The record-union., 1896-04-07
THE SOUTHERN HARBORS CON
TROVERSY.


has been published in that city for
over twenty-five years and is one OF
the leading Independent newspapers Of
the State, distinctly, fiatfooted and
without a quiver, and in the very teeth
of the men making the charges, gives
the plain lie to the statements Of the
San Francisco sensational press and
the emotional and rabid Los Angeles
papers, concerning the Santa Monica
and the San Pedro harbor squabble
The Express in unmistakable terms
says it is not true as is vehemently
charged that the Southern Pacific Com
pany controls the water front at Santa
Monica. to the exclusion of other rail-
roads, or that it is possible for it to
do so.
The Express says that at San
Pedro the Southern Pacific Company
owns all of one side of the proposed
outer harbor to the line Of the light
house reservation and the Terminalroad
owns the other. 1t says, that there
fore if there is anything embarrassing in
this frontage ownership at ALL it ap-
plies more to San Pedro than to Santa
Monica. It adds, however, what every
one ought to know who desires to be
informed fairly, that any railroad COM
pany is entitled to and can get under
general laws frontage at either place.
The Express" which challenges any
one to assail it's entire independence,
and freedom from any control or in
huence except that Of it's announced
proprietors, declares that the question
about the two harbors is not one of
principle but Of commercial and busi-
ness policy. 1t points out that years
ago it favored Santa Monica as the
best deep sea harbor, but that when
decision by business men of Los An
geles was given for San Pedro, it ac-
corded in that policy, because of the
belief that Government aid could not
be had for both places.
Now it is found that neither place
will get aid from the Government ex-
cept there Is cessation Of the strife
stirred up by the advocates of San
Pedro The Congressional committee
had resolved on appropriations for both
harbors; what then was the duty of
Los Angeles" asks our contemporary,
regardless of how the decision Of the
| committee was brought about? Why
plainly to stand in for both places and
get what Has been wanted for thirty
years, safe harbors. The Express
takes the same view Of the situation
that we did the other day when we
said that the interest of San Francisco
and it's press in this matter is to pro-
mote the contest in the south that all
action by the Government may be
deferred indefinitely, because 1t is
| thought to be to San Fran
cisco interest that there shall
be no harbor improvement north
or south Of her that will divide COM
mercial supremacy with her, no matter
| how much such work would aid in de-
veloping the State and building up its
| business.
| The Express concludes by calling
attention to the statement wired from
| Washington that coast Congressman
\ entertain the belief that If the people
will unite and cease quarreling and
shouting, the Government will appro-
pirate $3,000,000 for the two harbors
and provide that all railroads shall
have equal rights in the matter of ap-
proaches Plain, common sense people,
not inspired by greed and unthinking
hatred, will see in that proposition an
opportunity for Los Angeles, rejection
of which will be little less than an
idiotic proceeding.