Great shot!

Kevin at LA Observed has found a great photo of the City Council & their chambers in the 1930s.

What's interesting is that for over 70 years, the City Council had their backs facing the public. Not until the City Hall was restored in 2001 did the "horseshoe" get turned around as city government became more focused on the populace. This physical change was symbolic of the way the City would function in the future: with the citizen as the focus of the legislation and City service. Or, at least, that's the way it should be.