Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-04-30
wasted sympathy.

The San Diego County Star, in its last
issue, sheds tears over the fate of poor
Los Angeles, and sympathizingly says:
"But why, at this time, does Los Ange-
les extend a begging hand to San Diego!
Because San Diego will Soon have in her
hands the key to the railway system Of
this State, and because the "money-in-
the-mud" at Wilmington has proven a
total failure for the protection of her
commerce. which the present winter has
clearly demonstrated, and which she
herself has acknowledged, and now asks
for rail connection with San Diego via
Santa Ana, and connection with the CAL
ifornia at San Bernardino, that she, too,
may become attached to. this competing
system; and that she may at some time
in the future be left In the lurch by the
Southern Pacific cutoff through the
Cajon Pass. We gladly welcome Los
Angeles TO the fold, and the more. the
merrier; but we have waited and worked
q long time to gather her in, but we al
ways knew that she would have TO come
to the Harbor Of San Diego"
The gushing sentiment Of this extract
is refreshing. Tie idea that Los Angs-
les desires the California Southern K. R.
is very curious. The road is partially
destroyed, has never paid expenses, is
never likely to, at least for rs years, and
has been offered for sale at less than
cost. By the time the road is repaired
it will cost so much that the stockhold-
ers can whistle for dividends. Los An.
geles wants railways that are built on
such grades and curvatures that they
can be operated with ease and safety
with the largest cars and longest trains.
Experts who have examined the Cali
fornia Southern, state that its cufves
and grades must be changed before il
can be operated successfully. As the
situation now stands, there are no pur-
cbasers for that railroad in this part Of
the country at half Of its cost. Los
Angeles, with five railroads, is moi
pining for another road, aud al
long as the Port Of San Pedro, can, with
its numerous wharves, receive the CIR
goes of over 400 vessels per annum,
the people Of Los Angeles will make ne
effort to get an additional port, but will
improve that which they have already.
The cost of the breakwater and the
dredging, at San Pedro, is a mere
bagatelle to that which is paid for the
improvement Of rivers and harbors on
the Atlantic coast, while the business
of the port is constantly increasing
Los Angeles is not seeking for another
harbor, but is only desirous Of having
the present harbor improved as it should
be. The harbor Of San Pedro has not
s.proved failure" as mentioned in the
Star. On the contrary vessels in San
Pedro Harbor can load and unload and
arrive and depart during more days in
the year than the land-locked harbor Of
New York, which is considered very
excellent harbor.
The "cut of in the Cajon Pass" il
another bugbear that has no terrors fol
the business men Of Los Angeles. They
feel assured that no railroad company
will spend $4,000, 900 to build rail
road from San Bernardino to the
Needles, and it cannot be done for less
while there is an opposition railroad
already made. and disposition among
the people in Legislative assembly t.
limit and prescribe the rates of farel
and freights. All railroad making hai
been suspended in California, on account
of the disposition of the Legislature t.
manage the affairs of the railways
Where there is such an enormous out
lay Of capital there must be some chanc
to get interest ON the investment to in
duce the capitalists to put their none.
int the enterprise. No man in hi
senses will believe that railroad tina
would cost SIS, 100000, equipped witt
rolling stock and supplied with depots
from the Needles to San Diego. woul'
pay the interest on the investment
The distance is about $50 miles, and TO
the most of the way lies through
desert. The railroad from San Diego t.
the Needles must wait yet for man.
years.