The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-09-01
COLUMBIA RIVER COMMERCE.
Opinion of A Bright Correspondent.
Regarding The Inevitable Trend OF Trade.
ILwAco. w. T. Aug. 18th, 1899.

lLwACo, w. L. Aug. 18th, 1889.
After examining this portion of our
country, embracing the mouth of the
Columbia river and its surroundings,
and comparing the present with the
probabilities of the future in regard
to them we are reminded of a remark
made by Mr.. Seward in speaking of
the great convulsions then gong
on in eastern Asia-"that it is an er
ror to suppose that revolutions will
assist designs that are inaugurated to
retard human progress" Although
he was speaking of political revolu
tions, the idea may be applied to COM
mercial matters. For years it has
been the policy of Portland to make
that city the only shipping depot in
Oregon. And with master hand
she has maintained her policy and
built up rich and hourishing COM
mercial center, not withstanding there
was a possible location for city at
Astoria nearer the ocean by ITO miles
than Portland. This purpose to cen
ter in Portland the shipping interests
of the Columbia river caused the levy
to be made upon sea going vessels of
every character that engaged in this
trade, of river tax that has been re-
garded as a great burden and an in
jury to our commerce. Every effort
has been made that could be, to keep
the river open for the accommodation
of ships engaged in our important ex-
port trade, While for forty years
Portland has captured this business,
for several years past it has been evi-
dent that in time great revolution
would take place in the shipping busi-
ness of the Columbia river 1t was
impossible to ignore longer the nat
ural and less expensive claims of As
toria to that which has enriched Port
land despite the protest and punish
ment of those who could not help them
selves, but who had to support this
Portland scheme. While we would
not detract for a moment, from the
good name and fame of Portland
which she will no doubt maintain
whether she retains the shipping or
not, we must admit that there is a
revolution going on very important
to Portland and to Oregon. 1t is the
natural result of the workings of rival
seaports. Seattle and Tacoma have
laid claims to the Columbia river
trade and have succeeded to a great
extent.
1t is matter of significant concern
TO Portland when wheat to-day is
worth S1.25 more per ton at Tacoma
than it is In Portland. And this state
of things must be met in the interest
of Oregon and corrected. There is
one way to meet it and that is to have
the shipping Of cereals made at the
mouth of the Columbia river. This
will be done. The jetty now being
built has caused change in the chan
nels of the river and has already
deepened that leading to the sea a
few feet. Four thousand feet of jetty
have been built since the first of April
and the work is progressing very rap
idly. The rock that is used for fill
ing is quarried above Vancouver on
the Columbia river. This work is
carried on by the U. s. government
and will be prosecuted to complete
success. These stones run from
500 pounds, the lowest weight used,
to six tons in weight aud are
handled by abundant power. So far
as the Columbia bar is concerned it
will soon become of sufficient depth
to admit any class of ships that may
engage in the trade of the Pacific
ocean. In this respect then Puget
sound will have no claims over the
Columbia river bar. This will not
only secure the building OF the A. L
S. G. railroad, but will force, as a
rival of that railroad, the extension of
the .. X. x n, or some new road
down the river to Astoria. On the
Columbia there is a railroad sixty
miles east of Astoria, which crosses
the river at Hunters Point. This is
the Northern Pacific. Soon there will
be railroad down the river to Astoria.
1t is needed now. Portland will yield
to the great demand and it will be
built. From all these changes a rev.
olutiOn will be made in the shipping
interests and channels of the Colum-
bia river, as well as in its commercial
depots. Everything on the river
from Portland to the sea, points to
this change. On the north side at
Bakers bay the channel is shoaling,
supposed to be the effect of the jetty,
in cutting a more central channel.
Never was greater interest taken in
these matters by residents and gov
ernment, than at the present time.
The old DlaOs are DassinO away and
every interest is centered in the new.
Correspondence albany. Democrat.
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