The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-10-29
AN IMPORTANT MATTER.
Improvement of Adjacent Streams.
Official Correspondence Regarding Same.

In immediate response to requests
that move be made in the matter,
secretary E. G. Holden, of the Asto-
ria chamber of commerce under in
structions from the chamber, sent the
following letter last Wednesday:
j." ASTORIA, OREGON, Oct. 23rd, 1889.
To NGjor Jones, Corps of Engineers,
U. S. A., Portland, Or.
DEAR SIR INSTRUCTED by the As
tofia chamber of commerce l respect
fully ask if it is within your province
TO appoint a person TO examine navi-
gable streams in this vicinity, tribu-
tary to the Columbia river, in order
TO make estimates on which to base
an application TO the government for
the removal of distractions to the
navigation Of said streams.
In explanation. 1 would state that
the numerous settlements on the
banks of Lewis and Clark and John
Days river, and of the sloughs lead
ing to KDappa, Westport and other
places in this county, and, also those
of Deep and Gray's river, Wash,
across the river from Astoria, have in
creased and are rapidly increasing in
proportion and commercial impor-
tance; small steamers with full loads
plying to and fro from this city,
some daily and others two and three
times a week. The settlers have pc
titioned this chamber to use its in
fluence to have snags and other OBJ
structions to navigation removed. In
petitioning our congress and repre-
sentations to, procure appropriations
to secure the. desired improvements
we are informed that it is necessary
we should furnish them with esti-
mates of the probable amount re-
quired. /
The question with the chamber is
as to who has the power to order the
examination necessary to intelligently
approximate the amount of the needed
appropriation.
Will you kindly inform us at your
earliest convenience.
Yours respectfully,
Z. G. HOLDEN,
Secretary.
To the above the following reply
has been received: v.-
UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,
PORTLAND, Or, October25, 1889. !
E. G. Holden, Esq. Secretary Cham
. Der Of Commerce.:
DEAR SIR:-Your note of the 23rd
inst. to Major Jones, corps of en-
giheers, q. S. A., making inquiries as
to the proper steps to be taken in or
der to secure appropriations from con,
gress for the improvement of certain
streams mentioned therein, has been
referred by that officer to me.
In reply to your inquiries l will
state that the usual mode of procedure
in such cases is for the congressman
of the district, in which the streams
are situated, to go before the river and
harbor committee of congress, when
that committee is making up its bill
and request that these streams be
placed upon the list for survey and
examination, and estimate of cost of
improvement. When the bill is passed,
if the streams are included in its pro-
visions, the engineer in charge of the
district in which they are located is
directed to make a preliminary exam,
ination, and if he finds them worthy
of improvement by the general gov.
ernment, he so reports with the facts
in the case. A survey and plan oi
Improvement is then made with an es-
innate Of cost. These are submitted
to congress for its approval and as a
basis on which to make appropria,
tions.
There is no power resting with the
secretary of war, or the chief of en-
ginsers, to order surveys or estimates
for Improvements to be made that
have not in some way been provided
for by act of congress. Neither is il
the policy of congress to take action
on estimates that have not been pre-
pared under its own direction.
Very respectfully, -.
f Yours truly, ..-
| THOS. III. HASDHURY.