The San Francisco call., 1896-12-19
No Appropriation Can Yet
Be Secured for Goat
Island.
Meanwhile Additional Boys Are
Being Enlisted in the Navy
for the Training School.
Preser walton of Forests in the Cali.
tornia Government Reservations
Is Being Urged.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 1s.-The
commission to set apart land. on Goat
Island for the naval training station has
not yet made Its selection, and in conse-
quence nothing can be done at present to
secure an appropriation for its establish
ment. In the meanwhile, however, Ad-
miral Ramsey. at the solicitation OF Sem
ator Perkins, has made arrangements for
an increase in the enlistment OF boys.
The admiral states that it is the intention
of the department to transfer the boys
now on the Independence. 100 in mum Der.
to the Adams, which is now on her way
from Honolulu, and use that vessel as
cruising and training ship. This will give
an opportunity for 100 more boys. When
this change can be accom- plished, orders
will be issued 10 Mare Island to continue
enlistments until they have 100 more boys.
Increased interest is being manifested in
California as to the preservation of for
ests in Government reservations. The
Engineers and Architects Associa-
tion of Southern California and the Sierra
Club have brought the matter to the atten-
ton of Senator Perkins, whose aid has
been solicited. He realizes the Importance
of the question and will endeavor to
secure legislation that will remedy some
of the evils now complained OF. The con-
nection between forest preservation and
irrigation in California is fully realized by
the California delegation.
The Agricultural Department has
placed at the disposal of Senators a large
number of packages of flower, vegetable
and field seed, which will be sent out soon
after the first of the coming year.
The Chief of Engineers has submitted to
Congress report OF the Major Davis corps
OF engineers on the preliminary examina-
ton of Sulsun Creek, California. Major
Davis reports that an examination of the
creek shows a tolerably wide and deep
slough with several shoal places, generally
at the bends. The river is navigated by
small fat-bottomed saillng-vessels of
about eighty tons, carrying only freight
and drawing about five feet OF water, which
depth can carry them all the way to the
dock into town at high tide. In front of
the towns docks the fats are bare at low
tide. The naphtha launch was unable to
land on tine return trip of Major Davis.
At some points there are sharp turns, he
says, anc sailing vessels under headway
are in danger of running aground by get
ting ont OF the channel particularly
where the latter is narrow, and may have
to wait twelve hours for rising tide.
Those interested in the improvement of
the stream would be satisfied with prac-
ticable navigable depth of eight feet,
which could be secured at slight cost by
dredging a few places, cutting off one
point and making a cutoff through the
bend. The town has issued bonds in tae
sum of $4,000 for the construction of
water works, and contract has been let
for the work. 1t is claimed that beet
sugar factory will be started when the
works have been completed.
A further examination of the creek will
be necessary to determine the cost of
improving it. Major Davis, while not
committing himself positively in an opin-
ion that the creek is worthy of improve
ment, thinks it seems to warrant further
examination and recomme nds survey at
a cost of $500.
Colonel Suter, the division engineer and
Chief of Engineers Craighlll indorse the
recommendation of Major Davis.
Representative McLachlan of California
john H. Lille of Los Angeles.
Titus Hale has been commissioned Post
master a. Marcuse. Cal.
Pensions have been granted as follows:
California-Additiona II. Covey,
Los Angeles; Charles Green, San Fran
cisco. Mexican war survivors, increase
Samuel w. Boring, San Jose.
Oregon: Orignal-Jacob E. Smith,
Grants Pass; William Allen King, Oak
Washington: Reissue-Thomas Il. Pix
ley, Tacoma. Original widows and or
WaIla; Catherine Meyer Vancouver.