The herald., 1895-01-01

The people OF Los Angeles, although
Chagrined and disappointed at their
failure to secure an appropriation to
begin the harbor work, we're neverthe'
less glad to discover that the controversy
was In fair way to receive its final
quietus. When the secretary of war
announced his appointment and it was
observed that the commission contained
only men of the very highest standing
in ability and reputation, a general aie n
of relief went up to think that now at
last the question was to 60 to court
from which there could be no appeal.
and that whatever way their decision
went the appropriation would in all
probability follow soon after.
The chambe of commerce took action.
advising that the citizens OF Los An
geles preserve neutral position and al
low the quetion to be decided strictly on
its merits, as to the comparative value
of the various sites. Il was generally
agreed or understood among all parties
to the controversy that when q decision
was once reached, all should work with
hearty enthusiasm for the fortunate To-
cality.
The commission came to the coast in
September, 1892; they visited and care.
fully examined both bays, and made q
thorough study of the charts prepared
for their use BY the coast engineering
corps-the correctness OF which has
never been questioned. On September
8th, the board gave q public hearing at
the rooms oil the chamber of commerce,
at which full expression OF the views
of all persona interested In the location
OF the proposed harbor was in
vited. Twenty people were heard
and cross-examined at this meet
ing. ship captains. pilots, engi-
neers and old resident of the various
localities. On September 8. special
hearing was given to engineers and other
representatives of railway companies
having interests in this vicinity.
At these meetings the Southern Pa.
cific showed its hand very plainly. Its
engineer, Mr.. Hood, was on hand to
find the statements made in his tele-
gram to Senator Frye utterly refuted.
The local attorney OF the Southern Pa
cific appeared, ostensibly for the people
OF Santa Monica, but really to look out
for the interests of the road-an entirely
different proposition, il the people OF
the CITY by the sea did but know it.
Every possible effort was put forth by
the Southern Pacific road TO make the
engineers and the public believe that
their sudden change of front from San
Pedro, where they had operated for
years, to Santa Monica. whore 20 years
before they had torn down their wharf
as useless in such an unsafe harbor, was
due entirely to dssire to secure the
most available harbor facilities for the
road, wherean everyone suspected then,
and was soon after to know for certain,
that the cole reason was the presence of
active open competition in San Pedro
and the certainty of absolute monopoly
at Santa Monica.
The board rendered it's report in Oc:o-
ber, 1892, and it was unanimously, en-
aud unequivocally in favor of
San Pedro on every count. The South
ern Pacific has frequently been caught
declaring with brszsn impudence that
the report merely claims that San Pedro
is the cheapest place to build the barbor.
Cheapness is only one of half-a.dozsn
items in favor Of San Pedro set forth in
the report. n