The herald., 1897-02-13
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

an Oriental steamship line with South
ern California as the eastern terminus.
None of the schemes were sufficiently
tangible to promise ultimate success,
but in my opinion with the further in
crease in our commerce which will fol-
low the construction of a deep water
harbor and the building of the Salt Lake
railway, the situation will be sufficiently
promising to induce the establishment Of
such a line.
Mexican Consulship-The chamber
having seen the benefits which might re-
suit to our business and other lations
with Mexico has been making vigorous
endeavor to have the Mexican govern
ment designate for Los Angeles consul
from that republic. The prospects of
success are by no means discouraging.
Entertainments-Dur the year the
chamber extended courtesies to many
distinguished persons who were favoring
Los Angeles with their presence, upon
which occasions members of the cham
ber of commerce and citizens generally
came in large numbers to welcome our
guests.
The first Of these was large reception
given to the mayor and common council
or Minneapolis, who were making q tour
or the western slope in pursuit of pleas
ure and information.
AT later date that distinguished SOL
Gier and general favorlte of the people
of Los Angeles. General Nelson A. Miles,
commander-in-c -chief of the United States
army, was rendered a reception which
was so cordial and so numerously at
tended that 1t must have been very graf
flying to him.
A most pleasing ovation was that in
favor of Senator George c. Perkins, who
has always been recognized as a true
and tried friend of Southern California
Although it was in the midst of heated
political campaign, our people, regard
less of party Affiliations, We'd with each
other in their efforts to do honor to the
distinguished senator.
A reception was given to Hon. G. r.
Skinner, president of the National Edu-
cational association and other noted ed
ucators. 1t was hoped that the attract
iveness of Los Angeles would be suffic-
iently brought to their attention to Sc
cure from them recommendation that
the next meeting of the National Edu-
cational association SHOULD be held in
this city.
During the month of December a con-
ference was held which brought to-
gether the supervisors of the southern
counties. enabling them to become ac-
quainted with each other, and enabling
the chamber to present to them some Of
the specific needs of this section. The
mutual understanding which resulted
will surely prove beneficial.
A few days prior to the convening of
the legislature meeting was held at the
chamber Of commerce by all the sena-
tors and assemblymen of Southern CAL
ifornia. At this meeting opportunities
were given for suggestions as to de-
sired legislation and for mutual inter
change of views between law makers
and constituents.
A few days prior to their departure
reception was given to Admiral Walker
and the other members of the board to
locate deep water harbor adjacent to
Los Angeles. 1t doubtless aided these
gentlemen to carry to their distant
homes pleasant memories of the hospi-
tality of our people.
The last of these functions was that
given to Gov Atkinson of Georgia and
his jolly party, who were evidently spy
ing out a land where, in matchless cli-
mate. radiant with sunshine and redo
lent with flowers, life is we'll worth liv-
ing.
Harbor-For many years there has
been great agitation in our midst on the
subject of a deep water harbor. After
the report of the commission of 1892, ia
voring San Pedro, and confirming the
conclusions of previous boards. it was
supposed that the question of location
had been settled and that nothing fur
ther remained to be done except to Sc
cure from congress the necessary appro-
priation. But formidable movement
was projected looking to the selection of
another site than that which had been
approved by the United States engi-
neers. The contest both at home and in
congress has been spirited and deter
mined, and every inch OF ground has
been stubbornly contested.
The chamber of commerce, ever since
it's organization, has labored unremit-
tingly to secure an adequate harbor for
our present and prospective commerce.
and with every opportunity which has
been given for expression on the sub
ject it consistently favored San Pedro.
There is no question: whatever that it
has reflected the opinions Of very large
majority of our citizens, who favor that
locality and have steadfastly looked
upon San Pedro as the only available
site for a free harbor accessible to all
interests.
The long and tedious controversy re-
suited in the passage by congress of an
act appropriating $2,900000 for the con-
sstruction of "a deep water harbor for
commerce and refuge at Port Los An
geles in Santa Monica bay, California. or
at San Pedro" A board was by the same
act created TO decide upon the final To-
cation of the harbor and to make plans,
specifications and estimates for it's con-
struction.
The distinguished gentlemen selected
were: John G. Walker, rear-admiral, u.
8. NJ; Augustus F. Rodgers. assistant
u. S. coast survey; William II. Burr,
Richard p Morgan, George s. Morrison.
They have devoted many weeks to eX-
haustive Investigations of the merits and
dement's of the two locations, and have
adjourned to Washington, where they
will formulate and render their decision
Their verdict will end a long and dras-
tic contention, one outcome of which
has been the passage of an act which
provides that we are to have somewhere
a deep water harbor, and the final act
will be the fixing Of its location. 1t
is my confident belief, based upon long
consideration of the facts and predicated
upon the great ability and high profess
sional standing of the gentlemen who
compose the harbor board, that San Pc
dro will be chosen as the site, and the
Judgment of the majority of the member
ship of the chamber will be gloriously
confirmed
Nicaragua Canal.-The harbor ques-
tion settled, the next desideratum is the
Nicaragua canal The latest advices
from Washington discourage the hope
of the speedy passage by this congress
Of a bill looking to its construction.
There re assurances that all the con-
gressmen from the western slope are
earnestly in favor of the canal, but diff.
ficulties growing out of diplomatic in
tricacies have for the present retarded
progress.
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