corruption allegations, with critics accusing him of being little more than a figurehead for bootleggers and organized crime. At the center of these claims was the so-called "City Hall Gang," an influential network led by political kingpin Kent Kane Parrot and vice kingpin Charles H. Crawford. Many believed that Parrot, not Cryer, was the true power behind the scenes, effectively controlling the Harbor Commissionand the Los Angeles Police Department. By 1927, mounting tensions with Parrot, along with a growing recall campaign, forced Cryer to announce that he would not seek re-election.

The City of Los Angeles Water Works Bond of 1941 was part of a broader effort to expand and modernize the city's water infrastructure during a critical period of growth. By the early 20th century, Los Angeles had transformed into a rapidly growing metropolis, driven by migration, industry, and a booming population. To meet the increasing demand for clean, reliable water, the city invested heavily in its water system

In the 1930s and 1940s, Los Angeles needed to support its growing urban population and industrial expansion. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), established in the early 20th century, played a central role in these efforts.

In 1941, the city issued bonds to finance improvements to its water works. These municipal bonds provided the necessary capital to build reservoirs, treatment facilities, pipelines, and other essential infrastructure to ensure a stable water supply.