The herald., 1897-12-15
Richard Kerens Will Find
a Way
SAN PEDR0'S FAIR PROSPECTS
TIE OUTER WALL BUILT, THE
INNER HARBoR ASSURED
San Trancisco's Postoflce-Appropri-
atoms for Southern California.
The Alaskan Problem

8Uou$ TOT SOUTHERN CuIlIOTAAhs
The Alaskan Problem
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 10.-(Spe-
cial Correspondence to The Herald.) The
San Pedro harbor situation Is exactly
reversed from what 1t was two years ago.
At that line a completion OF the inner
harbor was desired. In accordance with
the Benyaurd plan. This Is what the
Los Angeles Free Harbor league asked
congress to pass, believing that 1t would
be sufficient for all practical purposes
until an outer seawall could be secured
BY subsequent appropriations. Now the
treasury department, in the estimates
furnished to congress Of appropriations
necessary for the next year, recommends
that 100000 be allowed, under the con-
tinuing contract plan, for the construc-
ton Of an outer harbor, but there are no
recommendations as to tho inner har-
Dor, which was accepted from the op-
erations OF the law Of 1896.
The next fight to be made will be upon
the inner harbor. Richard Kerens Is
authority for the statement that the pier
will be built, but by whom 1t Is not now
certain. No definite information can
be secured as to this important point.
1t Is certain. however. that the govern
ment, after expanding $4,000, 900 on sea-
wall. will not allow its utility to DO less
ened by lack of work on the inner har-
Dor. The friends Of San Pedro are very
much gratified at what they believe to
be the end Of their long trouble and the
successful termination Of the harbor
fight. They do not see any breakers
ahead, and are confident that the meas
ure will not have any determined oppo-
eition In either the house or the senate.
Edward r. Fitzgerald, the labor COM
missioner Of California, is here for the
purpose Of making as strong a fight as
possible for the enforcement Of the eight
hour law as to the postofflce building in
San Francisco.
The eight-hour law Is penal statute,
and under the laws Of California cor
poration cannot be proceeded against
for violations thereof. The contractors
Of the postofflce building in San Fran
cisco constitute a corporation and have
80 far succeeded In rendering the eight
hour law nullity. While this Is the i'm
mediate purpose Of Fitzgerald's visit, it
Is Of much more than local Importance,
for the reason that the same condition
exists in nearly all Of the states, and
determined effort will be made, in which
the Federation Of Labor will assist.
Southern California will fare well, II
the estimates submitted to congress are
all carried out 80 far as that section
Is concerned. In addition to the appro-
priation for San Pedro, San Diego Is
down in the estimates for $1S6, 400 and
San Luis Obispo for s15O,OOO. San Diego
has been the recipient Of large appro-
priations heretofore. but San Luis Obs
pc has always been compelled to be con-
tented with a maximum appropriation
Of $780, With these three harbors all
completed. the Southern Californian
coast will be well supplied with facilities
for commerce, and will be the natural
inlet and outlet for the trade between
the United States and the orient, as
well as between the United States and
the cities of Mexico, Central America and
South America by way of the Pacific.
+ =
The California delegation is greatly
disappointed that the Nicaraguan COM
mission was not appointed in time for
1t to have made its report by the first
Of the year. When Captain Merry was
appointed minister to Nicaragua. 1t was
believed that he would devote all of the
time at his disposal to facilitating and
Fastening the work Of this commission,
and that report would be received by
congress in ample time for 1t to be acted
upon. The delay in the departure of the
commission for Nicaragua, caused by the
investigation Of one of it's members as
to the expenditure of funds on Savannah
harbor and the delay in the reception
of Captain Merry, prevented a consum-
nation of this plan. 1t is still hoped by
some of the ardent friends of the canal
project that it can yet be so shaped that
a hearing can be had during this session,
but this is not now probable, and If
brought up at all, 1t will not be until so
late that its chances Of passage will be
jeopardized.
= +
The recent discoveries of gold in Alas
ka and the recent transfers of large
sums for some of the quartz properties
near Juneau that have been operated for
q number of years past. have served to
awaken upon the part of members de-
cided interest in that far-off and hither-
to neglected territory. A semblance of
government was granted to Alaska dur
Ing the last congress, but 1t is by no
means sufficient for the governing of
that territory under present conditions.
The coast and geodetic survey will be
granted ample appropriations for re-
survey of Alaska, and the line between
that territory and British Columbia will
be definitely fixed, so far as it can be
without concerted action between Amer
lean and Canadian officials. There will
also be reliable gold experts sent to
Alaska by the government to explore the
asyet unprospected portions of that coun-
try. 1t Is believed by the coast and geo.
detic survey officials that there Is
much valuable placer and quartz land
that has not as yet been discovered.
They think that the most valuable por-
lions of the gold fields are on American
soil, and that new section will be opened
which will surpass the camps ut Daw-
son City and Circle City. The problem
OF whether to use dogs or reindeer cam
not be solved with the data on hand. "A
the reports are conflicting, and as a
result both will be given a trial, The
herd Of reindeer at Port Clarence STA
tim will he ereat1r +aa II. ~. !