The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-24
STRANGERS
TO truth
Huntington's Tentacles at
Los Angeles Caught
Falsifying.
WHITE SCORES THEM BY
TELEGRAPH.
Refutes Measurements Made by
Corthell Before the Com.
mission.
ARGUMENTS OPENED FOR SAN
PEDRO.
Salt Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Declares for the Free
Harbor.
ARGUMENTS OPENED FOR SAN
PEDRO.
Salt Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Declares for the Free
Harbor.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Dec, 23.-Con
sternation reigns in Huntington's harbor
camp here tonight. When the commits
sioners adjourned yesterdays session it
was understood from Engineer Hood, who
is supposed to have the Southern Pacifics
cohorts in charge, that only few minutes
would be required this forenoon for :hs
introduction OF some purely disinterested
testimony regarding Port Los Angeles as
favorite harbor among seamen. 1t de-
veloped during the examination that all
of these sea captains who made state
ments. with the exception of Alexander
of the steamer Santa Rosa, had, to employ
the considerate and graceful language of
Engineer Corthell. been retained" by
Mr.. Huntington. Engineer Hood assured
the board that Captain Alexander was not
partial to either side, but had come at
"our' request. In order to forestall any
questions or guesswork as to Captain
Pillsbury of the Southern Pacific collier
Mineola, Hood explained that there was
no doubt of the fact that this astuGe sea-
man was in sour service. This Is one of
the few instances where Mr.. Hood was
absolutely certain about anything.
Captain Alexander proved most un-
satisfactory witness for Huntington. Like
Captain Dornfeld yesterday, he disproyed
every statement respecting destructive
southeas.ers IN Port San Pedro. Alexan-
der and Dorpfield agres that the heaviest
winds at both places we're from 'sou SOU
west" Ex-senator Coles discontinue
was apparent while Captain Alexander
was answering questions from different
members OF the board.
Alexander began by saying that he had
been in charge of various vessels up and
down this coast for twenty three years.
When asked about Port Los Angeles, he
said that he had made about 300 landings
at Huntington's wharf, and had always
succeeded fairly well in discharging pas
sengers and freight-"but, of course said
Alexander, ''it is not like San Diego One
time nv lines parted, and 1 was delayed
more than once, perhaps, in receiving
freight"
AS to San Pedro, the same was true,
except that vessels like the Santa Rosa
anchor at the latter place. He had al
ways found holding sufficient in the outers
harbor at San Pedro. When asked to
compare the different ports he said that
Santa Barbara was the best and safest at
all times. In thirteen years he had never
failed to make landing there. Port Har-
ford was good, too, but he had been COM
PEELED few times to pass that port by on
account of rough seas-never Santa Bar
bara or Port Los Angeles. AS to Redondo,
he had been compelled to pass that port
few times only, and then on account of
west winds. A stitied litter went around
the room when Captain Alexander was
asked where he would have built wharf
along this southern coast. His suggestive
reply was, .Where l had the most in
terest."
Captain Johnson of the steamer Whites
boro, lumber carrier, was the next wit
ness. He had landed some twelve times
at Port Los Angeles and had never ex-
perienced any accident. He had landed
half dozen times at San Pedro. His YES
sci is of 145 tons and draws thirteen and
half feet loaded. 1t carries principally
railroad ties for the Southern Pacific. He
had never experienced currents at Port
Los Angeles.
Mr.. Hood here announced that two
other captains, not in the railroad en-
ploy, were not on hand. and he would not
hereafter expect to present their testi-
mony.
Captain Pillsbury, the next witness, salA
his marine experience on the Pacific Coast
covered period of four years. He had
never had any trouble landing at the
Huntington wharf. On November % last
there was heavy gale in Santa Barbara
Channel, but the landing was made in ex-
ceIlent shape. He had never landed a