Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-24
A FINE PROGRAMME AT SANTA MONICA
CANON.

luS hthALD 4Ohe oeO ONsH~~
plans which were being formulated by
the Southern Pacific railway for the i'm
provement of the Santa Monica road
stead. When this journal first an
nounced that this company was to
build great wharf at that place our
statement was sneered at by our con-
temporaries. Slowly they had to come
to a realization of the fact that the
HERALD, as usual, was right.
On the 9th of the coming February
the Southern Pacific railway will make
a detailed application for a franchise
for their wharf at the santa Monica
cafion. We have been permitted to
look at a profile of this map. The
wharf will be one of the longest OF
which we have any knowledge. In
fact, it will probably be the longest
in the world, being 06O0 feet in
length. That it will be of very cub
stantial character goes without say
ing, as it will cost $4,000. 1t takes
an oblique course from the starting
point, the evident intention being to
take advantage of the utmost possible
protection afforded by Point Dune. A
glance at the profile shows that about
three-quarters of its length from the
shore, the six fathom line is reached.
From that point outward the depth
varies to a very trifling extent, the
soundings showing thiity-nine feet at
the end of the wharf.
To those familiar with the topography
of the roadstead of Santa Monica it
will be seen at glance that the only
| interruption that might be experienced
in the transaction of large commercial
business at this point would be from an
occasional southeast gale. The wharf
of the Southern Pacific is planned on
such splendid scale of expense as to
lead to the supposition that that COM
pany contemplates the doing of an i'm
mense business at this point.
The truth of the matter is that the
Southern Pacific Railway company
realizes the Importance of the move
ments which have in view the
creation of harbor at San Pedro
both by government aid and
ON the south side of Rattle
snake island by the Terminal people.
They have played tie last card, and
they are playing it for high stakes.
With wharf under the shadow of Point
Dune, they have of course incaiculable
advantages over all rivals. A ship can
arrive in the still waters of that portion
of the roadstead and discharge freight in
Los Angeles while other vessels are
rounding Cape Vincent to enter the har
Dor of Wilmington. They have the same
advantage over Redondo Beach that tha
point has over San Pedro.
There is no question of the fact tina
Immediately upon the action of th'
board of supervisors on the petition o
the Southern Pacific railway, which
action will of course be favorable, worl
will at once begin on the wharf, and j
will be pushed to rapid conclusion
The legal time for perfecting the appli
cation will throw the matter over til
the 9th proximo. The board OF super
visors does not meet until the first Mon
day in March; the application will un
doubtedly then be made and granted
8 and work will begin in earnest.
AS this new movement OF the South
ern Pacific probably means real compe
! tition, we can reasonably look TO
/ cheap coal, and cheapened transporta
. ton generally, between Los Angeles an
, northern ports. twill largely extend tn
tributary territory which the merchant
of Los Angeles can supply with lumbe
{ and other heavy staples. Doubtless tb
policy of the railway company will be 8
!. framed as to make this wharf, whicl
a they are building at such a great ex
; pense, a leading factor in the busines
life of Southern California.
, Meanwhile Santa Monies cannot fai
q to profit by the new deal. The Souther
4 Pacific is noted for the rapidity of it
. work when it once starts out. Thre
months will be ample time in which
! build the new structure; and, by ths
time, the summer season win have be
. gun. Take it for all in all, everythin
! looks auspicious for the City by the Sc.
I A period of prosperous gales seems
4 have set in for our charming marin
: neighbol.
i