The herald., 1895-03-07


! thus reducing the cost of handling freight
to a minimum, the location selected for
| such should be at the nearest point to
Los Angeles so that time as well as cost
can be reduced and viewing the situa-
! ii ON from a commercial standpoint they
are of the opinion that Santa Monica
offers to the merchant the advantages
"Santa Monica being protected from the
| effects of severe winter gales by land
points heretofore mentioned, would, with
| the assistance OF a breakwater be doubly
protected, whereas port unprotected
| from wind would only be benefited in
protection from waves by breakwater.
nThe holding ground at San Pedro is
good, believe all the sea captains &C.
knowledge this, but it is not perfect.or the
/ best, owing to he rocky bottom. In
places where there is mud and sand it is
! good, but there are number of locations
where rocks appear VIII CHI are disastrous
to anchors during heavy winds. A. prac-
teal deep water harbor can be construct
ed in Santa Monica bay, and at no more
expense than one at San Pedro enclosing
the same deep water area.
Mr.. Brown then spoke as follows:
Under ordinary circums tancers would
be loath to discuss harbor proposition,
but the relative merits of the two promi-
nent locations for the proposed deep sea
harbor for Los Angeles have been set
lOItH III every llHdS lIdDit Sudpc- iii re-
ports and resolutions and papers-until a
widespread and deep interest has been
created among all classes, and even one
not specially trained in harbor work may
be excused for having an opinion in the
matter.
Without presuming to discuss the rela-
tive merits of the two locations, or the
special features presented by the papers
of this evening, it does appear to me that
these papers, taken in conjunction with
the report of the Board of United States
Engineers, and the paper of Mr. Corthell,
read before the Senate Committee on Com
merce, demonstrate the fact that rea-
sonable amount of money will secure a
reasonably good deep sea harbor at either
Santa Monica or San Pedro, and that the
comparative merit of the two sites is not
far apart.
"If this be true. then the inner harbor
factor of the problem rises into promi-
nence.
'The possibilities of Wilmington lagoon
in this regard, it seems to me, have never
been sufficiently discussed. The material
is soft and seasly dredged. 1t could
largely be used in building entertainments
and filling in reclaimed land.
There is no river bringing in a con-
tinual deposit of sand, tending to ill up
rience shows that depth once dredged
here is maintained and even increased by
the action of present tidal prism.
The broad fiat expanse of the sur
rounding country makes access easy for
as many roads as choose to come and
seems perfectly adapted to the purpose of
docks, shops, shipyards and other APP
pendages of commercial harbor.
II am impressed by the statement con-
tanned in Mr.. Hawgood's paper, that
with an expenditure of about half
million dollars channel twenty five feet
in depth and 500 feet in width could be
opened from the pier heads of its pro-
posed harbor to the town of Wilmington,
and that the scour of the increased tidal
prism due to this channel and to the
dredging of basins would hold that depth.
If this is true, it occurs to me that here
is a magnificent opportunity for Los
Angeles to show the faith that is in her,
and that this county should do something,
as I am informed Portland, Oregon, has
done, that is organize for the purpose
and carry out the work independently OF
the Government. The development of
this inner harbor would certainly be
enormously profitable, and it can be ex-
tended as the needs require.
With the completion of the Nicaragua
Canal, and | am sanguine enough to be-
lieve that it will be completed before
many years, | expect to see develop at
this place the greatest commercial city
OF the Pacific Coast.
steamships Will 10 lIle STedUeT part OF
the commerce of the future, and no
steamer runs 5000 or 10000 miles without
needing port of call. The sailing line
from the China and Japan ports to the
western end of the Nicaragua Canal will
pass not far from our deep sea harbor,
whether at Santa Monica or San Pedro,
and with che facilities afforded by tle
transcontinental roads centering here,
and the vast network of our interior dis
tTihuting system, the development of
great commercial center is certain.
SIT is for these reasons that I regard the
possibilities the inner harbor as of para
mount Importance.
Southern Pacific and Terminal roads
monopolized all the frontage OF San Pedro
and he failed to see what chance there
was for another road to get it.
The Chairman-The right of eminent
domain would dispose of that matter.
Charles Forman said that he firmly be-
lieved that in a few years the Nicaragua
Canal will be completed and that then the
commerce of the Pacific will be greatly
inceased. He said that he would ike to
know what facilities either Santa Monica
or San Pedro offered for the building of
ship yards, machine shops and docks.
X. II. Wade of the Santa Fee system
was present and he was called on. He
said he would much sooner not discuss
the subject, but that he had one or two
ideas upon the subject under discussion
which he did not mind mentioning. He
said that he favored San Pedro on ac-
count of the great possibilities of its inner
harbor. He said that his company had
had an experience with an inner harbor
at San Diego and that they had had
ample room for anchorage and docks.
The entrance is 800 feet wide and ships
can readily enter at all times.
He referred to the building of the Man
chester canal, whereby it was made posi-
BILE to take ships into the city of Man
chester. He said that it cannot now be
told what the future may do for Los An
geles in this respect.
He claimed that it had been stated by
Mr.. Swayne that other roads besides the
Southern Pacific could get into Santa
Monica, but it had not been definitely
pointed out how it could be done.
With San Pedro as harbor, freight can
be more cheaply handled than can be
done at Santa Monica.
"If at Port Los Angeles, said he, IAN
outside company was handling the bust
ness and collecting tolls, the plan of a har
Dor at Santa Monica would be more teas-
ibe. For a moderate expenditure more
harbor can unquestionably
be built at San Pedro.
at has already been shown" concluded
Mr.. Wade, "by the money already ex-
pended by the Government that harbor
is now at San Pedro and the docks there
are a paying investment.
with the outlay now proposed better
results can be accomplished with larger
of rapidity.'
Rn n nd ha