The San Francisco call., 1897-10-18
Senator White Writes to
the Secretary of
War.
Receives Assurance That the
Work Will Shortly Be
Commenced.
Stone From San Clemente island
VIII Probably Be Used for Its
Construction.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Oct. 17-Notwith-
standing the opinion of Attorney General
McKenna that it was mandatory on the
| part OF Secretary of War Alger to con-
struct the breakwater ut San Pedro, and
the lattor's assurance that the work would
| be at once taken up, there have been many
who believed that the Secretary of War
was purposely diatory in taking the
necessary steps. Many inquiries on the
subject had been addressed to Senator S.
NJ. White, which led him 10 correspond
with Secre tary Alger, with satisfactory
results 10 the people of Los Angeles and
the State. Herewith is given the corre-
spondence. Senator Whites letter was
written on Septem ber 90 and is as follows {:
Secretary of Var, Washington, D. C-DEAR
SIR: Having observed that The Attorney
General, pursuant 10 the request OF the War
Depariment, has given an opinion with refer
| ence to the contemplated i'm provement a Sa n
Pedro, to the effect that bids might be asked
| 1or the construction OF the breakwater alone,
/ deem 1t desirable to ascertain, If the infor-
nation can be conveniently given me,
whether II is the intention of the department
TO proceed Immediately to advertise in ac-
eordance with the suggestions OF the Law De-
partment, and l would be under obligations if
| you would send me an early response. There
are, OF course, many inquiries concerning this
SUBJECT and i am especially interested in the
requests which come 10 me from time 10 time
from persons who contemplate figuring on
the work.
But am unable 10 give any data. and have,
in fact, referred them TO the department.
Some time ago suggested 10 you that there
was large amount OF ROCK which think is
suitable for breskwater purposes at San
CIemente Island. Itcoult readily be hauled,
L an tod, by means OF b. rges 10 the break
water location, and as the property is owned
by the Government the rock could be fur
nished free OF the royalty which viii, 10
doubt, be imposed by private ownership of
quarries. This might reduce the construction
expenses somewhat Yours
STEPHEN NJ. WHITE.
The following reply was received:
WAR DEPARTMENT. WAsHINGToN,l
October =, 1897.
Sir: have the honor to acknow edge the
receipt OF your letter of the 29th ult, asking
If 1t is the intention of the department 10 pro.
ceed Immediately with work at San Pedro
breakwater and suggesting use of stone from
San Clemente Island the same being cons i'd
cred suitable and convenient, besides being
owned by the Government In reply ! beg TO
inform you that the preparation OF advertise
ments ana specifications Tor the San Pedro
breskwater has been lntrusIed to Major c. Z.
L. b. Davis corps OF engineers, San Francisco,
1t Is probable that the said adver isemcnts
and specifications will be ready to submit to
this department some time next month and in
connection Herewith your suggestion will be
| accorded due consideration. r. A. ALGER,
Secretary oil War.
From this it is expected that all prelimi-
| nary matters, such as advertising for and
awarding the contracts. will be disposed of
during the winter and that actual work on
the bTeakwater will begin n the spring.