The San Francisco call., 1896-04-24
Provisions Stricken Out in the
River and Harbor Bill
Are Restored.
THREE MILLIONS FOR THE WORK
California Congressman Who Will
Continue to Fight Huntington on
the Floor of Both Houses.

WASHINGTON, D. c., April 23.-The
Santa Monica job has been put through
the Senate Committee on Commerce. The
matter came up for consideration at to-
days session of the committee, and by q
vote of 9 to it was agreed to put Santa
Monica and San Pedro both under the
continuous contract" system; in other
words, the provisions which were stricken
out of the river and harbor bill in the
House Com hittee are restored. An ap-
preparation of 100000 is made for the
outer harbor at Santa Monica, to be i'm
mediately available, and continuous con-
tracts are authorized to complete improve
ments at Santa Monica constructed by
Southern Pacific engineers, which will
eventually cost 100000. The total
amount provided for (under continuous
contract) in the House bill for Santa
Monica was 81, 800, but the Senate Com
mittee will even exceed this amount and
make the total reach something over three
millions. San Pedro is to get her appro-
priation of $392, 900, 600 (under continuous
eontractl as originally provided for in the
House bill.
There was full attendance of commit
teemen present when this agreement was
reached. Those who were unalterabIy op-
posed to the Santa Monica appropriation,
and who voted against it, were White of
California, Vest of Missouri, Berry of
Arkansas, Caffery of Louisiana, Nelson of
Minnesota, and Pasco of Florida.
The meeting was a spirited one, and
those opposed TO the Santa Monica ap-
preparation did not mince words in de-
he sn6
crediD of the result belongs chiefly to
Frye of Maine IHuntington's friend), who
is chairman of the committee, and who is
the author OF a Pacific roads refunding
bill, and Senator John P. Jones of Nevada,
also a member of the committee, and who
(as is we'll known in California; has large
real property interests at Santa Monica
Senators Frye and Jones have been work
ing increasingly for Santa Monica for four
or five years, assisted by Huntington and
his railroad organized lobby in Washing
ton
There was a merry time.in the commit
tee to-day and Senator White and others
stated emphatically that they would use
their best efforts to defeat the appropria-
ton on the Senate floor, while Berry of
Arkansas and Vest of Missouri said that
there was no shadow of excuse for making
an appropriation that had not been asked
for by any one of California's Senators
and Representatives in Congress with pos
Sibly the exception of Grove Johnson, and
which had never received the sanction of
members of the War Department. They
quoted from the reports of three boards of
engineers in favor of the improvement of
San Pedro's outer harbor as against that at
Santa Monica. Senator White give notice
that he would make a minority report.
and Berry of Arkansas intimated that he
would join his colleague.
Frye, the chairman. when he saw that a
storm was gathering about his head sought
to temporize and said he did not want to
report the river and harbor bill to the SEN
ate if it could not be done unanimously.
White, Berry ana Vest declared they
never would consent to agree to such re.
port. Chairman Frye then requested that
the matter go over until tomorrow, when
the committee could further consider the
Santa Monica appropriation. This was
the understanding when the committee
arose, but nevertheless, Senator White,
realizing that the committees vote will
stand, is preparing his minority report.
which Senator Berry and probably others
will sign. White will make vigorous on
on the bill on the Senate floor and
will be supported by Berry, Vest. Nelson
Caffery and Pasco. If the Senate passes
this appropriation it will then go back tn
the House for concurrence. II the House
in this and other Senate amend
ments the matter will be ended, of course
but if the house non-concurs, committee
of conference of three members will be an
pointed to treat with three members from
the Senate.
The Senate conferees will certainly be
favorable to Santa Monica, and at least
two of the House copferees, viz: Hooker
Of New York, chairman Of the Rivers and
Harbors Committee Of the House, and
Catchines of Mississippi, will vote for it.
so 1t will be seen that there is no chance of
securing a conference committee opposed
TO 1t, and the only chance of defeating the
appropriation viii be on the floor of the
senate or the House. Mcguire. Bowers,
barham and possibly one other California
member will fight this item tooth and nail.
Mcguire Is now preparing his speech.
The attitude OF McLachlan is in some
doubt He declares emphaticaIlv that he
never asked for any appropriation for
santa Monica, but his position is an un-
ortunate one. Ii he opposes an appro-
oriation OF $3,O0O.000 FOR his section he will
Dc condemned by Santa Monica's ad-
lerents, while if he favors it he will be de- |
lounced by those who are opposed to the |
OF Huntington. He is verify |
between the devil and the deep sea.
His position will probably be a passive |
,ne, feeling that he has already done his |
luty by telling the Commerce Committee |
le desired no appropriation for Santa |
fouica McTachlar Is nafuraltv ,,o+;eo7 |