The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-10-19
.SAVANNAH'S HARB0R
Provisions FOR A 2s-FoOT CHAN
MEL - BE MADE.
COL. TESTERS INFLUENCE.
4 POWERFUL FACTOR N BEHAI.F
or THE IMPROVEMENT.

Htver and Harbor BiIt 60 Tie Present.
-d to Congress Ia Deceniber-Capt.
CtIIctte's Good work in Connec-
tton wfth the Mntter-Nr. G.eaken'a
Candidacy Not Regarded seriously
in Mashington-M hat Would 60
win Him la the House.
Washington. oct iS-Thero Is an cArn-
est desire on the part OF the War Do
partment ofnciala TO have savannah har-
Dor improved To tho full extent Of Is com
mercial requirements Engineer officers
admit thar Savannah and Cumkeriand
Sound have suffered in consequence q
the disclosures in tho case of Capt carter.
la conversation with Col Mackenzie. in
charge of tho river and harbor division OF
the corps of engineers. on this subject.
learned thar it Is the intention Of tho all
ministraton to urge upon Congress tho
importance of passing river and harbor
bin during the early hours OF the coming
short session. IN noccmber.
Representative Burton Of ohio. chair
man of the River ana Harbor Committee
Of the House. whie Ia Washington
few days ago said be would issue call
Tor the committee 10 assembl. Immediate
iy after the presidential election. 10 pre-
pare the river ana harbor bill. 20 that
/ u may bo prcfentcd as soon Az Congress
convouos II is hts Intention to try ana
secure its passage before the Chr.stmas
holiday recess Is taken.
There is no doubt ln the mind OF Col.
Mackenzie that provision FOR giving sa-
vanuah harbor a depth Of p feet Of wnter
/ VIII be made n the new river aud hnr-
bor BILL Col Mackenzie went on. 10 say
/ that the Interests Of Savannah are being
I faithfully and ably looked after by Capt.
Gillette. ana the appointment 81 the
board ~ officers. now in session az savnn-
nah 10 examine ard report as 20 what
/ changes or notifications err nceeasary TO
carry out the plans for deeps ming savan-
nah hartor was prompted by a compre-
hensive supplemental reporL-recently sub
miiied 10 tho chief Of engineers by Capt
/ Gillette.
An tnnnswerahic Argument.
! In HIS report. which Is now In the banda
OF the Chief OF Engineers. Capt Gillette.
makes an unanswerable plea for a project
4 which. u faithfully carried out. will give
/ savannah harbor ample facilities Tor the
/ evcr-increasing commerce OF that Indus
irious and thriving port.
/ Col Mackenzie says q IL unf0rtunnte
/ that che appropriation for Savannah has
been tied up In consequence Of the Carter
complications. but there Is clear sky Ia
I sight FOR savannah. and IN the near fu-
I ture she VIII gei her Just deserts In the
/ matter OF hnrbor improvements The
/ chief of Engineers has managed 90 keen
the dredginE of the channel going right
along and On annual appropriation for Inst
work has been steadily recommended bv
the Secretary Of War In his reports 10
| Congress.
u Is quite probable that some modinca-
/ lions viii be suggested IN the original
| Carter plans as a result 81 che pending
examination by the board Of which Col
/ Peter G. Hnines Is senior officer but IN
1 any event it ia quite certain that II win
/ be- necessary 10 build modern daep sea
/ dredge and keep q stationed permanently
in Savannah. Charleston o. now having
one constructed for her harhor. and two
I others are being built for use along the
/ soIth Atlantic coast
Due Co Congressman Lester.
OF course there g. something besides the
| friendly deposition on the part OF the
War Department 30 secure for savannah
| hnrhor all that she requires IN the coming
| river and h1rD0f bin The previous good
work Of Col Lester. as the ranking Demo-
cratic member OF the River aud Harbor
Committee Is really az the bottom OF the
| friendly feeling IN behalf of Savannah.
Long experience IN Congress and elective
servic" on that important committee has
taught Col. Lester the value 81 reciprocity.
He has always managed to maintain cor
dial relations with the engineer 4 part
meni Of the army because be was ever
willing to recognize their just recon-
mcndatlons Ia behalf Of merit0rious rr3-
| Jects. and coming from a iivc,y commcs-
cial city like Savannah. could better an
preciate the demands Of commerce thsn
some OF the members OF the committees
who represent inland towns The Colo
mel has quiet but effective method oe
looking after the interests OF his cona,i-
tuents which members of other delega-
tions would be glad 20 initiate. u they
| only could only catch on 10 his persuasive
system.
a MIA for Patronage.
At Republican or Democratic congress
sional headquarters but little. II any. stock
la taken IN the announcement that As
sistant District Attorney Loaken Is going
TO compete for congressional honors with
Col. Lester. from the Savannah District.
II is aurmiaed that Mr. Leakcn anticipates
the recollection Of President Mckinley and
IN order 60 retain his position and az the
same time control the federal patronage
In Savannah, ne u Wiling 10 offer himself
up as an official sacrifice on the political
altar. This Is the view Georgians at this
end OF the line take OF Mr. Lcakeu's can
dldacy. He muss realize that he has no
show Of defeating Cot Lester. Indeed.
there are many Republicans who are anx-
ious for Col. Lester 20 remain in Con-
Rrers. because OF his liberal and broad
minded stntesmanshlp IN dealing with
great national questions.
Fancy. for an instant the voters of aa-
vannah. disrcEardinr their own CONNER
clai interests 20 the extent Of sending
Col Lester into retirement. and substi-
tutlng for him the genial and aifnble Mr..
Leaken The latter would come 20 WASH
ington a the very time when Savannah
needs an infiuenf .al man 20 represent her
IN the House II the Democrats should
carry the House. what would become of
Mr. Lcaken when the committee assign
ments are mnde7 Would he 90 on the
River and Harbor Committee. one of the
most desirable committees next 20 the
Committee on Appropriations Not much.
lie would be- buried at the tall-end Of
some insignificant committee. where he
would never be heard from. and Il might
take two or three terms for him 70 Sc
cure one-half the recognition that Col.
Lester enjoys. on the other hand. should
the Democrats elect the next Speaker.
Col Lester, as the ranking Democrat on
the COMMITTED would naturally succeed 20