USA > California > Los Angeles County > Ingersoll's century history, Santa Monica Bay cities prefaced with a brief history of the state of California, a condensed history of Los Angeles County, 1542-1908 > Part 23
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In noticing the shore line of Santa Monica Bay the report mentions the rocky places, in front of which it is not proposed to place a breakwater and neglects the real point from the S. P. Wharf, southward, where there are no rocks and a good bottom for pile driving and anchorage. Again, on San Pedro Bay, from Point Fermin to Timm's Point, all of which will form a part of the shore line in the harbor, it is very rocky. This fact is not noticed, but mention is specially made of the shore line further south where there are no rocks, and which will not be within the limits of the harbor. It is claimed that the bottom is irregular in the bay of Santa Monica, deepening towards Point Dumé and to- wards Point Vincent. This is correct. But the bottom is regular and the water deepens gradually, at the point where it is proposed to locate the harbor. The area of San Pedro Bay is said to be a plateau, with the five fathom line half a mile from shore and with a rocky bottom in the present anchorage, as is shown by the presence of kelp. The facts show that the water is deep enough at either place, with rocks at San Pedro and none at Santa Monica. Then where does the superiority of San Pedro come in?
It is admitted that Santa Monica Bay is protected to the southward by the highlands and at the proposed harbor site it is protected from the northwest -- the exposure being mainly on the southwest. Catalina Island, it is admitted, also adds in some degree as a shelter. San Pedro Bay is protected from a northwester, and to some extent by Catalina, but entirely exposed to a south- easter. It quotes from the report of 1890 and admits, " The aggregate angle of the exposure of the two bays is the same." Then, we ask again, what advantage has San Pedro over Santa Monica? in the way of protection ?
Santa Monica bay has also the advantage in being nearer Los Angeles, but the matter is slurred over with the remark that the cost of transportation depends upon grades and curves, and that the distance was so small that it was thought unnecessary to give them any important weight in selecting a site. With all deference to these learned gentlemen, we say that it is important. Fourteen miles in the round trip for a hundred cars a day (which is not a large day's run) would be 1400 miles on one car-nearly half the distance to New York.
Upon the cost of construction, the engineers differ. The report contends that rock could be transported by the scow-load from Catalina Island, twenty-one miles distant, to San Pedro cheaper than the same amount of material could be brought from Coldwater canyon, eleven miles down grade by rail to Santa Monica. Equally competent engineers deny this proposition.
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As we have before said, a harbor is an improvement whose utility extends indefinitely into the future. It is therefore of the first importance that a site should be selected where the status of the harbor is least likely to be disturbed. It is a well-known fact that the offing at San Pedro, which will be included in the breakwater, has been shoaling for years, and that it would only be a question of time when the harbor would lose its usefulness, or else have to be kept open by expensive dredging. Even Col. Mendell admitted this point to the writer. Then why not, if necessary, expend a larger amount for a permanent harbor at Santa Monica?"
After the making of this report, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce sent Gen. Charles Forman as a special delegate to Congress, accompanied by T. E. Gibbon. They were the bearer of numerous petitions and resolutions from various individuals and organizations of Southern California, urging an immediate appropriation for the San Pedro harbor. But it was a "short session " and it was stated that appropriations would not be large, and, in fact, none was made. It was now claimed that the Southern Pacific was exercising undue influence to prevent the appropriation for San Pedro and the slogan of the " free harbor " was taken up. The Los Angeles Times threw itself into the fight with all its vigor and the Chamber of Commerce took a decided stand in favor of San Pedro. But the completion of the long wharf and the advantages thus given to Los Angeles merchants led many to begin to look upon the possibility that, after all, Santa Monica might not be so far off in her claims. A petition signed by eighty-three merchants of Los Angeles representing over ten millions of busi- ness capital was drawn up and the Chamber of Commerce was asked to endorse it, which asked for an appropriation for "the construction of a breakwater and creation of a harbor at Santa Monica, independent of any appropriation which may be needed to maintain in good condition what is known as the inner harbor of San Pedro and Wilmington."
A compromise resolution, asking an appropriation for a deep-water harbor at Santa Monica and also to dredge out and improve the inner harbor at San Pedro, was proposed, and a vigorous protest against both these resolutions was made. Mr. C. D. Willard, in his Free Harbor Contest, says: "The sessions of the board were supposed to be executive, but a reporter of the Express managed to smuggle himself into the room as an assistant clerk and remained there through the whole session. The next day the members of the Chamber became aware, through the publication of the debate, that the board was any- thing but unanimous on the subject of the harbor site and the discussion was taken up in earnest all over the city. Henry T. Hazard, who was at that time mayor of the city, led the debate on the San Pedro side, seconded by Mr. Patter- son and Gen. Forman ; and the principal Santa Monica advocates were Mr. James B. Lankershim and Mr. L. N. Breed. On three different occasions, when the matter was about to come to a vote, an adjournment was secured. In the course
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of the long debate, Santa Monica gained and San Pedro lost. At first it was the Santa Monica men that dared not come to a vote, but in the end the condi- tions were reversed and it was clear that if a decision were reached in the board, it must be against San Pedro."
" As a result of this situation, when it became evident that, if the board took action-and it could not well be longer postponed-the result would be a change of front for the Chamber, a ballot of the members of the organization was called for.
" The weeks' campaign that followed was the most remarkable that ever occurred in the history of Los Angeles. The Times used every means in its power and the strongest language it could command to enforce the San Pedro side of the contest. The Terminal railway was equally active. The Santa Fe also took sides for San Pedro. April 7th, 1894 the members of the Chamber of Commerce balloted, the result being 328 for San Pedro and 131 for Santa Monica, which, with the influences at work, was a foregone conclusion.
"In June the matter was brought up in Congress and after a hearing of several weeks, which attracted wide attention, because it was now made a fight for a 'free harbor ' as against a harbor control led by a 'monopoly,' a motion was passed deferring the decision to permit the members of the Committee of Commerce to visit the two harbors and form an opinion for themselves.
" During the winter of 1894-95 the matter of the deep-water harbor was not brought up in Congress. The Chamber of Commerce continned its efforts in behalf of San Pedro, however, and the 'Free Harbor League ' was organized. In February, 1896, Col. H. G. Otis, Mr. W. G. Kerckhoff, Mr. W. C. Patter- son and Mr. W. D. Woolwine, were elected a special delegation to go to Wash- ington and lay the San Pedro case before the River and Harbor Committee of the House. Notwithstanding their able representation, the River and Harbor bill contained, when it was made up, two items: 'San Pedro, $392,000 and Santa Monica $3.098,000.'"
The effect of this information upon the San Pedro advocates in Washington and upon the public of Los Angeles, and, indeed all Southern California, was electrifying. The Chamber of Commerce and League, of course, at once took steps to re-affirm their position. Public mass meetings were held for each side. The city council and the Republican convention passed resolutions for both appropriations. Petitions for and against the proposed " double Harbor " scheme were circulated. Santa Monica people, took an active part in shaping the sentiment in favor of the Santa Monica appropriation and, naturally, were jubilant at the prospect of seeing their long hoped for dream fulfilled beyond the wildest hopes of even L. T. Fisher. The Santa Monica delegation in Wash- ington was made up of Mr. J. S. Slauson, Col. J. B. Lankershim, Mr. John W. Mitchell and ex-Senator Cornelius Cole. On April 23rd. Robert F. Jones, President of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, received this telegram
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from Mr. Mitchell. "Committee just voted Santa Monica Harbor one hundred thousand dollars immediately available. continuing contract system, which will permit contract for two million, eight hundred thousand to complete work. San Pedro inner harbor now being considered. Hard fight and close decision but think can be held in bill."
Senator White and the advocates of San Pedro bitterly opposed the passage of this bill and finally, as a compromise, a bill was passed which carried the full appropriation for a deep sea harbor to be located by a commission consisting of an officer of the navy, to be named by the Secretary of the Navy ; an officer of the Coast Survey, named by the Superintendent ; and three civil engineers to be appointed by the president. " They are to make a close personal examination and report to the Secretary of War, whereupon he is to let the contract." This last " commission " was the result of one of the strongest contests ever made over a provision for appropriation in congress. Senators White and Perkins, Berry and Vest spoke on the one side, while Senator Frye made the speech for the Santa Monica harbor.
In October the new board was announced: Rear Admiral John G. Walker, from the Navy: Augustus F. Rodgers, of the coast survey: Wm. H. Burr. George S. Morrison and Richard P. Morgan, appointed by President Cleveland. In December the members of this board arrived and after looking over the ground, conducted a most exhaustive examination at the Chamber of Commerce rooms in Los Angeles. This was felt to be the last chance and both sides gathered all their evidence and put forth all their efforts. Santa Monica harbor was ably represented by Wm. H. Hood, E. L. Corthell, A. M. Jamison, J. S. Slauson, Cornelius Cole, John Cross, Captains Jackson, Pillsbury and Salmond. The San Pedro case was under the management of Robert Moore and H. Haw- good. The hearing lasted for seven days. The report was filed March Ist, 1897 and was a large volume, containing many maps, charts, and much matter not belonging strictly to the question in hand.
The decision was in favor of San Pedro, largely because of the work already done there and the inadvisability of the government maintaining two separate harbors. They said: "It is the judgment of this Board that the best public policy, both in the interest of economy and for the attainment of a deep-water harbor for commerce and refuge demands the concentration of expenditure at one point, with the corresponding cumulative excellence of results, rather than a dispersion and weakening of results by a divided expenditure at the two loca- tions. This conclusion gains considerable force through the fact that the selec- tion of the San Pedro site will, for the reasons stated, undoubtedly involve materially less ultimate total expenditure than is certain to be incurred by the inevitable construction and maintenance of the two harbors, if Port Los Angeles were to be selected. The preponderance of physical advantages, therefore, which leads to the selection of the San Pedro site, is in line with the best re-
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quirements of the best public policy as to the matter entrusted to the decision of this Board." This report was signed by four members of the Board. Mr. Morgan submitted a minority report in favor of Port Los Angeles.
This decision was regarded as final and Santa Monica citizens accepted it as such. However, it was not until April 6th, 1899, that the contract was awarded and the actual work on the harbor began. The event was celebrated by a " Jubilee " which had lost somewhat of spontaneity by its long delay. Since that time work has gone on at San Pedro, but the deep-water harbor is yet in the future.
14
GEO. D. SNYDER FIRST WARD
H.W. ARMSTRONG SKOÔNG WARE
ROSCOE H. DOW SEVENTH WARD
ALF-MORRIS FOURTH. WARIO PRESIDENT
ABE S. REEL THIRD WARD
J. EUCLID MILES SIKTH WARD
H. L. COFFMAN FIFTH WARD
FIRST COMMON COUNCIL, OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA UNDER THE FREE- HOLDERS' CHARTER. 1906.
CHAPTER V.
EXPANSION. 1900-1908.
T HE year 1900 was an epoch-making one for Santa Monica since it brought with it many events which were far-reaching in their influence and which were important factors in the era of unprecedented prosperity and growth which has marked the first years of the new century.
A radical change in the history of the town was brought about by the passage of the ordinance which made it a " no-saloon " town. Santa Monica had always been a "wide-open " town and while its citizens were just as respectable and law-abiding as those of any other beach town, the place had undoubtedly always been the favorite resort of the sporting element of Los Angeles. The proximity of the Soldier's Home had also made it the scene of the "old boy's " license, when pension money was plenty. Every effort was made to suppress the dis- orderly element and as good order was maintained here, as a rule, as elsewhere; yet the town had long borne the reputation of being a "tough " place.
With the opening of 1900 a determined effort was made to secure a better order of things. One of the leaders in this attempt, was the late Federick H. Rindge, a man of great wealth, sincere religious zeal and large philanthropy. He devoted his time, energy and money to this fight for the good standing of Santa Monica, which was then his home city. The campaign opened with an all day Sunday service devoted to temperance and local option. As a result of the meetings of this day a committee of citizens, consisting of J. F. Kiggens, E. J. Vawter, J. H. Clark, D. J. Twichell, J. S. Knesel, M. H. Kimball, W. I. Hull, Dr. N. H. Hamilton, C. I. D. Moore, J. O. Jennings, Dr. C. T. Wilson, T. H. James, H. P. Wilber, D. G. Holt, Dr. Glen McWilliams and J. F. Dunham, with F. H. Rindge, as chairman, was appointed to confer with the Board of Trustees and secure the passage of an ordinance submitting the question of saloons or 110 saloons to the people at the coming election. As a consequence of the action of these gentlemen, the requisite ordinance was passed.
A vigorous, well organized, educational anti-saloon crusade followed. A series of public meetings was held on both the North and the South sides at which such speakers as Bishop Montgomery, Dr. Chapman, Dr. Hugh Walker, J. S. Slauson, F. H. Rindge, the pastors of the city churches, particularly Dr. Glen McWilliams of the Christian church and Dr. Wilson of the Methodist church ; and such business men as Roy Jones, W. S. and E. J. Vawter, D. G.
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Holt, and others took part. The churches of all sects; the anti-saloon forces of the county ; the Womens Christian Temperance Union, the Good Templars, and a large number of the property owners and business men of the town, worked together heartily to secure the passage of the "no-saloon " ordinance. The Santa Monica Outlook took a vigorous share in the effort and many who looked at the proposition simply from a business standpoint ranged themselves on the anti-saloon side.
Naturally the saloon element, and a good many citizens who honestly be- lieved that the closing of the saloons would result in a financial loss to the town, put up a strong fight. Money was spent freely on both sides and the feeling was very strong; F. H. Rindge, in a public meeting promised to indemnify the town for the loss sustained by refusing licenses to saloons, and after the elec- tion, April 9th, which resulted in a vote of 305 to 218, a majority of 87 votes for "no license," he presented his check for $2,500 to the Board of Trustees. The trustees chosen at the election, J. C. Morgan, C. H. Sammis and T. H. Dudley had pledged themselves prior to election to carry out the expressed wishes of the citizens. It had been agreed that three restaurant licenses, per- miting the sale of liquors with bona fide meals, costing 25 cents, exclusive of liquors ; and one wholesale liquor license, under certain restrictions, should be granted. The ordinance passed by the new board was not exactly what the anti-saloon people had expected, as it permitted the sale of liquors at all hours and allowed the wholesale house to sell in original packages at its place of busi- ness, instead of simply delivering orders.
It was to be expected that there would be violations of the regulations under this ordinance, which was certainly a great step in advance, although not all that had been hoped for by the movers in the " no license " fight. On August 6th, E. Gamberi, of the Pacific Gardens was arrested for selling liquors without meals and was convicted and fined $175.00. while his license was revoked. Rudolph Hopf was also arrested for violation of the ordinance, but prior to his trial he became insolvent and was acquitted. This marked the downfall of the old firm of Eckert and Hopf, which had been in business in Santa Monica since the seventies.
In 1901 the Board of Trustees modified the restaurant license so that it merely required " something to eat," with the liquor. This, of course, led to the service of the timeworn cracker and, it is claimed, that the cracker box alone was considered sufficient in many cases. In 1902 the wholesale license was raised to $1,200 and in 1903 the wholesale license was raised to $3,000, this amount having been offered by Alexander Gunn.
In the spring of 1903 the temperance people were so aroused by the changes made, which practically restored saloons to the town, that they made a strong campaign before the annual election to secure candidates for trustees who would support the law and take steps to carry out the provisions of the original ordin-
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ance-which had been adopted to carry out the wish of the voters. Dr. Chap- man again took a vigorous, and as many thought, a not very wise, part in the campaign, working for the election of men who had pledged themselves to vote against issuing new licenses and removals of restrictions. After the city election, another special election to again submit the question of prohibition, by adopting what was known as the Long Beach ordinance, was called for. A brief cam- paign was made by Dr. Chapman and the question was submitted on June 10th, resulting in a vote of 831 ; 287 for, 544 against. This result, so different from the previous one when this question was voted upon, was brought about by many causes ; chiefly the dissension of the temperance forces and the bitterness and, in the eyes of many, the unfairness of the methods adopted by the prohibition workers. As a consequence of this result, the Board of Trustees passed an ordinance, granting restaurant licenses, with no restriction as to meals; buffet licenses, which were practically saloon licenses; and the wholesale license. While there are no open saloons in Santa Monica, and the business is much restricted as compared with the old days when there were twelve or fourteen saloons running "wide open," there is ample opportunity for those who wish it to procure liquor and the town derives a considerable income from its various liquor licenses.
Another important question which came up for discussion and action this year was that of the separation of the portion of the town lying south of Rail- road street from the " North side," or, as the Outlook puts it, the " legal separa- tion of Miss South Side from Mr. North Side, on the ground of failure to pro- vide." The citizens of the southern end of town felt that they had not received due consideration from the town trustees and that they had no representative on the board. There had long been a rivalry in growth, street improvements and attractions. A committee consisting of Col. A. B. Hotchkiss, a long-time resi- dent of the South Side, Joseph Bontty and Captain Malim, were active in urging this action, stating that the new town would remain a town, governed by the Board of Supervisors, and would save the expenses of a city government while improving her own streets and providing her own water, and light supply. The active discussion of plans for building a city hall had a bearing on the question. no doubt, and many other matters were connected with it. A petition with suffi- cient signatures was presented and the question was submitted to a vote of the people at the election of November 13th. A vigorous campaign was made against the division by the North Side and many citizens of the South Side also, and the election showed a very decided majority, the vote being 400 to 59, against the legal partition of the town.
One of the movers in this attempt at disruption, Captain George D. Malim, frankly announced in the Outlook, after stating that others who had promised aid had deserted the cause, "I have been at a loss of both time and money, fought alone and single-handed against nearly the whole town and got licked,
GRO. H. HUTTON.
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but have one great satisfaction, that is, that I believe I have stirred people up to argue questions, consider propositions, and stand up for their rights, which they would not have done had it not been for the work done by myself." It was generally agreed that the discussion of the question had brought about a better feeling between the two factions and would result in a clearer understanding of the common interests of the whole city.
Another topic which engaged a good deal of attention and gave rise to a great variety of opinions, was that of providing a suitable city hall. It was generally believed, also, that the town could not prosper without having some sort of public auditorium for large meetings. It was proposed to combine a city hall and auditorium building. This met with opposition and an effort was made to secure an auditorium as a private business venture. Bonds for the city hall were proposed; but at last it became evident that the city affairs could be handled more effectively under a new form of government and the subject of adopting a city charter and becoming a city of the fifth class was taken up. Public meetings to discuss the advisability of this step and the results following it were held and a committee consisting of Frederick H. Rindge, George H. Hutton, A. W. McPherson, W. S. Vawter and Fred H. Taft was appointed to formulate plans for re-organization. It was agreed that the town should be divided into five wards, as equally proportioned as to voters as possible, cach to extend from the ocean back to the east line of the town and the committee also stood pledged to a general city convention to nominate officers, irrespective of party lines. But when the matter came to the test of the polls, January 16th, 1901, it was found that the interest was small compared with its importance, 353 votes being cast, of which 171 were for and 178 against, the re-organization plan being lost by seven votes.
Among the improvements of the year was the putting on of the mail car on the electric line which made three trips a day, taking in Colegrove, Sherman, Sawtelle and Soldiers' Home, Santa Monica and Ocean Park and which also carried express matter. The Hollywood line was opened for service in February thus giving Santa Monica three routes to Los Angeles and still further increas- ing her transportation facilities. The Southern Pacific and Santa Fe roads, in a desperate attempt to recover their traffic, issued a ten trip ticket for $1.50. good for one month. But the electric line met this with a ten ride ticket, good until used, and transferable, for $2.00. The railroads gained little but the people who traveled between the city and the beach were decided gainers. The United Electric, Gas and Power Company was incorporated this year and took over the Santa Monica Electric Light and Power plant, the directors being the same, F. H. Rindge, Alfred Steadman, H. V. Carter, G. I. Cochran and J. J. Davis. This company also secured control of the light and gas company of Redondo, Long Beach, San Pedro, and other towns.
" Sunset " beach, lying north of the North Beach Bath House, was improved
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