The San Francisco call., 1896-04-25
Suggestion for a Commission to
Examine the Rival Deep
Harbor Sites.
SENATORS WHO ARE ON GUARD
Little Chance of the Refunding Scheme
Passing Congress at the Present
Session.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. April 24.-There
was another protracted session of the SEN
ate Committee on Commerce to-day, at
which the San Pedro and Santa Monica
deep-harbor site was discussed pro and
con. The meeting was lively, not to say
acrimonious; but finally a spirit of COM
promise was manifested. 1t vas proposed
that commission be appointed to visit
San Pedro and Santa Monica harbors and
report to the Senate which site was better
adapted for deep-sea harbor. Senator
White said that he could not perceive the
necessity for this, inasmuch as three
different boards had already been ap-
pointed and each one had decided in favor
of San Pedro.
1t was then suggested that the amount
required to complete the Santa Monica
outer harbor improvement be included in
the river and harbor bill, with proviso
that none of this money be expended until
the commission to be appointed had re-
ported that the project was desirable and
feasible.
Senator White asked that the matter go
over until Monday, so that ample time
might be given the committee in which to
carefully consider the matter. There are
indications that the vigorous opposition of
Senators White, Vest, Berry and others is
beginning to make itself felt. Huntington
and his man Boyd haunted the Capitol
corridors as usual to-day, but they were
not as confident OF success as they ap-
peared yesterday. Indeed they are appre-
hensIve that Whites hostility will yet
defeat their schemes. The old railroad
mandate and his faithful retainer went
about with downcast faces, and it was ap-
parent that Mr.. Huntington was dis
beartened. He begins to look careworn.
a San Francisco newspaper has can
vassed among the Senators and Repre-
sentatives in order 10 gain a consensus of
opinion as to the fate of the funding bill.
This work seems to be altogether super
fuous. There is no chance for the funding
bill to pass either the Senate or House at
this session or at the next.
Every one who understands the situation
here appreciates the fact. There is not
the remotest chance for the bill to pass the
Senate. Three or four Senators could oc-
cupy enough time in speech making to
weary" that body, and it is patent to all
that the Senators are eager to adjourn.
Even if the bill came to a vote it is exceed
ingly doubtful if it could pass. The same
is true on the House side. The Represen-
tatives are eager to get back into their dis
tricts. Selfish considerations actuate them
They want TO look after their fences.
Nine out of ten are adverse to the consid-
Grafton of the funding bill at this session.
But even if it is considered it cannot pass
The odious features of the funding bill
as well as the Vaccinations of Hunting
ton have been so thoroughly exploited that
there is not the remotest possibility of the
bill passing.
1t is yet matter of considerable doubt
as to whether the funding bill should be
taken up in the House at this session.
There are daily conflicting reports as to
this. One member of Congress stated to
the CALL correspondent tonight that
Speaker Reed was opposed to its consider
alton al this time, but Chairman Powers
of the Pacific Roads Committee is quite
positive that Speaker Reed will vote, as
member of the Committee of Rules, to take
the bill up. Mr.. Powers so stated to the
CALL correspondent tonight.