The herald., 1896-04-25
huntington 5 HARbOR
Will Not Be Completed
Without a Struggle
senator WHITE COMES FORWARD
With the Promise of a Minor
ity Report
TO FIGHT THE WHOLE BILL
Rather Than Permit the Making oi
Unrecommended Appropriation
Point Blank Refusal to Support the Bill
in the Senate
Senator Nelson Proposes to Submit the
Whole Matter to q Disinterestcd Com
mission To Be Discussed
TO FIGHT THE WHOLE BILL
Rather Than Permit the Making Of
Unrecommended Appropriation
A Point Blank Refusal to Support the Bill
in the Senate
Senator Nelson Proposes to Submit the
Whole Matter to Dislnterestcd Com
mission-TO Be Discussed
on Monday
Special to THE HERALD.

Special to THE HERALD.
WASHINGTON, April "a. - Senator
White is doing his utmost to defeat the
Huntington steal which was agreed on
in the commerce committee yesterday.
At the session of that committee this
morning he announced that he will pre-
sent minority report on the bill, and
would fight the entire bill rather than
that the appropriation for Santa Monica
harbor should be admitted in the face
of reports of the army engineers. He
said that the bill in it's present shape
was in danger of being vetoed by Pres
ident Cleveland, on account of the large
amount of continuing contracts in it.
If such action was taken by the exec
utive, it would only be in line with his
often repeated expressions that he did
not believe in appropriating such large
amounts for the purpose of improving
the rivers and harbors of the country,
which the financial condition of the
country would hardly justify.
The fight has become so vigorous that
Senator Frye, chairman of the commit
tee, declared that he would not take
charge of the measure on the floor Of the
senate when it comes up for considera-
ton unless every member of the com.
mittee agreed to support it, This Sem
ator White absolutely refused to do,
and Senator Nelson of Minnesota sug-
gested that the whole matter be re-
ferred to a board of disinterested per-
sons to decide which harbor was enti-
tied to an appropriation. Senator
White said that there had already been
two reports against Santa Monica and
in favor of San Pedro, and he was will
ing to leave the matter to the considera-
ton of another board, he felt so conf
dent that it would be in favor of San Pc
dro. Senator White also suggested that
this need not delay the bill, as provision
could be made for one harbor, and di-
rection could be given the secretary of
war to use the money for the construc-
ton of the harbor favored by this ar
bitration committee. No action was
taken by the committee, however, and
an adjournment was taken until next
Monday.
The senate committee on commerce
spent the greater part of the session to-
day considering the problem of deep
water harbor for Southern California It
either Santa Monica or San Pedro, with
a view to harmonizing the committee
and securing a substantial agreement.
Several compromise propositions were
discussed. While none of them Were
acted upon, there is probability that
the entire matter may be placed in the
hands of a commission. 1t is yet uncer-
tain whether, if this solution is accept
ed, any appropriation will be provided,
but some members of the committee
advocate the policy of allowing the ap-
preparation as made yesterday to stand
subject to favorable reports of the COM
mission.
The proposition for commission was
made by Senator Nelson, who said he
was acting as a disinterested senator
only that he might offer q solution
of the difficulty. He suggested that the
proposed commission be composed en-
tirely Of men who had not acted upon
any of the commissions heretofore ap-
pointed upon the subject, and it should
be made up of an engineer of the army,
q member Of the coast and geodetic sur
vey, and civil engineer.
Senator White responded that he
would be willing to accept the sugge-
stion, but Frye and Jones, who are fa-
vorable to Santa Monica, said they
would prefer not to consnder the Ques-
tion until Monday.
1t is understood to be Senator
Whites intention to introduce minor
ity report, in case no compromise Is
effected in committee.
A large number of kilograms have
been received during the day by mem-
bers of the committee from residents OF
Los Angeles, advising that the appro-
priation decided upon by the commit