The herald., 1894-04-07

location. The distinguished West Point
gentlemen, whose opinion IS so often
quoted in favor OF San Pedro, are doubt
less skilled in all military matters their
education is in that line. but when 1t
comes to engineering for commercial
purposes their judgment is not to be
com mpRred with equally learned civil
engineers. The army officers spent
week or more in Los Angeles in
duiring about the harbor. gath
ering information, such as they
could, from various sources, and in
some instances from men less informed
than themselves; then they promulgate
M opinion. 1t is now assumed that such
opinion is entitled to more weight than
that OF civil engineers of the highest
reputation, who have spent months, II
not years, Investigating the subject, and
who have proved their faith by con-
structing most magnificent Commercial!
wharf at Port Los Angeles.
II this harbor questionis to be deter
mined upon engineering skill and expe-
rence, then Santa Monica has a decided
advantage. since the opinions that favor
that place are OF practical character
and have been backed up by works. l
would not disparage our army engineers
this kind the views OF strictly civil en-
gineere are greatly TO be preferred.
Observe the difference in results be-
tween the work of Eads at the mouth OF
the Mississippi and that OF military en-
gineers at the port OF Galveston. 1t is
but natural that mistakes should occur
in river and harbor work when carried
on by military men, but such mistakes
are not looked for in civil engineers.
1t is believed by many that the re-
commendation of the army engineers
will prevail in reference to the loca tion
OF this harbor, but as a matter OF fact
there 10 no rule or law which REQ uires
either house OF congress- or any COM
gress to follow the report OF such en-
gneers IN making Appropriations for
river and harbor work. Sensible con-
gressmen are quite as likely to take the
opinion OF non military or civil en-
gineers in matters relating to commerce.
]. S. sLAUsoN.
Mr.. Slauson said II think too much
Importance has attached to the report oil
government engineers. The soundings,
currents and muds can be ascertained
and understood by any reasonably intel
ligent engineer. | should think the
| luF6hbiuk eO hh Luct
have ct Redondo and Santa Monica
would be quite sure to have obtained
quite as correct data as to these matters
before making their outlays as could be
obtained from government engineers.
"My judgment is that we have beth
too partisan in the location OF harbor.
What Los Angeles nseds aud wants is a
harbor for its commercial interests and
if left free from the opportunities OF in
terested persons and companies would
be satisfied with San Pedro. Redondo or
Santa Monica, always hoping the best
place would be selected by our govern
ment.
''It seems to me the time has about
come for calling a halt on this strife for
particular place or location.
The time has come for united
action of our citizens in urging our wants
upon congress-, leaving congress to fix
the place and let the private interest
(Which they will he sure to do) fight as
much as they choose among themselves,
but we stand as unit for a harbor
without urging any particular point"
CARL sELIaMAN.
Mr.. Carl Seligman of M. A. Newmark
& Co. said:
"With regard to the hsrbor question,
sEbIssct ssutficient study to pronou noe
positively in favor Of either ci the com
peting points, San Pedro or Santa Moni-
ca. Each site possesses certain advan-
tages, and the subject should be consid-
A cred from q military and engineering as
we'll as from com mercial point of view.
The last is the only. one that we could
claim any familiarity with, and so re-
| 1sa1f 1f.urr. =, - II 4
with the idea that both harbers are es-
sential for us-the one to serve traffic
coming from the north and the other
that coming from the southland that
both will be eventually completed and
protected.
1--WE believe, also, that the COMPETE
tive interests of the railroads in this
part of the country necessitate such du-
plicate accommodations and will be sat
isfied with no less, and that a present
decision in favor of either is therefore OF
email consequence"
t. D. sTMsoN.
Mr.. T. D. Stimson expressed himself
as follows: Al to my opinion on the
harbor question, l am in favor OF all
places for harbor, but think it best to
stop contesting for any particular point.
All hands urge on congress our needs,
but leave 1t to congress where it shall
be.
1t is not the business OF our people to
conform their action to the wishes of
any interest or place. but to act unitedly
for hsrbor aud let the controlling
power, namely, congress, fix the point
for doing it where they think best.
Rx COUNCILMAN TUFTS.
Ex Councilman Tufts said: The bet.
ter plan is to get the appropriation first
and then settle the site. If we settle on
the site first and then try to get the ap.
propriation it will cause the defeated
candidates to work against getting it..
Let us work for the means first and
leave the selection of the site to be de.
termined later. This will cause all the
candidates to work together, and that
is what is neediul to get appropriations.
W. II. MAURICE.