Imperial Valley press., 1912-07-15

that due regard for the salient points
has been observed and that the pier
as designed will work in harmony
with future development south of that
point.
You will further note how incon-
sruous the present wharves are when
compared with modern and systematic
design; how impossible it is to intelli-
gently construct piers south of ID
street without infringing upon existing
franchises. 1t is obvious that the old
docks should be cleared out of the way
before new and modern docks are
built.
Referring to pamphlet published by
the Civic association, entitled, Found.
One Magnificent Site for TWO Great
Municipal Piers on the Commercial
Waterfront. l wish to say that this
particular site was thoroughly consid-
cred and rejected for the reason thai
not even one pier could be properly
placed in this space without infringing
upon the franchises of the San Diego
Lumber company and the San Diego
and Arizona railroad Besides, it is
highly probable that since the United
States government has shifted the bulk
! head line at this point from 200 to 100
feet from mean high water mark, the
projecting area OF the San Diego and
Arizona railroad franchise lying in
side the bulk head line and between
Eight and Ninth streets would be car
ried out to the new bulk head line and
would therefore further contract this
otherwise cramped space. To say the
least, we would be courting serious
litigation TO lead pier from this point
on the new bulk head line.
1T must be borne in mind that the
reclamation of the tide lands is of
quite as much Importance to the de-
! velopment of the commerce of this
port as the docks themselves. The
|
offer to the merchant importer and
exporter the most liberal inducements
TO locate at this port. If necessary
to secure his business free leases OF
sites for business enterprises should
be given. Competition for business
will be keen. Our powerful neighbor
| IN he nf ic
preparations at San Pedro to capture
the distribution at Sasinwtheirnboevs
the distribution of the commerce of
the southwest and you can wager the
bidding will be strong, the result-the
cid story the survival of the fittest.'
In the D street location We will
| have reclaimed between so and 60
acres OF tide lands that can be leased
out for the purposes above mentioned
At no place south of d street can one
fourth of this amount be reclaimed
contiguous to a municipal dock with
out infringement The value of the
lands actually reclaimed at the D
street site and under the present pro-
posed bond issue of $1,00O0O0 is con-
Servatively estimated by competent
real estate men at 100000 to $4,000
per acre. Using the lower figure and
the lowest estimate of acreage we will
then have 81 800, 900 worth OF reclaim
ed tide lands which can be leased out
based upon this valuation, or if neces-
sary to secure business, as above stat
ed, leased out at a very nominal rental
In selecting the D street site for
the initial expenditure, We absolutely
free the bonds from all possible legal
entanglements, thereby assuring mu-
nicipal control and practically free
harbor for all ships, whether they be
tramps or ships Of fixed lines"
During the campaign before the
bond issue election committee from
the chamber OF commerce did heroic
work for the cause and was greatly
instrumental in the victory that fol-
!, lowed. This committee issued ltera-
ture from time 10 time explaining the
plans for harbor acquisition and i'm
, provement and summarized the argu-
ments for and against the bond issue
Some OF the arguments used by this
committee were as follows:
, 'In less than two years ships will
be passing through the Panama canal.
. In three years the canal will be fully
completed and western commerce will