Omaha daily bee., 1896-05-09
OPPOSE DEEP SEA HARBOR
Santa Monica Project Denounced as a
Southern Pacific Job,
SENATOR WHITE MAKES A STRONG SPEECH
River and Harbor bill Completed In
the senate Except for This One
Reconsideration for Popu-
lar Election.

WASHINGTON, May S.-The rivers and
harbors bill was completed in the senate
today. with the exception OF the item for
a deep sea harbor on the Pacific coast. This
aroused keen opposition, the two California
senators opposing the proposed contract APP
preparation of $3,O9S, 900 for a harbor at
Santa Monica bay, on the ground that it is
a project fostered by the Southern Pacific
as against public sentiment and the recon-
mendations of two boards of army engineers.
Mr.. White Of California commented on the
extraordinary conditions by which the com
merce committee Of the senate was forcing
an appropriation on a state against the
wishes of its senator's. representatives and
people.
with the bond question out Of the way,
the senate gave its attention to the accumu-
lation of minor measures before going on
with the river and harbor bill.
Mr.. Mitchell gave notice that when the
las. appropriation bill was passed he would
press the Joint resolution for the election of
senator's by the people, not for the sake of
having further speeches., but of actually
adopting the resolution.
A bill was adopted authorizing the Sioux
City & Omaha Railroad company to construct
a railway through the Omaha and Wine
bago reservation in Thurston county, Ne
braska; to establish a classification division
in the United States patent office; granting
permission for the erection of a monument
at Washington in honor Of Samuel Hahne-
mann and appropriating 1000 for a founda-
ton.
The bill for the erection Of a bridge across
the Detroit river at Detroit was postponed
until next session, on the request of Mr..
Sherman and the assent of the Michigan
senators. Mr.. Sherman stated that there
would be strong opposition.
The river and harbor bill was then taker
up.
The amount for the Sioux City revetments
Of the Missouri river was Increased from
$40. 900 to $50, 900.
On a point of order by Mr.. German, the
committee amendment was struck out, pro-
viding that all persons employed on river
and harbor works shall be selected and hired
by the officers of the corps of engineers in
local charge of those works In order that
the officers may be held to a strict RESPONSE
bility for the proper execution of the work
in their charge.
The following individual amendments were
made: BY Mr.. Gray, to permit retired army
officers to engage in river and harbor works;
by Mr.. Carter, republican of Montana, for a
dam across the upper Missouri river at
Stubs Ferry to develop water power; by
Mr.. Lodge, republican of Massachusetts, for
a survey of Portland channel, Alaska.
WHITE USES A MAP.
This disposed of the entire bill except the
reserved amendment for a deep water har-
Dor at Port Los Angeles, in Santa Monica
bay, California, and authorizing contracts
a~ggregating $2,9 8 900 for the work. A Wig
orous contest was promised on this item, the
two California senators, Mr.. White and Mr..
Perkins, being opposed to it. Mr.. White
offered an amendment for the creation of a
-, ,l - thr@@ ~ oarc a. ANnrt ~, - Ala
tive merits of Santa Monica bay and of San
Pedro harbor for the purpose of a deep water
harbor. Large easels were brought into the
senate and maps of the Pacific coast placed
on them. With pointer in hand, Mr.. White
then proceeded to point out the main points
of the contest.
The senator said the people of the coast
wanted a good, deep water harbor. Most
of the harbors were poor ones. That at
San Diego was too remote for a large ele-
ment Of the commerce. This demand for
better harbor facilities led to the develop
ment Of the Santa Monica project. and Sen
ator 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
Pacific company. Mr.. White then pointed
out that a board of army engineers had
San Pedro as the desirable
point for a harbor, and that his recon-
mendation was endorsed by Chief Engineer
Casey.
Objection was made to this report, and
through the efforts of Senator Frye another
board, headed by the present chief of engi-
neers. was appointed. Three points-Re-
dondo. Santa Monica and San Pedro-con-
tended before this board, each element being
ably represented. the Southern Pacific rail-
way being represented by one of the hest
lawyers in California.
This board, made up Of eight of the fore
most anpiDaarS Of tha snryipn repOmmnnln
San Pedro harbor. When this report came
before congress nothing was done. The
fight in behalf Of Santa Monica was still
on, as though no report had been made.
Mr.. White traced in great detail the his
tory of the subject. Taking up the present
status, Mr.. White urged that the two Cali
fornia senators. and the representatives from
the Sixth California district, did not ask for
the amendment inserted in the bill for a
harbor at Santa Monica, enl said the over
whelming sentiment of the people of the
locality was against 1t.
Mr.. White commented on the extra
ordinary and peculiar" conditions by which
the senators and local representatives from
California were not consulted as to the pro-
posed appropriation. 1t indicated that "some
extraordinary influence" had been brought
to bear. The senator commented on the
"persistency Of the Southern Pacific railway"
and declared that this accounted for the ex-
traordinary action.
GIFT UNASKED FOR.
Mr.. White spoke Of the surprise with
which he learned that the paragraph for the
Santa Monica appropriation had actually been
printed for incorporation in the river and
harbOr bill, although the understanding had
been reached that there should be no appro-
priation beyond that for the inner harbor at
San Pedro. 80 that my state stands on
higher grounds that other states occupy"
said Mr.. White. "Some states are forced to
solicit appropriations, but In my case they
come unsolicited and unwarranted."
The senator commented severely on a COM
munication from "the third house written