The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-02-12

NoIeu Guy III Ine country. 1here are no
prevailing local diseases with US, nor has
there ever been any disease of an epi-
demlcal character known here. Another
favorable point III this direction is the
almost entire absence of malaria.
16. What is the character of the soil
fer building foundations in your yicin-
ity?
The soil for building foundations is of
clay and is of firm and substantial
character.
II. Will you give the commission a
list of the manufacturing establish
ments OF the city, their value, and the
number of men employed?
The manufacturing establishments of
this place and vicinity are numerous, con-
sisting of twenty-four salmon canning
establishments, employing a capital of
one million, two hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars and three thousand men:
producing an average annual output of
two million dollars.
Five lumber mills, capital $780, 200, and
furnishing employment to 400 men.
Three machine shops, capital $3.50, 900.
employing 150 men; six blacksmith shops,
two sash and door factories, one foun-
dry, one cooper's shop, six boat builders,
one wagon shop, and other minor estab-
lishments with capital of over S100,000,
and employing over 500 men.
IL. What are the means of communi-
eating with the east, the Mississippi val
ley, San Francisco and Portland?
With our open river and facilities for
moving large quantities of freight, we
have the same communication by rail
road with the east and the Mississippi
valley, as afforded the most favored To-
calties on our coast. The entrance to
the Columbia river is always open, and
has at present mean low depth of a
feet on the bar, mean rise of tide six
feet.
The present project of deepening the
channel at the mouth of the river has al
ready exerted q satisfactory influence to-
wards affording a splendid channel and
doubtless will eventually furnish all the
water necessary for the deepest draught
vessels. Steamers leave our port semi
weekly for San Francisco, reaching there
regularly in As hours. We also have
communication with San Francisco by
rail by way of Portland over the South
ern Pacific railroad.
10. What is projected in the immedi-
ate future, in the nature of manufactur-
ing establishments, railways, etc.2
There are number of manufacturing
establishments projected for the near fu-
ture, such as more lumber yards, ship
building and other enterprises. The first
section of twenty miles of the Astoria
and South Coast railway has been sur
veyed and contracts let for clearing and
grading. This road will tap the coal
fields of the Nehalem valley 80 miles dis
tant. These fields have not as yet been
developed, but this is what is said of the
onol hxyH n HoT1ly5 ctofa rraO1nnICf
of California: 81 find the coal to be re-
markably good. 1t has black streak of
powder in which it differs from the COM
mon llgnites of the Pacific coast. II
cokes finely and has but small ash. The
thirteen per cent. of water is an objec-
ton, but it may be less as you go down
on the vein. l send you samples of the
coke and ash by the captain of the steam
er. There are peculiarities about this
coal that leads me to hope that it is true
or carboniferous coal, and would ad-
wise you to look for fossils and if you
find any to send them down to me for
examination. If the coal you have sent
me is in large quantities, it cannot fail
to be of great commercial and economic
value. The following is the analysis of
the sample of Nehalem coal you sent
me:'
Fixed carbon. Observation-Disclosures. 48.70
Volatile combustible matter. $500
water. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. I3OU
Ash. $50
10000
The road will open up one of the most
magnificent timber regions on the coast.
the lowest estimates made by experts as
to the amount of timber therein con-
tanned is six billions of feet. This i'm
mense body all lies on logging streams
tributary to the Nehalem river, and will
be reached by the Astoria and South
Coast railroad. Owing to the lack of
transportation facilities up to this time,
this grand belt of timber is absolutely IN
touched. Passing through these coal
and timber lands, the A. & S. G. railway
will reach the extensive wheat producing
regions of the Willamette valley and
eastern Oregon, thence connecting with
the Oregon Short Line and affording a
direct eastern outlet.
%. What are the present market rates
for articles used in the construction OF
buildings, and in iron and steel ship
building?
Current market rates for material eli.
tering into buildings:
Lumber, $3.50 to 800 per thousand.
Lime S1.50 per barrel.
Cement, $3.50 per barrel.
Brick, $S to $40 per NJ.
Stone, nominal.
There is no market at present for iron
or steel for ship building purposes, but
as our means of communication with the
markets that furnish these materials are
on q par with the balance of the cities oi
this coast, We can place these arti.
cles here at about the same cost as they
can be had elsewhere.
APPENDIX.
The subjoined is in answer to addi
tional questions in relation to Especial
requirements for a naval station"
l. A situation upon a good harbor oi
sufficient size, depth and accessibility
for vessels of the largest size and heavi.
est draught?
We cordially invite the commission tC
visit our harbor and adjoining waters, to
form their own opinions as to their size,
depth and accessibility for vessels of the
largest size and heaviest draught.
2. A favorable position with respect to
the principal lines of defense?
g.. A local security from water attack
due to position and natural surround
ings?
I. Ample water frontage of sufficient
depth and permanence and with currents
of moderate rapidityP
8. A favorable position with respect
to the lines of interior communication
(by rail or otherwise) with the principal
sources of supplies?
6. That the character of the ground