Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-16
SENATOR FELroN's vIEws.

Senator FELTON, has contributed his
views to the public upon the best means
OF promoting California's prosperity. He
says the question is more one of trans
portation than anything else. 1t is not
impossible that another competing over
land road would be an advantage, but
how long would it compete? Senator
FELTON, is inclined to the belief that the
roads already in existence could give US
cheaper service if they would do SO; but
as they have not the will to do it there
is no chance for the public to gain from
the existence o. the fact.
The senator then turns his attention
to the value OF the waterways of our
state and to the advantage of our harbor
facilities and their improvement. He
says that very valuable anu consider-
able trade is hampered and rendered
barely profitable for the want of harbors
at various points on the coast accessible
to deep sea vessels, and cites Humboldt
bay, which he says could accommo-
date a great fleet if the entrance
were deepened. The Sacramento
and San joaquin rivers, that drain a
vast wheat region, ought to be made
navigable to their greatest extent. 1t is
fact that these streams, which thirty
years ago were navigated for over one
hundred miles by good-sized boats
are now almost closed to commerce
obnx,a Coorapoopto opd Ctoobton frop,
neglect and the formation OF lmpedi-
mental bars. Ii these streams were
properly dredged and jettied by the
government they would form an incal-
culable relief to commerce.
The senator then treats of San Pedro
harbor. and says:
BY reason of its position this is the
great port for import and export of all
South California not tributary to the
natural harbor of San Diego. When the
government began its work at San Pedro
there was but twelve inches of water
ON the bar at low tide. Now there is
between fourteen and fifteen feet. 1t is
asserted by the engineers. and | believe
them. that from twenty eight to thirty
feet of water can be obtained,
thus opening the harbor to yes
sells of the largest class. The bays
of Humboldt and San Pedro are valu-
able not only for commerce but as har-
bors of refuge. If they were made
available for sheltering any kind Of yes
sells in any weather the rates of insur-
ance would be reduced and an impetus
would be given to trade up and down
the coast.
The whole matter of improving the
ports we have to make them accessible
to deep-sea vessels beomes a mere
question of appropriations and as SEN
ator FELTON, is in position to exercise
great influence in securing them, his
sound and clear ideas on the subject
| give US encouragement that our harboi
wants will be forced pertinaciously upon
the attention of congress by our junior
senator.
AS a corrolary to the development OF
our harbor posi- bilities to the utmost is
9he relation which the opening OF the
Nicaragua canal would bear towards the
enlargement of our maritime CONNER ce.
1t would be very humiliating to the peo-
pie Of this section if the great canal
should be opened to navigation that San
Pedro harbor, for lack of government
aid, should be kept closed to such yes.
sells as will come to this coast
by the Nicaragua short cut. The ef
forts of our representatives in congress
should be put forth with the utmost
energy to secure depth of water thai
will enable deep-sea vessels to enter all
the harbors OF California that the en-,
gineers have reported favorably upon
The opening of the Nicaragua canal is
distined to work great revolution ir
transportation, and it is the duty
of the government to improve
our harbors SO that they NAV
be ready to receive all the pos
sible advantages of the increased sea
ward commerce that will spring up as
soon as the canal is completed The
cost to the government of deepening
the entrance to San Pedro will be as
nothing compared with the advantages
that will accrue to our people and tc
the ships of the world in having O
secure harbor of refuge at this point.