The herald., 1897-06-03
Judge widney on the Harbor Problem

brevity q far as IL Consistent with the
proper expression Of their viewal
Judge Widney on the Harbor Problem
To the Editor Of the Los Angeles
Herald: In the judgment of the writer.
our commercial interests and general
prosperity are endangered by the appa-
rent position Of the people Of this COM
munity on the deep water harbor Ques-
ton.
We do not and cannot control the fac
tors involved in the contest. What are
the factors? They are the location.
construction and use Of the harbor.
1t Is very evident that we do not abso-
lutely control the location and construc-
tion of the deep sea harbor. The present
situation in that respect is very preca-
rious. with strong chances that we may
lose it entirely. 1t was at one time def
nitely provided for in bill of congress
at Santa Monica. and all parties, be-
lieve, admit that If the bill had passed
in that form the harbor would now be
we'll under process of construction. The
money for the harbor would now be in
circulation. Also, there would be here
large amount Of capital seeking in
vestment in property and business en-
terprises.
But let US assume for the present that
eventually this community will secure
the location and construction of the
harbor at San Pedro. Can we then
command the use Of the harbor, so as to
bring to it the commerce desired? Who
are going to use it? The harbor is for
oceanward traffic. This requires organ
lied lines Of shipping. Who will put up
the money for this? What are the
names of the men or companies that
have announced their control of capital
to do this? The people of this commun-
ity will not and cannot do it. No east
ern people have announced their inten-
ton to do 1t, nor have shown any inter-
est in doing it, except Mr.. Huntington,
and he has not proposed to do it except
from Santa Monica. Will the location
and construction of the harbor at San
Pedro force him to do it? Probably not.
Our local papers, as well as those in
San francisco, are teeming with the
news that Mr.. Huntington has recently
secured the Guaymas railroad and that
he intends making his main terminus
and transcontinental port at that place,
of steamers on the Pacific, and from
Galveston and New Orleans he will un-
doubtedly run the Pacific lines to his
own harbor at Guaymas. Mexico is giv
ing liberal inducements and the COM
mercial line is as short from the Orient
to Guaymas as to San Pedro. Get down
your map of the Nicaragua canal
scheme and see what the facts are.
If Guaymas becomes the terminal har-
Dor, then goodby to the future of Los
Angeles for commercial and business
greatness. The business will go to
Guaymas, and thence across the con-
tinent.
There is still one chance left to head
Mr.. Huntington off. That is to have
congress pass an act charging such high
custom duties where the Guaymas COM
merce enters the United States that it
will force Mr.. Huntington to enter San
Pedro with his ships. All, surely we
have him there, and cry "checkmate."
and get the commercial game for San
Pedro after all.
Not so fast. We have found to our
sorrow that Mr.. Huntington is man
of remarkable resources and power. He
is not whipped when we say he ought
to so consider himself. His right to fight
in his own interests is just as good as
ours. His right to fight is only limited,
as Gus is, by the limit of ability to fight.
Well, how will he outfiank the high
custom house duties. if secured, on the
Guaymas commerce, as it enters the
United States? He will do it by going
to a Mexican port on the Gulf of Mex
leo, and thus side-track the United
States completely on all Oriental and
European commerce.
Mexico is waking up and is alive to
the power Of commerce. She is giving
wonderful inducements to foreign enter
prise and capital. She will at any time
grant all that is required to secure this
international commerce. And San Pc.
dro, Santa Monica, Los Angeles? Well,
we can boast that Mr.. Huntington don't
run this place, anyway.
1t is we'll known that the continued
warfare waged by San Francisco against
the Southern Pacific and Mr.. Hunting
ton has driven them with all of their
influence from that city. Does San
Francisco rejoice at the result? No.
1t cries out against being abandoned by
the very men and railroads that for
quarter of a century it has denounced
and thwarted at every possible turn. 1t
wants Mr.. Huntington and his railroad,
and wants them badly; but it wants
to run his business, to which he natu-
rally objects.
But San Francisco sees commercial
decay staring it in the face, notwith-
standing the greatest farbor in the
world. Why? Because the Oriental
commerce may go to Santa Monica or
Guaymas. If San Francisco's harbor
cannot retain this worlds commerce
against Mr.. Huntington, how can San
Pedro expect to do it?
Los Angeles is being led in the foot
steps of San Francisco. How can we
escape the same fatal results?
The true policy for us is to cooperate
with, and be friendly to, all commercial
enterprises Southern California, in. it's
true development, should refuse to be
led into hostilities with the great COM
mercial factors of the age, whether
Huntington or anyone else.
The Southern PacXic is today the
greatest commercial power in the United
States. 1t will continue to be so, and
We can gain nothing as community by
warning with it, or by driving it to Quay
mas.
On the other hand, if we extend to
them commercial friendship and let
them see that their interests and prop
erty are among friends we can make
this the home Of their power pros