Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-15
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "WAR
HORSES" CONFER
JOHN FOX EXPLAINS NEEDS OF
SAN PEDRO HAR5oR
Expert Urges Los Angeles to Impress
ON Congress Need Of Big APP
preparation for Local
Port

chamDer oil cOmmerce-ldSL HlSHJ III
Levy's cafe, is the first OF a series oil
workers" dinners for the purpose OF
discussing matters prominent before
| the chamber Of commerce at the pres
ent time and pertinent to the industrial
welfare of Los Angeles.
The gathering last night was in
| formal but instructive. Among the
projects discussed were the develop
ment of Los Angeles harbor, consolida-
| ton movement, aqueduct, work, the
progress of annexation, the efforts 10
| secure Uunited States assay office In
| Los Angeles, work in the Imperial val
| ley. the plans for an exposition build
| ing at Agricultural park, the endeavors
| To further the Panama steamship line
| the protection of California in the re-
vision of the tariff and the building ur
of the membership Of the chamber OF
| commerce.
President Willis II. Booth of the
chamber of commerce presided and
after dinner he explained the purpose OF
| the meetings. The idea of such gather
ings, he said, is to further the work OF
| the chamber of commerce and to ac-
| quaint the active workers with the live
subjects and endeavors of the chamber
| in promoting the Industrial welfare OF
| the Angel city.
| Mr. Booth dwelt briefly on what had
been accomplished by the chamber,
mentioning in particular that 1t was
| this body that first took definite action
| in the great reclamation projects, and
pointed out the completion of the Yuma
| dam as an example of what concen-
trated action could produce. He ex-
| pressed pleasure at the attendance OF
/ the "war horses" of the chamber who
were active In the interests of Los All
| geles, when some of the younger men,
| bers were learning their A b Cs.
John Fox Speaks
John A. Fox, special director Of the
| National Rivers and Harbors congress,
was the first speaker. Mr.. Fox gave an
interesting and scholarly talk on the
work of the national congress, and by
| figures and examples of what has been
accomplished in eastern cities gave
| suggestions pertinent to the lettering
of Los Angeles
1.-THE project of deepening harbors is
| a subject of great interest to all mer-
chants" said Mr.. Fox, land I know OF
no locality where the Importance of
such project is more applicable than
| here In Los Angeles. 1t Is well known
| fact that all great cities are located on
waterways, and such facts are not CO.
| medicines, but there is reason. Cities
| on or adjacent to waterways benefit in
the one great feature of commerciaiism
1
| portation.
.sThe United States government has
expended $5S7, 100000 for river improve
ments, but this sum is insignificant
| compared to what other countries have
expended in developing their water
| highways.
"Germany, which does not boast OF as
large an area as the United states, has
spent millions more in deepening its
harbors and improving its natural
waterways.
More money for such purposes
should be appropriated and this money
should be spent more judiciously. The
| present policy of developing waterways
should be changed. The western cities,
which have not been cared for properly,
should receive as much attention as the
large eastern cities, where millions of
dollars have been wisely expended in de-
veloping water transportation methods,
Water transportation has been found
to cost but one-sixth of rail transports
ton, and this fact alone should make 1t
appeal to all.
1.-THE commerce of the United States
is doubling every decade, yet the
growth of railroads is small in COM
parison, and the question of expedi-
tious transportation must be solved by
the water route.
Big Appropriation Needed
"Los Angeles should receive large
appropriation for the further deepen
ing of San Pedro harbor, SO that ocean
liners may reach an inland port and
discharge their cargoes at a great saw
| ing In transportation, and also to the
great fruit producers who ship their
| products at high rates. Each year tho
| figures show that the producers and
buyers of Los Angeles are paying $13,-
100000 as penalty for not having an
| inner harbor"
Mr.. Fox then cited figures showing
the possibilities of internal waterways
ard the cheapness of such method
| Of transportation as compared with
railroad rates. The speaker showed
that the progress of civilization had
| diverted the, course of rivers and made
artificial labor necessary. He stated
| that San Pedro harbor should be deep
ened to thirty-one feet, which would
allow the ingress of great ships. He
duced by the expenditure of small
amount Of money In developing a
waterway along the great lakes.
Urges Strong Action
Mr.. Fox urged the members of the
chamber of commerce to take the mi
tiative in starting a campaign of edu-
CdJlOH anu 10 tudhC a. SitOhS anu
united demand that congress heed the
needs of the Pacific coast states in the
matter Of waterways.
Major III. T. Lee gave an interesting
talk on the uses of the national board
of public works, and William Mulhol-
land told of what was being accom-
plished on the aqueduct.
Stoddard Jess spoke forcibly in favor
of consolidation, and urged the mem
bers of the chamber to use their ut
most endeavors to make consolidation
complete success. so that the name
Greater Los Angeles would be known
throughout the world.
e. e. McStay, chairman of the MEM
bership committee. told of the strenu-
Gus and successful efforts that are be-
ing made to Increase the membership
of the chamber of commerce.
A rising vote of thanks to the speak
ers followed, and the first of the series
of workers dinners'' was voted a
great success.
Those present were Willis H. Booth
John A. Fox, Stoddard Jess. William
Mulholland. FL. ]. Brainerd, A. p.
Fleming, William d. Stephens, Gilbert
s. Wright, Frank l.. Forester G. r..
Bittinger. C. Q. Loomis, John s.
Mitchell, William G.. Hutchinson. WAL
ter Raymond. N. b. Blackstone Percy
H. Clark, jay Spence, Harley Hamil-
ton. Sherman Pease,e Arthur w. Kin
ney, Robert N. Bulla, w. r. Heustis,
D. @. McGarvin, ]. p. Yates. e. p.
Bosbyshell. Frank Simpson, ir.. AM
drew ]. Copp, jr., r. d. Bronson,
James IrVing IT. " Owen a n John-