The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-04-26

dro has been the natural outlet for the
products of this section of Southern Cali
lorna, while in point Of age no harbOr on
any American SeacoaSt line exceeds 1t, as
II was about fifty years after the discov-
cry Of the new world that sailing vessels
entered within its limits.
The labors of the Free HarbOr League
Of Los Angeles, dating from November
Y, 1879, in behalf of the peoples harbor at
San Pedro, have been most conspicuous
and praiseworthy. The wellnigh impos-
sible task that lay before them did not
daunt these men in the face of corporate
power dominated by Coils y. Huntington
that seemed to battle every honest effort.
inc leaders in that movement and par
ucularly those who remained true to their
trusts have earned the perpetual graft
tude OF the, people of Southern California
and all well wishers for the prosperity Of
Los Angeles.
The first concerted action in favor Of
the free harbOr was an address to the
members OF the Fifty-third Congress in
January, 1885, detailing at length the
gross injustice that was being put upon
the people Of Southern California by the
tactics Of the Southern Pacific Railroad.
In the face of all opposition ii must be
recorded, every examining board appoint
ed by the President by direction Of Con-
gress to examine and report upon the
merits of the two sites-San Pedro de-
sired by the people, and Santa Monica,
supported by Coils p Huntington, and
Where a big wharf had been constructed
by the Southern Pacifc-decided without
hesltancy IN favor of San Pedro.
When in 1892 a board of five army engf-
neers again reported strongly in favor Of
san Pedro II was predicted that all oppo-
sluOn would disappear. When Congress
met the inSidious influence of the rail-
road octopus was again manifest, as 1t
became evident through legislative tao
tics that public and Congressional Opin-
ION was being influenced by a species Of
warfare common to Huntington. The
struggle Tor supremacy then became in
tense and delegations We're sent TO Con-
gress from Los Angeles to place the case
or the people before that body in it's true
aspect The efforts of the people against
corporation greed seemed blocked when
the House of Congress recommended the
appropriation of S2,99S,0O0 through a com
mttee report for deepening the harbor at
Santa Monica.
A final onslaught on the enemy was
maze and the people succeeded in having
another commission Of five persons APP
pointed by the President and Secretary of
the Navy. Through Senator White the
bill appointing this board contained the
clause that the decision of the board.
whether the expenditure Of this 81 COS 600
should be made at SAN Pedro or at Santa
Monica. must be final and binding This
board met in Los Angeles. examined the
two sites, and during the three weeks Of
JUS laporS heard arguments and arrived
at conclusion. When the committee re-
turned TO Washington the report was ia
VOrable to San Pedro.
Again c. z. Huntington was baffled but
when a new danger in the arbitrary acts
Of Secretary of War Alger was discOv-
cred. he refusing to advertise for bids for
the construction of the breakwater as
was provided in the White measure. the
Indignation of the people of Los Angeles
knew no bounds. The subterfuge of Sec
rotary Alger to obtain an opinion from
the United States Attorney General was
so fragrant that this phase of the case
threa tened TO become a national scandal.
The people have triumphed against a
common enemy. as bids were finally asked
for, and when they were opened no less
than seventeen We're submitted. The con-
tract for the construction of the San Pc
drO breakwater was awarded to Held
for Sl20S.G4l a sum One-half less than
had been appropriated, thus refuting the
argument of Secretary AlEer that it was
not clear to him whether Congress intend
ed TO build q harbOr of refuge and for
commerce, and that if Congress did intend
that, there would not be sufficient money
for both.
Columns could he written in laudation
Of those who participated in the many
conflicts this agitation engendered and OF
those who persisted until the single en-
envy was driven TO cover. 1t is conceded
that the Chamber Of Commerce, Senator
Stephen NJ. White the Terminal Railway
and S. 3. Hynes, with other officers of
that corporation. and the Los Angeles
Times carried the brunt of battle. Others
who ChampiOned the cause of the people
are Colonel s d. HOuEhtOn. who is con-
sidered the father of the movement; eX-
Forman. w. c. Patterson, W. D. Wool
wine John F. Francis, Charles Weir. II.
HaWgOOd. T. W. King. +. X Rule, A NJ
Stevens. George W. Parsons. H. Z. Brook
c. y. Willard. 5. A Sheldon and ex-
Mayor Henry Hazard