The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-20
SAN PEDRO JOBPUNCTURED
Secretary Alger Turns the Light on
the Big California Steal.

p Washington, May 20.-Secretary AL
ger has made response to the senate
resolution calling for statement as to
what has been or is about to be done
with reference to making contracts for
the improvement of San Pedro, Califor-
MIA
The secretary submits the whole sub
ject TO congress for further instructions
as to its purpOse-whether to create
simply a harbOr of refuge or one of ref
uge and commerce.
The secretary cites the action of the
Walker board in deciding to expend all
Of the appropriation, $3.50, 000 upon
breakwater, and then states his position
as follows:
The department has had many i'm
patient inquiries as to when the work
Will be advertised, and While there is
no disposition to retard the matter
day, the difficulty presented is always
the same. What was the intent OF con-
gress when it made this appropriation
'harbOr for commerce and of refugee
The reports show clearly that the en-
tire appropriation and more Will be re-
quired for the breakWater and that to
make a harbOr for commerce. large ad-
ditional sums Will be required, the eX-
act amount OF which is largely cOnjec-
ture on account of there being the pos
s1bility of rock to eXcavate instead of
salt or sand; but taking for granted
that rock exists there, chief engineers
nave, by my direction, and from all in
formation there is in the department,
made two approximate estimates for
completing the harbOr for commerce,
according to the plans suggested by the
board. 1t is believed by me that a har-
Dor covering 800 acres, or half a mile
by mile in area, where ships can be
tOWed in, mOOred, tOWed from one dock
to another, winded or turned around,
etc, would be the least that could be
considered.
First estimate, based on report of
board, deepening channel to inner har-
d T1-f1 n or a nd
construction of two suitably designed
timber piers, located a safe distance on
either side Of the jetty entrance, car
RED out to the five fathOm curve to &C
cOmnOdate vessels whose draft would
prevent their entrance TO the inner har-
Dor, to be used during completion Of
improvements in inner harbOr; dredg
ing from central channel to piers to 80
feet depth; 1900 feet of bulk head for
wharfage, S2,3I9, 600; cost of breakWater
s., 901. 1S7-total, S5,3S0,7S7-"
This plan has the Objectionable fea-
ture of the destruction of the piles by
the toredO unless creosoted, besides
the disadvantage OF its great exposure
to fire, as in the case of those wharves
where steamers are mOOred alongside
and engines run upon them.
The second plan is to dredge into
the lagoon and excavate a space of
practically 800 acres, a half mile by a
mile in area. and here the estimate is
largely guess work. Several islands
will have to be removed as shown by
the maps ana II Is possible that there
may be rocks to blast and remove. But
an estimate has been made to give 80
feet of water for this area where an av-
erage cut of 20 feet will be required, and
for this inner harbOr with the dredging
of the channel into the same, the esti-
mate is 81, rs, 600. Cost of breakwater,
| 81. 9O1. Isl, making the total for the break
water and inner harbor, 50, 176. 787. The
question is: Shall the expenditure of
/ s. 900 900 be made for the breakwa ter
or harbor of refuge, leaving the harbOr
/ for commerce for future exchange and
J appropriation?
From my construction of the law, I
l have not felt justified in commencing
/ the work without a full understanding
/ as to what the intent of the congress
/ was when the law was enacted. If it
/ was and is its intent that the work
/ on the breakwater shall be advertised
4 and this appropriation expended for
4 that alone, the matter shall receive i'm
| mediate attention If not, I hope such
/ instructions will be given that shall
| leave no doubt as to what the duties of
the war department are in the matter. -