The herald., 1895-05-25
Visited and Studied San Pedr0's
Harb0r Yesterday
IS ,FAvORABLY IMPRESSED
W Visited the "Pretender" at ''POrt'
Los Angeles Tuesday
esnparisons Are Odlous.-San Pedro and the
South Have Gained Another Friend
In Washington

y Senator William B. Bate OF tennessee
and party looked over San Pedro harbor
yesterday morning and the senator wcs
very favorably moved in its favor.
The party left in the special car at IL
4. m. from the Terminal depot, and pro-
ceeded at an easy speed through the hills
and levels SO that General Bate might
view the country around. Superintendent
r. B. Burnett pointed out the objects of
interest along the line, and T. E. Gibbon.
Telfair. Creighton and W. H. Workman
explained the historical and commercial
importance of the country.
Nearing San Pedro day, Mr.. Bate was
given fine view OF Point Firmin and
great steam schooner plowine along to-
ward the harbor. The inner harbor was
spread out in all its wasting expanse, and
= small steamer stranded on the tide
aptly illustrated the benefits OF the pro-
posed dredging. Down by the mole waited
the launch that was to convey the party
around the harbor, but the senator was
satisfied with the view from the dock. n
big three masted steamer lay at the sea-
wall, and u mum ber of three -masted lum-
ber schooners were dischargng cargoes.
Soaooners. sloops and small craft OF
every description dotted the waters. a
OIIk HOubSu ldLllN VII tHo posOih Va ~ q
inner hai bor. a sharp breeze blew from
the northwest. but the harbor was as
smooth as a pond. 1t was good day to
illustrate the advantages OF San Pedro.
From the mole the gentlemen pointed
out the bounds that form the harbor and
an animated discussion Of the locality,
its unQuestioned advantages ana supe-
riofity and the prospective appropriation
and Improvements. General Bates eye
instantly took in the strategic Importance
Of the location, and Senator Bate saw at
u glance that San Pedro is the real Port
Los Angeles and that the pretended is
delusion and snare.
With a mind to future discussion. he
inquired of directions, depths, tides and
storms imports, exports and terminal
facilities, ownership of lani and water
front advantages. And as the whole OF
San Pedro's superiority as a harbor un-
folded before him. 1T was plainly to be
seen that in the vernacular. the es-
teemed excellent bathing resort over the
hills would not be in it when the matter
came to vote in the senate Il General
Bates judgment would sway the sena-
tors.
He studied the present COVER nment
works carefully. anu from his long and
varied experience he readily grasped the
points involved. and his practical in
terrogations enabled the gentlemen to
clue date fully. The senator asked to be
supplied with charts and map of the
bay, with which to complete his study.
Tbe reach from Dead Man s island to the
Point and the length and depth along
the water front and the breakwater along
Ratticsnake island to the inner harbor
were also commented upon Eand the mat
ter OF dredging the channel and inner
harbOr was discussed thoroughly. The
senator admitted its easy feast biity and
its indubitable excellence as magnifi-
l.. ~.
agingiy, in fact. OF all the advantages of
San Pedro. but automatically sustained
his senatorial dignity and gracefully de-
clined to prejudi.e himself by an opin-
ion.
But said he to The Herald, "the
two harbor propositions are before us,
and anyone can judge" And The Her
ner significant enough to warrant the con-
clusion arrived at.
(which site do you prefer, senator, ami
which would you favor before the SEN
ate?"
81 regret, sir. that I cannot con-
piled the senator, chewing the end of his
unlightod cigar. I'm the first place. sir.
am out here in California for my pleas
uIe. | am wishing my daughter, and l
have no desire to speak on any political
question. l visited all the government
Interests in San Francisco bay. and
visited Santa Monica bay Tuesday and
San Pedro bay today because they are
matters of public interest. l held it my
duty to make these visits while able to
do SO, that might be intelligently in
formed regarding them.
As a senator. to whom the question as
to choice ef harbors may be submitted
cannot. sir. prejudice my vote now. You
may say that | am very favorably i'm
pressed with San Pedro. and that
consider that Los Angeles fayors it,
nine men out OF ten.
The Nicaragua canal will do wonders
for this western coast, and my record
stands for 1t that favor the canal under
ownership and control of the United
States.
"Your postoffice here has attracted nv
attention by its utter inadequacy and
general shabbiness. That matter Of the
fetleral building shall be attended to.
81 am surprised and pleased sir, at the
development of California since nv visit
here in 1889. l have enjoyed this visit
very much and shall return to my home
with every kind remembrance of your
state.''
Senator Bate is visiting his daughter.
Mrs. o: W. Childs. while enjoying South
ern California. Personally he is most in
teresting gentleman, now gray and portly,
but showing in his appearance and manner
the young south who fought so GAL
lantly in the lost cause. He was born in
Sumner county. Tenn, 81 years ago, and
has been in public life ever since be ar
rived at mature years. The citizens OF
tennessee twice elected him to the high
Office Of governor. During the war Re
followed his state, and rose to the rank OF
general, commanding division at the
close.
. Sweet violets
4lSN shaaA fo-a,:4.