The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-01
WHY NOT ron THE CANAL,
A Brief History of the Three-Miliicn-
Dollar Appropriation fer Port Los
Angeles fSanfa Moufeal CaHsoru,..


Angeles tsanta Monfca) CALIFORNIA;:
The river and harbor bill contains an
item Of about s., col. 90 for q harbor OF ref
uge at Port Los Angeles Santa Monical.
California. Santa Monica is q coas. sum
mer resort. about sixteen niles from Los
Angeles. The Santa Fe railroad has
branch road from Los Angeles to Santa
Monica, also a wharf extending into the
bay nearly two miles, where vessels dis
charge their cargoes directly into the cars
Of the Santa Fe railroad.
San Pedro Is Q little town down the
coast about one hours sail from Santa
Monica, and has been the ''embarcadiero'
fer all time past The San Pedro river
ernpsies into the ocean at this place and
there was formerly q sand bar at the
mouth Of the river. but some years ago
the government dredged out this bar 10 a
depth sufficient TO admit vessels drawing
twelve feet OF water into the estuary be-
tween the mainland and Terminal island.
and also built a long stone buik-head. A
branch Of the Santa Fee railroad runs
down the north or mainland side and the
terminal railroad rsIns on the south inside
the long breakwater built by the govern
ment- This latter road is owned or con-
trolled by men who have lived many
years in Los Angeles. and are the success
sors OF those confding native Califor-
mans who were noted for their hospital
ity in early days. and who once owned
all the land In Los Angeles county. These
terminal people were DESTROYS Of having
the sandba- dredged out deeper. so that
larger vessels could enter the harbor, and
succeeded with the appropriation CON-
mittee Of the house in getting an appro-
priation Of several hundred thousand dol
lars for the Improvement OF San Pedro
harbor.
Coils p. Huntington, who owns or con-
trolls all the land around Santa Monica,
and who could prevent any other railroad
from entering into competition with the
Santa Fe. wanted to build a big city st
Santa Monica. He had sufficient influence
with the house committee 10 secure an
appropriation Of several million dollars
for this purpose under the name of
harbor Of refuge. When the appropria-
tons passed howl was raised that shook
Southern California by the old-timers Of
Los Angeles who owned the Terminal
railroad, for, If that IS. 100000 was ex-
pended on a breakwater at Santa Monica,
they might say goodbye to another land
boom at Los Angeles.
Notwithstanding the bill had passed. the
Terminal railroad people succeeded In
getting q suspension of actual work and
the appointment Of a board OF United
States engineers. headed by Admiral
Walker, to examine both San Pedro and
Santa Monica and repor; which was the
best site for the expenditure of this vast
sum of money. The instructions Of the
board were specific, to examine the two
sites, TO more. Had the board been In
structed to report on the demands Of COM
merce for such a harbor, they would
probably have reported nc demand for Ii;
that San Pedro harbor was sufficient for
the coast commerce for the next fifty
years, and the only parties interested were
the two railroads and the land boomers.
The common people would receive no ben
eft from the pouring Of three millions
OF money into the Pacific ocean. 1t would
not cheaper one pound of coal, which now
Is $40 per ton to the consumer at Los An
geles, the cost of which In Seattle at the
coal bunkers is about $50 per ton. OF
the difference between the producer and
consumer the greater profit is to the two
railroads on a haul Of sixteen miles.
There was no evidence before the board
that such an expenditure would be bene-
tit TO commerce; but ii Is readily seen that
the dredging of San Pedro harbor would
be of benefit to the coasting vessels which
do the carrying up and down the coast,
and San Pedro harbor is a sufficient ref
uge for such small vessels, and the people
We're satisfied with the dredging appro-
priation until they discovered that Hunt
ington had secured the appropriation for
Santa Monica.
After the board of engineers had re-
ported to Secretary Alger that San Pedro
was the better site for the breakwater
Los Angeles raised mighty howl be-
cause Aiger would not advertise for bids.
and proceed with the construction. The
press OF THAI city abused him roundly for
not doing what they considered a manda-
tory duty by an act of congress. Secre-
tary Alger knew his duty better and de-
layed work, pending further action of
congress.
Now tho question naturally arises
whether II this appropriation of s. 600. 30
cen be taken from Santa Monica and d.
verified TO San Pedro for the benefit of a
few persons, why cannot a small portion
be turned 70 open the canal between Tho
Sound and Lake Washington. whereby all
the people OF the United States may be
benefitede II this were done we would be
spared the sad spectacle Of our battleshtrs
going on British docks for cleaning. ard
so great expense he avoided to the gov
ernment. The advantages of Lake Wash
ington 10 the shipping of this Northwest
coast can hardly be estimated. The vast
water area and great depth would make
II an ideal harbor for deep water ships.
The shore Is admirably adapted for docks.
and as a possible site for an immense
ship-huilding plan, such as Cramp ur
sewall. OK Maine, might build, it is I'M
surpassed.
The shore land could be obtained at
small cost, possibly donated, and with
unlimited room for building and launch
Ing OF vessels. no better location could
be desired.
Senator Chandler lately offered a reso-
iutlon IN the senate 20 appoint a board 20
investigate the facilities IN the United
States for docking big ships and It IS Z,
be hoTed this Investigation will include
this canal, which IS Of such vas, frnpor-
lance 10 the shipping industry of the
northwest coast w II f
Voted for Work and Got It.