The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-08

teras, with the accent ON the e. like that"
Like that" means spelled as 1t Is pro-
nounced; "Get-sear-s."
COLONEL ROBERTS REPORT.
Lieutenant Richie OF the United States on |
gineer corps stationed at this point has re- |
ceived a copy OF Colonel Roberts report on |
the extension OF the harbor lines. Colonel
Robert was In Galveston last August, when
the question OF changing the harbor lines
of Galveston harbor was discussed In order
to allow the construction OF docks by tho
West End Dock company.
To the general public "harbor lines IL
vague term of obscure or unknown
meaning. For the benefit of those un-
familiar with the subject II might be well
to define what a harbor line Is.
The United States government, through
the engineer corps OF the army. which has
charge OF all works OF Improvement Of
American harbors, when the necessity
arises determines what shall constitute
| the free water of harbor. Then lines
are run around this free water and no
| fixed obstruction is permitted to be placed
in this free water which is reserved by
| the government for the general purposes
| of navigation, Up to these lines docks
| and other stationary works for the accom-
| mediation of commerce may be construct
ed. but the harbor lines form the limits OF
| these works.
Colonel Roberts report Ia as follows;
In compliance with instructions con-
| tanned in your Endorsement OF July rs,
1897, on the letter OF Mr.. George Il. Mann
president Of the West End dock, dated Gal
weston, July 10. 1897. relative to change of
harbor lines at Galveston, have the honor
to submit the following report While at
oil lac III - ~ 1aat OF
was enabled TO examine into this matter
and to have interviews with several parties
In relation thereto including Judge George
f. Mann. the president OF the West End
dock; Mr.. George NJ. Courts, president
chamber OF commerce; Mr. n. A. Hawkins
attorney fer the City company. which com
| pany understand originally owned the city
site and now owns all the land available
for docks except what Is owned by the
Wharf company and the Santa F0 Railroad
company; Mr.. II. Il. Cullum. chairman oil
the Galveston subcommittee OF the deer
water utilization committee, the object OF
which is shown In enclosure Q OF the papers
referred to me. and Mr.. II. II. Meron, the
French consul, who han very thoroughly
studied up all the commercial interests Of
Texas, and Is just leaving the State.
"The City company claims part of tho
land that would come within the proposed
} extension Of the dock line and objects TO
| having any part OF ltb property tuhtu run
: the company. ] explained to the attorney
that II the secretary OF war extended the
dock line 1t would In no way aWcct their
: title to the land that might thus he re-
t claimed; that the State laws would settle
the question OF ownership From all
learned / am fully satisfied that the com
: mercIal interests OF Galveston would br
subserved by granting the extension OF
! the dock line asked for provided no serious
y injury is done thereby TO the channel
8 'The entire area taken from the bay by
e the proposed extension Of the harbor
! lines is less than one square mile. and
! about two thirds OF this viii be filled In
:, 80 that the tidal basin Will be diminished
about two thirds OF one square mile. The
tidal basin covers over $50 square miles
!, SO that the proposed diminution OF thu
"a basin amounts to less than one-aixth or
:, per cent The place TO be filled Is oyel
Il twelve miles from the entrance to thu
harbor, and therefore the Milling wouIc
: have scarcely an appreclabe effect upot
!. the tidal prism. Assuming that 1t would In
crease the amount OF dredging by one
: sixth OF 1 per cent and that 100000 cubic
: yards of material would have to b.
y dredged annually TO maintain the shiI
u channel land think no ono would put
70 high, then this extension OF the har
] Dor lines would require 1000 cubic yard
- Of extra dredging annually at cost o
not TO exceed $40.
II am required by my instructions I
submit my views and recommendations 10
the information of the secretary OF wal
l. 1t seems to me that the general govern
rnent should interfere with local interest
only when absolutely necessary to protet
more important public interests. Ever
~ pler built into a harbor interferes come
Id what with the tidal basin or currents, BIT
T. In most OF our harbors the benefits result
II ing from the conltructicn OF these piei
A. outweigh the disadvantage. harbor
: OF little value to commerce unless Sttizef
* are permitted to build piers aud whary'
II. and In some cases MI up shoals and "a
as tend islands Galveston harbor Is an II
IN stance az this itself. It's present VIVA
OF front is totally inadequate TO the wan
n OF great commercial port. such as shon
r be created at this point. The ontrant
IT, TO this harbor IL no@ the hnest south
Norfolk, but its dock room ~ not enouf
ia Tor n second class port. The secretary
l. war has established harbor lines arour
L. Pelican shoals allowing several miles
nd filling, but even with this the supply ",
be small. and It seems to me tnat u
as United States should not prevent the e
he fort OF citizens to extend their commerce
faoiIttiss. when there Ia no serious int
ference with public Interests resuitii
therefrom. with the riparian questions !
I'm yolyed It seems ia NE the United stat
&c has nothing TO do. The state laws
ample TO protect all parties coacerhe
IS THE United States does not give the rig
Al 10 any corporation or Individual. ~
ICE United States simply says that as Jar
nd | Il r. concerned It Is willing TO have I
tly harbor lire extended tc certain limits.
st. withdrewe It's hands from csftsin terrific
land allows local laws fun sway.
~ would therefore recommend thai !
Iextensicn Of the harbor lines requested
AMI tha West End dock be granted ana y
to the description Of the Galveston har.