The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 17, 1897, Page 1

o = i VOLUME LXXXI 109. PRICE FIVE CENTS. WORK CAN PROCEED AT SAN PEDRO Attorney-General McKenna's Opinion as Secretary Made Public. YTHE HARBOR SUFFICIENT FOR COMMERCE AND REFUGE. Now the War Department Is Authorized to Go On With of the Proposed Improvement of the Deep - Sea Harbor. WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept. 16.—The | ecision of the President and Cabinet to | d with the improvement of without San | further | on lowing opinion given by Attorney-Gen- eral McKenna to waiting gislation by Congress, is based the | ecretary of War Alger, made pubiic to-dav for the first time: “I have the honor to acknowledge the | eceipt of your communication of August n reiation to San Pedro harbor. The iry you provonnd, w-ich will be ated hereafter, grows out of the p-ovi- n of the river and harbor act of 5 | and a report of & board of engineers pro- vided to be appointed by it. i “You express doubts of your duty and ipfer under the act, and the report of the | 1as to whether the appropriation is | { \cient to provide for a harbor both of cijmerce and refuge. Aftor some discus- | n you say: ‘I possible, however, | that in order to complete this harbor for | commerce and of reiuge there may be pri- vite subseriptions by those who are finan- ciaily interested in ’ is the matter to enable he building of the breakwater and also to create or deepen the inner harbor and ap- proach to the same. The opinion of the | Attorney-General is therefore respectf requested as to whether the War Depart- | would be ju titiea in advertising for | making a d-pth | ead of thirty feet, as | ested in my communication of May heretofore referr d to, which would be ample, in my opinion, for the present | he whole work, and i of twenty-five f eet ins commerce of the Pacific centering here, | and also for an inner harbor (harbor of commerce) of say half the dimensions n i in my letter of May 18 , | his ing may be and should be! answered in the negat v», but I th law and your power under 1t, and termined ty the report of the board, may be considered more broadly.” ter quoting the act providing for the | 5o the ovinion continues: | “The statute, therefore, previded for a | deep-water harbor for commerce and of | -e at one of two places—San Pedro or | Port Los Angeles—and the appointrent | of a board to select the place and deter- | mioe the plans of improvement. It will | be observed that the powers of the boari | are large. There is a limitation of the amount to be expended—in all else the juogment of the board is free. They de cided between the places and the con- tracts of the Secretary of War are to ‘be according to the project reported by them.” The decision of the board is final as to location, and 1t shail be their ‘duty to make plans, specifications and estimates for said improvement,” and on their re- port ‘the Secretary of War may make contracts for the completion of the im- provement, * * * according to the project veported by them? The law itself, be- | sides, indicates the project. B.th the places mentioned, are open roadsteads; at both, therefore, a breakwater is neces- sary to mike protectea water a harbor of refuge, and this may be a harbor of com- | merce as well. This is obviously so at| Port Los Angeles, as we shall see. | The report is voluminous, too much | s0 to be quoted, and yet it can hardly be | understood any other way. The double function of the board to select and hence compare sites and report plans for both | Jed them into comments and comparisons | and an intermingling of considerations | somewhat confusing; nor did they ac- curately designate that wi ch was to be the work of private enterprise or that which was necesaary now and that which might beccme so with the advance of time and trade. I do mot think, nowever, that the quays or piers or whurves or the excavation of the d.cks formed by them are part of the project reported. They are the means by which private enterprise may avail itsslf of the project. “Some piers were already erected at Port Los Angeles. They were the prop- erty of the Southern Pacific Company and were to remain s0. The law only rcauired that other transportation companies hould be allowed to use them, bat, how- cver, upon such just and equitable terms «s should be sgreed on, or if agreement 1ail to be determined by the Secretary of War. “From & careful consideration of the re- port of the board I am of the opinion that {dav and night, as exvressed by Colonel | ! tion of a breakwater for an outer or deep- | sea harbor, and the opinion of the Attor- Given to Alger Is the Preliminaries the law and will make within its meaning a harbor for commerce and of refuge.” | e LOS ANGELES REJOICES. After a Battle Lasting Eight Years, San Pedro Is N-w Assured a Daep-Sea Harbor. LOS ANGELES, Car, Sept. 16.—Aftera battie that has lasted for eight years the | people of Los Angelesasre to-day rejoicing over what they consider is now an assured | victory for the deep-sea barbor at San Pedro. They look upon the opinion of Attorney-General McKenna, made public to-day, as removing the last obstacle in the way of the immediate beginning of work on the great projact. For the last vear the struggle resolved itself into a contest of the most intense character, occupying the minds and ener- oics of those active in the work here, botb | H. G. Ouis, president of the Free Harbor League. Alter reading the opinion of Attorney-Gereral McKenna, Colonel Ous expressed himself ‘as to the probable re- sults that will follow. He said: *1should say that the opinion of Attor- | ney-General McKenna settles the matter fully. There is no longer any room for quibblinz on the part of Secretary Alger. The opinion is one that seemed hardly necessary to have been cailed for. So tar as 1 have any judgment the act is cer- tainly not ambicuous in its terms. It provided specifically for the construction of a breakwater for a ‘harbor of commerce and of refuge,’ meaning one harbor, and that hartor a deep-sea harbor. The inner harbor another thing. The proof of this position is found in the fact that there is another appropriation for the improve- ment of the inner harbor. | “As we understand the matter here— | that is, nine-tenths of th= people—the ap- | propriation of $2,900,000 is designed ex- | plicitly and specifically for the constiuc- is nev-General in construing the law is eminently proper under the circumstances | and sound in law. “Three reports favorable to San Pedro were made by boards of United States army engineers, one of record, in addition to which body, was appointed by this last commission, a mixed | the President, under authority of Congress, to proceed | 1 4001%¢ only just to say at this time that | 8ulted President Diaz to-day during the to re-examine the situation and review | the reports of the army engineers. ltl PRESIDENT PORFIRIO DIAZ of Mexic 0, Who Was Assailed Yesterday During the Great Military Parade in Celebration of the Nation’s Independence. finally came to a conclusion supporting the official reports previously made, favor- able to San Fedro. “There is no allegation that Cougress it acted carelessly or corruptly. The law which we now seek to have executed was passed with all the lights which bear upon the subject before Congress. “I have nodoubt but Secratary Alver | will now proceed to advertise for bids, and that plenty of bids will be made for | the construction of a breakwater, and that the bids will be within the sum ap- propriated. three months before thé actual work wili begin. The advertisements will have to be pnblished for a certain length of time, and then the successful bidders will re- ‘grire time to get the necessarily large plant on the spot. Our peopie will be sat- | isfied with any reasonable delay, as long as they believe they will no longer be tricked. . “The benefits from the construction ot this breakwater for a deep-sea harbor will not be local. It is not for Los Angeles alone. It isanimprovementof anational character and will make Los Angeles the enterinz port for a large commerce with- out question. I consider it of vastiy more importance to this entire section than would be indicated by the mere expendi- ture of a few million dollars in this locality. “The fact that it is certain the harbor | will be built will affect the investment of capital in this part of the State most ma- terially. Everyindustry that now exists will be greatly stimulated and undoubt- edly many new enterprises will be puton foot. Among other things that will re- sult will be the consiruction of the long- projected railroac between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City within the next few years. *'1 confidently believe that the recent action of the President and Cabinet has effectively disposed of the hesitation and doubts of the Secretary of War, and he can no longer escape tbe performance of his duty if he ever intended to escape it, Continued on Third Page. It will take probably two or | | Y | | | PORFIRID | actea iu ignorance of the situation or that | DN 1S ASSAILED Mexico’s President the Target of Ignacio Anulfo. DONE DURING A BIG| DEMONSTRATION. Troops on Parade to Celebrate the Independence of the Nation. THEN THE SENSATIONAL BLOW IS STRUCK. Prompt Arrest of the Assallant! Saves Him From the Fury of an Enraged Populace. CITY OF MEXICO, MEx, Sept. 16— Ignacio Arnulfo, a vioienu character, as- military procession usual on Independence day. The man was felled with a cane by a companion of the President and wasim- mediately taken into custody by the mu- thorities. The central thoroughfare of this city, extending from the great plaza to the Alameda, or public park, and known by various names, was thronged by a great number of people, assembled to see the military procession ysual on Independ- ence aay. Gendarmes on each side of the street kept the crowd from pressing the march- ers on the way to take part in the public exercises at tlie Alameda, after which the military parade was to marcn through tne sarys street, on its way to the Natina! Palace, 10 be reviewed by President Diaz. The scene was immensely picturesque, the historic avenue, caslited by George Augustus Sala one of the famous streets of the world, being all aglow with color and the Spanish-fashioned balconies filled with ladies in brilliant toilettes. Afier ashort wait the rumor ran through the crowd that the President was coming and on foot, dressed in the uniform of a general of division. The President, bow- ing right and left to the applauding crowd, came, immediately behind him being General Pradilio, the Governoro: the National Pulace. who served in the same capacity under Emperor Maximihan. Following them were other officers, Cabinet Ministers, etc. Suddenly near the Alameda’there was | a disturbance in the crowd on the side- walk and a well-built muscular man, with flowing black hair and mustache, forced his way by tremendous effort past the gendarmes and jumped between the Presi- dent and General Pradiilo and the chier of staff, Monasterio, and dealt a blow at the back of the President’s neck, but the vio- lence of the blow was diminished by the jact that he was crowded between the President and the officers immediately following him. The President turned around and caught sight of bis assailant and resumed his march with admirable steadiness. Mean- time Chiefof Staff Monasterio hit the man with a cane, and the would-be assassin, turning, seizeéd it and broke it. General Continued on Third Page. MEMORABLE ALLNIGHT CONFERENCE How the Republicans of San Francisco Gained Recog- nition in the Board of ‘Supervisots. GOVERNOR BUDD ADVISED BY JOHN D. SPRECKELS. New Supervisors Enter Upon Their Duties. The Ousted Members Threaten to Pass a Tax Levy—Clerk John A. Russell Recognizes the New Board. The prolonged conference which took | appoint. The wovernor did not hesitate place at Governor Budd’s apartments at the Palace Hotel during the hours of | Wedresday night and Thursday morning | was one of the most remarkable sessions | in the hisiory of the State. The Governor came to San Francisco in | response to Mayor Phelan’s wire, arriving in the city at 5:45p. M. Wednesdsy. He came with the firm conviction that the power to appoin: the Supervisors rested with the executive of the State. Heen- tertained that opinion from the begin- nine, and nis conviction was strengthened by an official opinion from the Attorney- General. Therefore he went into the con- terence feeling that he was strongly en-| trenched, and bad the right,1f he pre- ferred to exercise it, of appointing every member of the board without consulta- tion with anybody. He deemed it proper, however, to ask the advioce and judgment of Jonn D. Spreckels, the memuer of the Republican National Committee from Cal- ifornia, and .the recognized leader of that party in the. State, as to the fitness and qualifieations of the Republican mem- bers to be selected for the board. The Governor invited to the conference Mayor Phelan, Attorney-General Fitzger- ald, William M. Hinton (Registrar of Voters), Major Harney of the Harbor Commission, Frank Gould (ex-chairmau of the Democratic State Central Commit- tee), Colenel William P. Sulliuan Jr. (the Mayor’s secreiary), George K. Fiteh and a representative of the Examiner's ab- sentee editor. When the Governor announced that the judgment of John D. Spreckels would guide him in the selection of the Repub- lican members resentative of the absentee impudently interposed a protest, and contended that the Republicans should have no voice in the selection of the Supervis- ors. The' Governor instantly and em- phatically disregarded this protest and expressed a sentiment that Mr. Spreckels shoula notonly be consulied as to the Re- publican appointees, but his opinion, as a leading citizen of San Francisco, should have weight in determining the qualifica- tions of the Democratic members. While Mayor Puelan and Governor Budd had mutually agreed Tuesday that each would appoint the same twelve men, the Governor was somewhat surprised to find that the list of twelve submitted by Mr. Phelan did not contain the names of several men that the Governor desired to the project reported by them is a §veak- water and that it fuifills the provision of THE NEW \ \ \\\ R RN bl BOARD AS IT MET TO CONSIDER THE TAX LEVY LAST NIGHT. N AR N of the board the rep-| to dissent and gave the gentlemen pres- ent to understand distinctly that he would have certain men on the board, even if it became necessary to exercizse his preroga- | tive of appointing all of them. Several stormy acenes were events of the long session. Tha clamor of thedisputants was so great that it could be heard out in the corridors of the hotel. T'he representa- tive of the Examiner’s absentee editor rais=d his voice in angry protests against the appointment of William Dresbach, shouting so loud that he conld be heard along distance “that the Governor would be charged with corruption if he should make the appointment.’”’ The Governor with equal emphasis responded, “What of it? Were you not charged with corrup- tion in the Legislature?” There was no mincing of the phrases, and at times the language was highly spiced. The Guvernor had gone into the session as master of the sitaation and resolved io retain the mastery. He readi- Iy con-ented to the four “clean’’ members of the old board. In his ultimatum he named three Republicans. Toone in par- ticular vigorous objection was made. At 1 o'clock in the morning eleven names had been accepted, although the Mayor reluctantly consented to two. Still there remained one, and for two hours the battle turned on that particu- lar selection. Shortly after midnight Governor Budd handed in his ultimatum aud went to bed in an adjoining apart- ment. A few minutes before three o’clock the ultimatum made by the Governor was accepted and the twelfth man was named. As Mayor Phelan left the apartments of the Palace Hotel he was asked by a CALn repor'er what he thought of the board. The Mayor replied: ‘It is not my board, but it is a good one.” George K. Fitch, the veteran newspaper man who 1nstituted proceedings to oust the old Board of Supervisors, remained as did the Mayor until the final agreement had been reached. When his opinion was asked as to the new board he replied: *'L thiak itis a good board.” In order to avoid any possible conflict of authority and to further support each appointee in the possession of his office, the Governor directed his secretary, who had a supply of blank commissions with him, to make out a commission, which was duly signed by the Governor, to be presented to each one of the twelve men appointed. It wasalsoagreed that the Mayor should formally appoint each of the twelve men to the office of Supervisor for the city and county of San Francisco. At the conclusion of the session Gove ernor Budd said he believed the new Supervisors would give to the people good government. The four Republican members of the new board are: Charles Ashton, F. W, Dohrmann, Joseph Britton and John Lackmann. s o e THE NEW BOARD. First Regular Sassion Yestar&ly. Clerk John A. Russell Refuses to Recognize ex-Supervisors. Bricht and early yesterday morning the Supervisors appointed by the Governor and Mayor were at the new City Hall to assume the duties of office. Dr. Clinton was the only absent member. The others met the Mayor at 7 o’clock and received thelr credentials. The oath of office was duly administered and the new members at once filed their bonds respectively, which the Mayor promptly approved. As every member of the new board is now supyorted by a commission from the Governor in addition to the appointment “by the Mayor the newly appointed twelve are in a position to treat all who may seek todispute their authority asusurpers. The first regular session of the new board was held in the chamber of the Supervisors at 10 A. M. Mayor Pheian presided. He stated to the members that he would before rioceeding file a certified copy of the orderissued by Jjudge Wallace ousting the previous board. He read the order and handed it down to Clerk Russell with instructions to record it as of record. “I now desire to announce,” said the Mayor, “‘the appointment by me, by au- thority vested in me by the consolidation act of this city and county, and by the Governor of the State, by authority in him vested by the constitution, of the followinez gentlemen as members of the 1 Board of Supervisors .of the city and | county of San Francisco.” The Mayor read the list and handed it