Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1883-07-10
Remarkable Promptness.

1t affords us profound happiness to be
able to chronicle prompt action on the
part of the government in the affairs of
Los Angeles. The little yawl which the
boarding officer uses at San Pedro in
boarding vessels, having been found un.
suitable to so outside the harbor in
rough weather, and having on some oc.
casions been attended with extreme
peril to the men in charge, application
was made to the Treasury Department
more than six months ago, to allow an
expenditure of $3.50 for the purchase of
q suitable boat and fixtures and some
other needful appliances used by the
Collector of the Port, Mr.. John R..
Briefly, and his employees. The case
was one of urgent necessity and re.
quired prompt attention. No answer
came for two months, and another let.
ter was sent to the. department urging
tho necessity Of the expenditure. Finally
in March the Treasurer replied that the
Government would order national YES.
sd sent here to examine the merits of
the case, and report through the
commanding officer in relation there.
to. After another two months
the vessel, trim Revenue Cutter, arrived
in San Pedro, differed and manned at
loud expense, and the gentlemanly Com.
mander examined the little cockle-shell
craft that Captain BARGE used to roll in
over the breakers. General Briefly
informed the Commander that he had
been to San Francisco and found just
the boat he wanted, trim cedar craft,
with live oak timbers, which could be
purchased for sl65, and leave Ss5 to get
the necessary appliances and fixtures used
by the officers in the discharge of their
official duties.
But the Commander said that his
orders did not embrace the purchase of
boat, but the advertising for sealed pro.
posals for building boat suitable to the
service. This would cost $50 to adver.
tise in San Francisco, and then the build.
ing of boat, under the inspection Of q
paid Government Marine Inspector,
would probably cost in the aggregate
$500 more. To this, add the cost Of
sending o steamer from San Francisco
to San Pedro and return, $500
more, and we find sl050 expense.
which could have been equalized by
common business sense in the purchase
of boat for Sl65. Such economy and
promptness cannot be too highly com.
mended. 1t shows the great intellectual
power Of the chief of the Treasury De.
partment, and how much he cares and
sympathizes with the people of Los An.
geles. His noble efforts should have
fitting recognition. Also the prompt
action of the Postoffice Department In
giving us a new postofice and free de-
livery of letters These little attentions
to the wants OF our city and har-
Dor are SO admirable that the
people of this city. in the language Of
Watts his name, are
Lost In wonder, love and praise"
A medal should be struck with fac
smile of the yawl upon it and the cost,
"SI, $50; time, ten years." engraved
upon it. Who dares to say that we are
not great nation' The reporter of the
HERALD has chip on his shoulder in
defense of the great chief of the Treas.
ury Department, who takes care of our
interests 50 truly. There may be a
moral in this story, but there is no room
for it ia this column.