The herald., 1896-12-30
THE BATTLE OF The TWO RIVAL PORTS

In 1890 the population had increased to
$4,000. larger growth in the came length
of time than any town in the country.
Railroad business had increased in
the same ratio Before the wharf at
Santa Monica was built Redondo had
become a regular port of call, accom-
modating all the coast commerce. In
1890 Los Angeles had ecome so large.
and it's business interests so extensive It
felt the need of a harbor more than a
mere port of call.
1t being the only point on tho
coast having competing lines of rail-
road, measures were instituted to Sc
cure a deep water harbor. The Los An
geles Terminal railway included as part
Of it's scheme the building of a road from
Salt Lake City, which would shorten
the distance across the continent 300
miles. In 1891 the Southern Pacific dis
continued the building of its pier al San
Pedro and bought a body of land no "
known as the Santa Monica Heights
tract. In 1892 Los Angeles began TO
make decided effort to secure the ha--
Dor. Mr.. Forman and himself were
sent to Washington. When they ap-
peared before the senate committee Sen
ator Frye exhibited a telegram from
California saying that the holding
ground at San Pedro was bad. This
destroyed any measure of favor Senator
FELTON, may have had with the commit
tee. Mr. Gibbon considered it very un-
fortunate that the question of holding
ground had been raised-it had operated,
more against a deep sea harbor at San
Pedro than any other one thing The
same argument had been used last win
ter by Senator Frye in the hearing be-
fore congress. The outgrowth of he
whole harbor agitation. Mr. Gibbon said
is the board before whom he appeared
On the representation of the board of
engineers of 1892 his company had in
vested their money at San Pedro. This
harbor will become the most important
on the Pacific coast. At Santa Monica
there can be no competition with other
lines of road, as there is no room be-
tween the beach and the cliff for other
roads to enter, the land being owned by
the Southern Pacific and people closely
allied to it-Jones and Baker. This Is
proposed location entirely owned by
three propretors. The law does not pro-
vide for the Southern Pacific sharing
the water front, only its road and pier
1t has and will own a superior right to
the water front, and can practice impo-
stions on competing lines of road. HUI
man nature will have to materially
change from what 1t is now among rival
business interests if it does exer-
else this privilege. Should a rival
N'iitpoiiy 6uih H. ldHQ approach 10 Ino
harbor the expense of constructing
wharves would be burden equal to the
first cost of the harbor. There is no
room there for docking and repairing
ships.
When the pier at Redondo was built it
took 62 per cent of the coast business
from the Southern Pacific road, which re-
taliated by building a pier at Santa
Monica. BY this the company secured a
method of unloading coal to be used on
It's lines of road, from bunkers instead
OF lighters. difference in expense that
VIII amply repay the money invested in
the pier-----a saving of 81 a ton on the
10000 to 15,000 tons used per month. This
has been q splendid business investment
for the company. Mr.. Gibbon will file
with the board a table of distances bout
which so much has been said The diff
ference between the two towns is so lit
tie as to be of no Importance whatever
tu railroad transportation. Santa Monica
is an Incorporated city, and lines of rail
road cannot be increased without the
consent of the city authorities. If the
citizens find that the creation of harbo,
VIII 1nJure the town as seaside resort
upon which it bases it's attractions they
can. If so disposed, absolutely prohibit
other roads from entering. A large por.
ton OF the residence property is owned by