Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-16
PUBLIC MUST
DEFEND HARBOR
PRESENT SITUATION CRITICAL
FOR FREE PROJECT
RAILROAD INTERESTS AROUSE
ANTAGoNISM
jealousy AGAINST Los Angeles in San
Francisco Inspired to Cripple Local
Observation-Disclosures AS
sociation Grows

DIR. r. w. Hill, a prominent Los
Angeles physician, says that the Jeai-
ousy in San Francisco over the growth
of Los Angeles is growing intense
and that every possible effort Will
he made by that city to defeat any
nlan for harbor advancement in Los
Angeles county that may come before
the legislature. DR.. Hill recently
spent some time in San Francisco, ana
he saws a surprising amount OF inter-
oct &c taken there in the local harbor
project. u4 s+a+e
harbor commission under any clrcuIll-
stances" he said yesterday. II Woulu
simnlv he playing into the hands OF
the interests who are opposed TO d
free harbor. The Southern Paclhc Goes
not object to a harbor commission u
be appointed by the governor: san
Francisco and the Southern Paclne
will work together against Los All
geles. 49,. ,,,,io,
1--WE must wake up to the crucial
imnortance of this, and to the tact
that it is an immediate question. 1t
means nothing more nor less imam d
choice between making this a great
MORT with a worldwide commerce or
consenting to become a mere local
station. If we let the politicians take
over the disposition of the haroor there
will be but one result, and we CANNOT
afford to permit it.
For Free Harbor
"a free harbor with the wharVes
and docks in the hands of railroad cor
porations is not a whit better than
the present situation, when we see
steamer lines turned away and hlSn
discriminating rate from important
foreign ports in effect against us.
"Our opportunities are too immense
and the public spirit of Los Angeles
is too great to make it thinkable that
the present status will be borne. But
people do not realize that rapid fire
action is needed. When the pubic
understands the Importance of this
there will be a general indignation
that we need so much before election.
1--WE must not permit any makeshifts
or halfway methods like this proposed
harbor commission under the gov
erors thumb. We must have a free
and untrammeled proposltlon carried
forward on a large basis with the ideal
of bringing shipping here that Will
make this a port known in all parts
of the world. We can do it, but must
not forget that we are to fight hard
for our rights"
Public Interest Growing
The Municipal Waterways association
is likely to be confronted soon with
the proposition of amending its con-
stitution to allow a larger membership.
The present limit is 1000. and it was
thought by the associations organ
izers that this would not be reached
for a year.
interest has been go marked in har-
Dor improvement that the 1000 limit
has been almost reached, and new
memberships are coming in daily. The
associations policy has struck pop
ular approval, and the limitation as
to number of members will probably
be changed.
Expressions of encouragement and
interest continue to be a feature of
the application blanks received by the
association. Many of the signers take
occasion to add few lines showing
their appreciation of the Importance
of the harbor improvement. The as
sociation's officials have been discrim-
mating in admission of new members,
and they are confined to representa-
tive men who are known to be un-
affiliated with private interests seek
ing to control the harbor. The beach
towns and the county are well repre-
sented in the list of members.