Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-22
SEES SAN PEDRO
AMONG WORLDS
GREATEST PORTS
. FORMER OMAHA MAYOR MAKES
GLOWING PROPHECY
DECLARES TRADE OPPORTUNITY
BEST IN SIGHT
Predicts Influx of Raw Material to
Los Angeles to Be Worked
Up Into Manufactured
Products

san PEDRO cannot escape becoming
one of the worlds greatest ports II the
consolidation plans carry" said X. =.
Gushing, former mayor of Omaha, Neb,
yesterday. Mr.. Cushing was next to
the successful bidder tor the govern
ment breakWater at San PEDRO, and
has been connected with some of the
largest railroad and other construction
undertakings in the west. He has re-
tired from business and came to Los
Angeles to reside two months ago. his
business interests have made him thor
oughly familiar with the transportation
and port development of the country
"There is no greater opportunity any
where than exists around the port OF
Los Angeles today" said Mr.. Cushing.
1.-The breakwater as 1t stands now Is
only a skeleton of what is TO come. II
can be extended and widened for deep
sea vessels, and there will be no better
harbor protection anywhere in the world.
Opportunity is offered for ample facill-
ties for a great commerce.
Good Shipping Point
"Then you have here such splendid
chances for building up shipping. In
addition to the people already here and
coming in the regular growth of Los
Angeles, thousands will be brought by
the development of manufactures that
will be made possible through the har-
bor. From a transportation standpoint
it will be easier to reach into Califor-
mia, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and even
further back by the railroads running
out of Los Angeles than from any
other seaport. You have the cheapest
fuel on earth here, and an immense
supply. ,5.o,
spot for receiving raw materials and
sending them out as manufacturer
products, and you ultimately will find
raw material coming from two great
sources-the Pacific northwest on one
side and Central and South America on
the other-both immensely rich, to be
worked up at Los Angeles. The fact
that the harbor is so near the direct
transoceanic route which will be opened
with the Panama canal makes this
condition certain.
1arbor is Key
'"The harbor is the key to a wonder
full development if it is made ready in
time The growth of Los Angeles Ger.
tainly has been remarkable. When l
was here about tWenty-siX years ago
the city centered about the plaza and
the old church, and they were just
building the Nadeau house, which was
on the edge of town, it seemed then. l
came back fifteen years ago to find
great change, but new l can recognize
only one or two buildings besides the
old hotels; the city has broadened out
so that I feel as if l had never been
here before.
But all this growth will seem like
nothing if the seaport opens up your
manufacturing possibilities. ! went
down to san Pedro the other day and
saw the breakwater for the first time
since its completion, and l was even
more impressed with the possibilities
of the harbor than when 1 figured on
the breakwater work. There will be
room here for the shipping of the world
and for docks and Wharves to handle
business sufficient to make Los Angeles
a city of more than million.
Situation Fortunate
"You know the world is growing, and
its business, shipping and commerce
grow with it. The situation at San
Pedro harbor is a fortunate one in al
lowing ample ground to expand, and
as business calls for expansion 1t viii
not be necessary to cast about Tor a
new harbor. One of the largest har-
bors in the world may be built for Los
Angeles at san Pedro, and still there
will be room for expansion
Mr.. Gushing also is greatly interested
in the good roads movement, and has a
national reputation as an expert on
road building. He believes that the
Los Angeles county good roads plan
will attract widespread comment on
Southern California enterprise when
under way.