The San Francisco call., 1896-01-25
INTERESTS THE COAST,
Mission of TREY L. Ford to the
National Capital in Behalf
Of the Miners.
Representative Bowers Urges the Com.
pletion of the Jetty at San
Diego Harbor.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 24.-Tirey I.
Ford, representing the California Miners
Association, arrived in Washington to-
day. Mr. Ford said to THE CALL corre-
spondent tonight that he had not as yet
mapped out any plan OF campaign, but
would await the action of the California
delegation.
II am here as a representative of the
miners of the Pacific Coast and will do
all in my power to advance their inter
ests," he said. 81 will wait on Commits
sioner Lamoreaux and Judge Best of the
General Land Office, and have every reason
to believe that We will be successful in our
Efforts
He stated that California is practically
united in favor of the bills and hopes to
find a united delegation here. If they
will not work together he promises to
make his stay here short. He wili..at once
begin the work OF interviewing the mem
bers of the delegation to ascertain how
they stand on the question.
Representative Bowers appeared before
the House Rivers and Harbors Committee
to-day in support of his bill making an ap-
preparation for the completion of the jetty
at the mouth of San Diego harbor. He had
maps and photographs, and showed con-
clusiyely by reports of contracts already
completed the extravaganza of small ap-
preparations in such work. With an ap-
preparation of $10o, 900 rock was put in
place at cost of 81 90 a ton, while with an
appropriation of only $50, 900 it cost 81 10 a
ton. The stated cost of the ietty was
$500, ,0G0; 100000 had been appropriated
and expended and $500 feet of ]etty built
leaving about $500 feet yet to be con-
structed. He was certain that if the $780,
600 estimated by the engineers was allowed
it would be sufficient to complete the pro-
lect. But if work must drib6le along for
six years more the cost would be increased
from $50, 600 to S750 900.
Senator Perkins to-day introduced a bill
to reorganize the Alaska customs service
BY the present law vessels going into
Alaska waters are obliged to call at ports
of entry, though an extra journey OF 500
miles or more may be necessary. This is
in many cases not only great hardship,
but entails expense, and some times spe-
cial permits are applied for to enable ves-
sells to avoid these often useless calls at
points where customs officer is stationed.
The bill introduced by Perkins gives
authority to the Secretary of the Treasury
toissue permits whereby vessel may clear
Tor any Alaskan port without first going
to port of entry.
Authority will be given customs officers
TO SO clear vessels under certain conditions.
Although the Secretary OF the Treasury
has authorized vessels to so proceed, he
has done SO reluctantly, as the law had to
be stretched to do so. The present bill
will give him the needful authority to
consider cases where observance with the
law would be hardship.
Some time ago Senator Perkins wrote
Supervising Architect Aiken, asking how
much should be appropriated by Congress,
In order to furnish him assistance, that
the San Francisco Postofhee plans might
be completed and building commenced.
This letter was written as the result of an
interview Perkins had with the architect,
at which Aiken said lack of assistance
was the cause of delay.
Perkins proposed that he would intro
duce bill in Senate and urge it through
Congress to appropriate money to furnish
him assistance in preparing plans and
erecting building, as was done In the case
of Chicago's building. Perkins prepared
his Dill. and has been waiting for Super
vlsing Architect Aiken to inform him how
much money he would need for an assist
ant Mr.. Aiken has not as yet replied.
The President to-day received delega-
ton of marine engineers at the White
House. j. ]. Searey of San francisco Will
lead committee to appear before the Sem
| ate Commerce Committee tomorrow. 1t
is understood that President Cleveland
favors their biN INTRODUCED by Squire) re-
curing that engineers shall be American
citizens