Daily Los Angeles herald., 1881-01-23

ioR map; Dub Wo9IQ 0tet0 tnet the
ehsnnel has been much improved
and deepened since the map was
made. We also refer you to the
reports and surveys OF the engi-
nsers now ON file in the War De-
partment.
9th. When the work was COM
menced the bar had upon It only
eighteen inches Of water at low
tide. 1t 10 now dsepsned to ten
feet by the work already done.
The engineers In charge say that =
depth of at least seventeen feet
may be opened through the bar,
and they further state that ell
work done is permanent, as the
tide will keep open the channel
when once cleared.
9Th. The channel ~ now opened,
although it 10 already Of great use,
is still too shallow and too narrow
for the needs of the commerce of
the port, all the heavier vessels
having still to lie without the bar
In the open roadstsad, exposed to
storms, and transhipping their
freight by tedious and expensive
system Of lightefage. AT times
csinmunication IL entirely cut OF
with the shore; and vessels are frs-
| quently forced to abaadon the
Anch orage and run out Wsea. In
this lighterage work six men have
been drowned within the past
week In crossing the bar. The ex-
pense, the delay and the dangers OF
this lighterage system have been,
and are still, q heavy and grisvous
burden upon the commerce of the
country.
7th. With the completion of the
present work ships will be enabled
to enter the harbOr and lie along
side the wharves.
8th. The natural grades of the
continent make Wilmington har.
Dor the practical Pacific ocean ter.
minus Of the whole southern trans
continestal system of railroads.
Immediately back OF 1t lies the
San Gorgonio Pass, crossing the
Sierra at an elevation of only 2700
feet, the only true pass In the
whole line of that range. The
routes of all these southern trans
continental roads lead below the
snow line. Wilmington and New
Orleans are the natural termini Of
the shortest southern transconti-
mental road. The connection from
Wilmington harbor through. to the
East by the Southern Pacific and
the Atehison, and Topeka roads 10
now almost made.
9th. The engineers in charge say
that the plan of Development Of
Wilmington harbOr which they
have been following 10 now tested
until 1t is proven to be a success;
and that with money more rapidly
supplied the work might be pushed
to completion within a compare
lively short time, instead of being
allowed to drag slowly along for
years.
10th. Among the reasons which
we urge for o more liberal policy
upon the part OF the government,
and for rapid completion of the
work, are these, viz: First-The
pressing needs of commerce; the
present system Of lighterage invol-
wing an actual money tax upon
the business Of the country yearly
Of about $12O, ,000-this in addition
to the losses from delay. These
delays and the expense incident
to shipping grain and produce
through an open roadstead, have
for years retarded the development
Of this southern portion Of Califor.
mia, which is by nature one OF the
most productive regions Of the
whole Pacific Coast. Second-The
dangers of damage to the present
work while left exposed to storms
In an unfinished condition. Third
The work can be more economi.
eally done with money supplied
rapidly enough to push 1t at once
to completion than II 1t 10 left to
drag along year after year. Fourth
The intimate relationship which
the port Of Wilmington must bear
to the whole southern trausconti.
Mental system OF railroads, to which
allusion has already been made,
and the rapidly approaching com.
pletion of these roads render 1t
highly important that the harbor
should be put In the best possible
6n0U0 WlVhOuV 0Ct6ys no
more quickly the work can be com.
pieted the sooner will the capital
now lying invested In 1t become
productive.
In conclusion, We would say that
we believe that few government
works have ever been carried on
more economically, more honestly
or with greater results to show for
the outlay of money than this.
This, too, is the only work for
which we have ever received u dol.
lar from the government.
We would, therefore, because Of
the vital Importance, of this UNDER
taking to us. earnestly pray you to
grant at least the sum of $500, 900,
which amount the government en-
gineers in charge of the work say
can be advantageOusly used during
the ensuing year.
Very Respectfully,
P Banning, w WOOdworth,
b Cohn, J.C Harmon,
J P Widney w H Perry,
John Mansfield, JF Crank,
I w Hellman, A Glassell,
J 8 Slausop, q Wiley Wells,
J E Hollenbeck, J g Downey,
IR Dunkelberger G e Thorn,
Judge Y Sepui. Judge V e How
veda, ard,
J r Toberman, H Newmark,
II w Hellman, J M Gri fifth,
A Lothian, w GKerckhoff,
e. F. Spence,
Chairman.
Mr.. Perry moved that the Secre-
tary be authorized to af1x the sig.
nature OF each member Of the
Committee to the memorial.
Adopted.
On motion, the Secretary was In
structed to have 1000 copies of the
memorial printed for transmission
to the Senators and Represents
tivss In Congress and for the use OF