The herald., 1893-02-05
SAN PEDRO HARB0R.

Senator Matthews has telegraphed to
Secretary Willard of the chamber of
commerce that the senate has passed
the concurrent resolution asking con-
gress for an appropriation for San Pedro
hsrbor. This is what ought to be ex-
pected. Our San Diego neighbors have
made themselves ridiculous by their &C.
ton in this matter, and they are left by
this official action of the whole people of
California in highly undignifed and
isolated position. In this connection it
gives US pleasure to note that Congress-
man Bowers, Indifferent as many sup
posed him to be to any city but that in
which he lives, had the manliness to
rebuke the chamber of commerce of San
Diego for its sectional and selfish atti-
tude in this matter. This action of the
legislature, which will Of course be
warmly seconded by Governor Markham,
greatly improves the chances OF the pass
age of the bill putting San Pedro on
the continuing contract list for $3,000,-
600, and sppropriatipg 5000 900 by the
present congress as beginning. Mr..
FELTON, has expressed great confidence
in his ability to get the bill through at
the present session. There ought to be
no real difficulty. A great many per-
sons otherwise well-informed have an
idea that artificial harborH can subserve
none OF the great needs of commerce.
This is based on remarkable misap-
prehension of the real conditions of COM
merce. The harbor of Cherbourg is a
purely artificial creation. 1t was begun
under Napoleon the third at an expendi-
ture of upwards of sixty millions of dol
lars. This was a famous instance of the
continuing contract system, although it
was not known under that name.
Havre is substantially an artificial
harbor, and 80 is Marseilles, aud Liver
pool may be added to the list. The
immense shipping business of the
Republic of Argentine-a business much
larger than that of San Francisco--is
done through the medium of artificial
harbors. The Pacific coast of the
United States, being almost destitute OF
harbora, they ought to be supplied by
the government. 1t will not hurt the gov
ernment of the United States to return
to California some of the immense sums
it has drawn from this state. Six mill
lion dollars ia a sum none too large to
devote to creating harDor in front OF
Los Angeles, which, by the way, will
give the country the shortest line from
Pacific to Atlantic tidewater within the
territorial limits of the United States.
That it will result in prodigious in
crease of business, which would quickly
recoup the outlay, cannot be doubted
by any intelligent person.
Under the circumstances it is the
duty of all California communities to
work for the securing Of this appropria-
tion. All local iealousies and selfish
considerations should be put to one side,
and we should all pull together for the
common good. There is not commu-
nifty in Southern California that would
not be benefited by the expe nditures OF
these large sums of government money
at San Pedro. They would create
grand transcontinental business at that
point, which would give great impetus
to settlement. 1t would in no wise in
jure Long Beach, Redondo or Santa
Monica. At the two latter places pri-
vate enterprise has already undertaken
colossal improvements and will see to it
that they are carried out. Long Beach
would directly benefit by the harbor;
and even San Diego would feel the
quickening inau,nce OF such move
ment. With long pull, strong pull
and pull altogether. the appropria-
tion may be obtained.