The herald., 1898-03-25

Hon. H. G. kerens and daughter OK St.
Louis arrived in this city yesterday morn
ing in their private car Catherine at
tached to the Santa Fe. They were also
accompanied by A. w. 6oper Of New York,
late general manager Of the Iron Mountain
railway. his family and maid and the Rev.
Father Thomas U. Sherman Of st. Louis.
The party are registered at the Westmin-
ster. and may remain some time.
Mr.. Kerens Is member Of the national
committee from Missouri, whose indefati-
gable efforts in behalf Of the San Pedro
harbor are we'll known. In an interview
on the present situation Of affairs he said:
ION Tuesday last while at Phoenix, Ariz.,
received a telegram stating that the ap-
preparation for San Pedro which had passed
the lower house was about to be left out
In the senate.
II did not see how that could very well
be done in the light of what had trans
pired from that distinguished body two or
three years ago, when, in an exhaustive de-
bate upon the subject, the relative merits
Of San Pedro and Santa Monica were dis
cussed. This was upon a minority report
from the senate committee on commerce
brought in by your own distinguished Sem
ator White. This debate resulted in an act
Of congress by compromise, the draft of
which was submitted by Senator Frye of
Maine, the champion of Santa Monica. This
agreement measure passed the senate by
unanimous vote, was concurred in by the
house of representatives without a dissent
ing vote, was approved by the president
and is a law on the statute books Of the
United States.
"This act of congress, passed as 1t was
by unanimous vote of both houses, created
the Walker board, which Is we'll known in
the harbor contest.
1.-THE people of California are quite IA
miliar with the decision of that board, and
the almost unanimous findings after its la
bors.
statement to say that almost every senator
in congress at that time considered the
contest at an end and that the location OF
the harbor at San Pedro was q settled
question. 1t has been so regarded since,
and very few, If any, influential statesmen
who are familiar with the history of this
long drawn out contest will agree to the re-
opening Of the question.
There Is a generous feeling in both
h)uses Of congress towards the Pacific
coast. particularly the hourishing regions
of Southern California, Utah. Arizona and
New Mexico, which are considered tribu-
tary to this ocean outlet.
ut is well known throughout the United
States that harbor facilities on the Pacific
coast south of San Francisco are not up to
the requirements of the rapidly increasing
commerce and industries of this growing
region.
There is no adequate harbor of refuge
or commerce for distance Of over 500 miles
south of San Francisco, except San Diego,
adjoining the Mexican frontier. and 1t is
not suited to the requirements Of the city
Of Los Angeles and the towns and cities OF
the San Gabriel valley.
mo, l do not believe the congress of the
United States will further deny to Califor-
MIA this needed avenue of commerce; for,
indeed, as far as the benefits Of government
aid in the development Of harbor facilities,
California has had very little in comparison
with the vast sums from time to time ex-
pended on the Atlantic ocast.
"There Is essentially another feature con-
uected with the improvement Of deep sea
harbor at San Pedro. The naval necessi-
ties of the government demand harbor of
refuge contiguous to the large population,
a coaling station and docks for repairs for
the operation of the navy in the waters of
the Pacific ocean; to this It must be borne
in mind that the completion of the Nicara-
qua canal is a work of national Importance
that Is sure to be consummated in the near
future. This will bring the ocean nearer
together, develop the commerce of the
whole country. and the harbor at San Pc
dro will be factor for the consummation
Of this great work. In this the states
throughout the whole length of the Mis-
.sissippi are deeply interested.
II cannot see how the seante would con-
sent to reverse itself at this time on the
meager appropriation for deep water har-
Dor at San Pedro, should such action be
contemplated, Senator White has the de-
termination and the ability to take care of
the interests of his people.
1.-THE improvement Of this harbor is a
public work. right at the home Of Senator
White, and there is no precedent In the his
tory Of congress where senator at his own
home in the matter of public Improvement
has ever been ignored. when in harmony
with the corps of army engineers.
Therefore the justness Of the cause of
a harbor at San Pedro from every stand
point is admitted even by its opponents; !;
added to this the unanimity Of sentiment of
the people Of the Pacific coast and the ter
ritories tributary thereto, q united delega-
tion in congress from the state of Califor-
MIA, the unanimous report OF the several
boards Of army engineers Cncluding the
commission that first located the harbor at
San Pedro) and the splendid results derived