The San Francisco call., 1896-04-19
FOR HARBORS
OF CALIFORNIA,
Progress of the Struggle
Before the Commerce
Committee.
SENATOR WHITES VIEWS
Favors the Continuous Contract
System for Oakland and
San Pedro.
THE APPROPRIATIONS ASKED.
Arguments Made by Those Who
Favor Improvement at Santa
Monica.
THE APPROPRIATIONS ASKED.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. April 1S.-Sen-
ator White said to CALL correspondent
tonight:
''It is too early yet to form an opinion
as to what the Senate Commerce Com
mittee will do as between San Pedro and
Santa Monica for the deep-water harbor
site. Several members of the committee
are pronounced in favor of Santa Monica,
including the chairman, Mr.. Frye.
81 have already made motion to put
Oakland Harbor under the continuous
contract system. and want to include the
inner harbor at San Pedro under this sys-
tenn if possible. As the bill stands no Cali
fornia river or harbor projects have been
provided for in this way, although other
States have been. Humboldt, of course,
is under the continuous contract system,
but a former Congress made this provi-
sion, and this should not initiate against
our claim.
''The bill as it passed the House Divides
for an outright appropriation of 500. 600
for Oakland, and if can get it put under
the continuous contract system and Con-
gress authorizes the contracts to be made
to complete the projects recommended by
the board of engineers, the appropriations
will aggregate six or seven hundred thou
sand dollars. San Pedro's appropriation OF
$50, 900 for dredging is pitiful sum, but il
/ can secure the continuous contract
system for this harbor, at cost OF
1892 900 I would rather take the
$4,000 to be Immediately available. with a
certainty that contracts would be made to
complete the entire work, than to accept
$685. 900 as a cash appropriation, with no
assurance that Congress would ever finish
the project. will also make an attem pt
to have the appropriation for the San Joa-
quin River increased. 1 consider this a
very important work. The House bill only
allows this river $20 900, but it should have
$4,000 at least"
The Commerce Committee, OF which
White is member. has already voted to
increase the appropriation for San Diego
harbor from $4,000 to $4,000 ana San
Luis Obispo from $32, 900 to $40, 900.
Several of the Los Angeles people will
leave for home tomorrow. Others will
remain here until the river ana harbor
bill is reported to the Senate. The San
Pedro delegates feel that they have made
out strong case.
The outcome is matter of great doubt,
however. Chairman Frye is a power in
that committee and his influence in favor
of Huntington's harbor may decide the
matter. Senators Jones of Nevada and
Squire of Washington are also actively at
work for Santa Monica. Senators White
and Elkins are doing everything in their
power for San Pedro.
Senator Frye has personally inspected
both harbor sites and says to his brother
committeemen: II will never consent to
do anything for an outer harbor at San
Pedro until God does sonnet hing for it."
A Californian said to-day: "If the
Lord helps those who help themselves
Huntington may receive some heavenly
aid, for he has been helping himself Ito
Uncle Sans cash) for good many years. +"