The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-06
HIS COLLAR ON.
Mr.. Huntington's Friend
Frye.
TRUE TO HIS MASTER.
Talking in Favor of Santa Monica
Harbor.
NO GOOD IN SAN PEDRO.
The Bottom of the Sea Is SflaIe and
the Southern Pacific Abandoned
the Place.
Special to THE MoKNINe CALL


which there is not some matter before Con-
gress pertaining 10 the Southern Pacific
Railroad Interests, and their agents here.
Phil Thompson, Juhn Boyd and Others, not
only get in their fine work when matters OF
vital interest to the people of California are
pending in the Senate and House, bnt they
also practice in the departments.
The Senate had under consideration TO-
day subject Of great interest to the entire
Pacific Coast. namely, the construction of a
deep-water harbOr.
Mr.. White OF Louisiana reported res0lu-
tion providing that the Commerce Commit
tee be authorized and directed 10 sit by
subcommittee, not exceeding five in num-
Der. during the recess of Congress and TO
visit ard examine the Pacific Coast between
Points Duma and Capistrano, with view
to determine the best location for the con-
structi0n of a deep-water harbor. The sub
committee was also authorized to visit and
examine such other works of river aud har.
Dor improvement on the Pacific Coast ex-
listing or rOposed, as in their judgment the
interests OF commerce shall demand, and
shall have power to subpoena witnesses, 10
administer oaths and take testimony. 10 en-
ploy stenOgraphers and to appoint ser
ge6nt-at-arms from the messengers of the
Senate, the actual necessary expenses to be
paid cut of the contingent fund of the
Senate.
The discussion following the introduction
of this resolution was listened to with great
interest by number of Californians who
happened to be in the galleries at the time.
Senator Frye was, of course, found on the
side of Mr.. Huntington, aud be said: For
the last eight or ten years there has been
very strong pressure brought upon the Com
mlttee on Commerce to provide hdeep- water
harbOr between tile two points named in
this resolution, or between San Francisco
and San Diego. there being no deep water
harbor in that whole distance, In the
neighbOThOod of 1000 miles. a commission
OF army engineers was appointed at the re-
quest Of the committee, which made some
Investigations aud submitted report that
there were two ports in that stretch-Santa
Monica and San Pedro. The railroad lines
were all at San Pedro, with large invest
ment of money, but Santa Monica was a
point nearer to Los Angeles, and to some
seemed the better of the two points for a
harbur.
"An examination of the reports OF the
engineers shows that while they determined
In favor Of San Pedro. II was not decisive
action on their part, and the matter came
again before the committee. In the mean
time had been over on the Pacific Coast
myself, and had Investigated, with all the
care could, these two points. and had come
to the conclusion that Santa Monica was n
very much better place for a deep-water
harbor than San Pedro. The result was
that when the matter came before the COM
mittee the committee was again divided,
f.I NJ tipo al boi
commission of five engineers az pointed, who
made an examination and united in report
in favor OF San Pedro. But still, on reading
their report, it is not in my judgment de-
cisive.
THE construction of this deep-water bar
Dor will cost the United States So, 100000.
Itis of the utmost Importance that it shall
be located at the right place. My Judgment
is that the testimony of all the employees of
the toa.t survey should be taken on this
question, and that tie testimony of ship
owners and ship-sailors should be taken. l
believe that il the committee does investi-
gate, 1t will report unanimously that Santa
Monica is the point at which this deep
water harbor should be located.
"Only three weeks ago there was lre-
mendOus storm on the Pacific Coast, and
every vessel was compelled TO leave San
Pedro. and yet though it was n prevailing
storm from the southwest. at Santa Monica
there was not the slightest disturbance
whatever. l said that the railroads all
centered a San Pedro and owned property
there. The Southern Pacific Railroad COM
pany had an enormous Investment at San
Pedro Of about S1,000,000. Within the last
two years the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company has deliberately deserted its in
vestment at San Pedro, and has gone up to
Santa Monica, and has spent several hun
dred thousand dollars In building a wharf
there. There you have practical men who
have examined into this matter, and have
determined to sacrifice several hundred
thousand dollars at San Pedro, and who
have gone and chosen their harbor at Santa
Monica.
''Ihe Committee on Commerce reported
and the Senate passed bill looking to tho
building Of canal from Lake Washington
to Puget Sound, which will cost another
$3C00,000. My Judgment was then ana is
now that the necessities OF commerce will
not require ono dollar of that expenditure.
| wish the subcommittee of the Committee
on Commerce TO investigate that matter
and to be able to report to the full commit
tee at the next Congress whether or not an
expenditure of S2.eo0.0OO or $4,000, 900 for
the building of a canal in the interest of
commerce is necessary"
Mr.. Sherman said: "Mr. President, 1t so
happens that l have been Mt both places,
Santa Monica and San Pedro, and there
have been pointed out to me the advantag
and disadvantages of both. 1t seems to me
that it is question of engineering rather
than question of Congress ional investiga-
ton. While 1t may be pleasant Journey
for committee OF this body to visi. these
important points, for they are both impor-
tant, believe that the opinion of engineers
taken from the army and navy should
govern. There are skillful men in both
branches of the service and to follow them
would be n much more safer action of Con-
gress than to depend upon an examination
conducted by five or six Senators. | think
that this resolution had better go over. If
we see proper to have committee of Sena-
tors appointed. let there also be attached to
1t engineer officers TO look over the ground
at the same time and to give In formation
and advice, so that we may have the benefit
of their experience in the investigation by
the Congressional commi tee.
$50 far as l know the reports of the
engineers have been in favor Of San Pedro
all along. As The Senator himself said, tho
last report made by five army engineers
was in favor of San Pedro. think, there
fore. that if there is to be commission ap-
pointed it ought to be well organized and
composed of all branches Of the service, in
cludng members OF the Commerce Commit
tee and army and navy engineers. Then
we may secure information upon which We
can rely"
Senator Frye said: 1--WE have all the in
formation now that the army engineers can
give us. IL the Senator will take the pains
to read the two reports which have been
made by them he will find that on almost
every question there is balance in their
minds and that they leave the question in