Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1896-05-15
THE SCHEME IS EXPOSED
SANTA MONICA HARBOR PROJECT
SHOWS UP HUNTINGTON.
Both California Senators and Gov
eminent Examining Boards OPP
posed to the Location.

its attention to the accumulation Of minor
and harbor bill.
Senator Mitchell OF Oregon gave notice
that when the last appropriation bill was
passed he would press the joint resolution
for the election of senators by the peo-
pie, not for the sake of having further
speeches. but of actually adopting the res
olution.
bill was passed to establish a CLASH
ication division In the United States pat
| ent office, granting permission for the
| erection of a monument in Washington in
| honor of Samuel Hahemann and appro-
| priating $4,000 for the foundation.
| The river and harbor bill was then taken
| up, and on point of order by Senator
| German the committee amendment was
| struck out providing that all persons en-
| ployed on river and harbor works shall
| be selected and hired by officers of the
corps of engineers in local charge of those
works in order that officers may be held
| to strict responsibility for the proper ex-
| ecution of the work in their charge.
The following individual amendments
| were made:
BY Senator Gray-To permit retired ar
my officers to engage in river and harbor
works
BY Senator Carter-For a dam across
the Missouri river at Stubs Ferry to de-
yelop water power.
BY Senator Lodge-For a survey of the
Portland channel, Alaska.
This disposed of the entire bill except
the reserved amendment for a deep water
harbor at the port of Los Angeles, Santa
Monica bay. California. and authorizing
contracts not aggregating 81, 99S 900 for
the work.
A Lobby scheme.
vigorous contest was promised on this
item the two California senator's, White
and Perkins, being opposed to it.
Senator White offered an amendment for
the creation of board of three officers
to report on the relative merits of Santa
Monica bay and of San Pedro harbor for
the purpose of deep water harbors.
Large easels were brought in the senate
and maps of the Pacific coast placed on
them. With pointer In hand Senator
White called attention to the main points
of contest.
The senator said the people of the coast
wanted good deep water harbors. Most of
the harbors were poor ones. That at San
Diego was too remote for a large element
OIL commerce. This demand for better har-
Dor facilities led to the development of
the santa Monica project, and Senator
Jones of Nevada built a railroad from Los
Angeles to Santa Monica with a view to
ultimate eastern extension. But the road
fell into the hands of the Southern Pa
cific railway.
Senator White then pointed out that a
npir ho1
ed San Pedro as the desirable point for a
harbor, and that this recommendation was
endorsed by Chief Engineer easy.
An objection was made to this report
and through the efforts of Senator Frye
another, headed by the present chief of
engineers, was appointed. Three points
Redondo, Santa Monica and San Pedro
commended before this board, each element
being ably represented. the Southern Pa
enc railway being represented by one Of
the best lawyers in California. This
board, made up Of eight of the foremost
engineers Of the service, recommended
san Pedro harbor When this report
came before congress nothing was done.
Taking up the present status, Senator
White urged that the Representatives from
the Sixth California district did not ask
for the report inserted In the bill for a
harbor at Santa Monica and said the over
whelming sentiment of the people of the
locality was against 1t.
Senator White commented upon the lex
traordinary and peculiar" conditions by
which the senators and local representa-
uves from California were not consulted
as to the proposed appropriation. 1t in
dicated that some extraordinary infiu-
ence had been brought to bear" The SEN
atOr commanded on the icta ~
the Southern Pacific railway and declared
that this accounted for the extraordinary
action.
Senator White spoke of the surprise with
which he learned that the paragraph for
the santa Monica appropriation had act
ually been printed for Incorporation in |
the river and harbor BILL although the
understanding had been that there should |
be no appropriation beyond that for the |
inner harbor at San Pedro.
The senator commented severely on a |
communication from 1.-THE third house."
written by Civil Engineer Corthel an |
employe of the Southern Pacific railway. |
The senator repudiated the claim by |
Corthell that he made an official inyes-
tigation at the request of senators and |
members 1t was Huntington whom he
served, and yet. Senator White said, 1.-THE
NoiiiHiietec hdu set dSlue the recommended
tons of the army boards and had ac-
cepted the recommendations of paid en-
ployes of the Southern Pacific Railway
Company"
Senator Gray asked II there was not
some official recommendation in favor of
the Santa Monica harbor.
None on EARTH" answered Senator
White, land Furthermore this appropria-
ton of s3,09S0O0 is proposed without an
estimate or recommendation"
Senator George added further questions
DO l understand" he asked, that two
boards of army engineers sworn to the
performance of their duty. have reported
against the appropriation which the com
nittee recommends to the senator"
You do"
And do I understand that the two
California senators and the representa-
Ives from the district oppose the appro-
'riation which the committee recon-
nend?"
Yes"
rs 1t fact that no evidence exists In |
avor OF the project except that of the
wo men in the employ OF the Southern |
'acific railway?'
senator White answered that others had |
lVen their own opinions and views but
mere were no other professional engineer
1g reports.
Senator Bate added that he understood
hat the commercial bodies of the locality |
'ere opposed to the Santa Monica site.
AT this point Senator White yielded. to |
on tomorrow, and the senate ad-
burned.