The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-01-26
STATE OFFICIALS.
At THE LOCKS YESTERDAY.

The.freight train leaving here at 8: II
Sunday morning had coach attached
which was well filled by the leading
w1de-awake business men of this city
who went to the Cascade Locks to NEE
the committee from the legislature which
examined the work that day. Arriving
at the Locks about 10: 80, the party
separated, seeking shelter from the rain
which, though light, was driven by the
wind, and was regular "searcher.' ,
The legislative committee arrived about
80, Major Handbury by invitation
accompanying it. Mr.. Hamilton, being
on crutches was unable to accompany
the others in the examination of the work.
The balance of the committee accom-
panied Major Handbury to the engin-
eer's Office where the plans were shown
an explained. The committee gave the
matter careful attention and took a
deep interest in their examination.
After expla ming the map thoroughly,
the Major called for The Dalles CHRoN-
IciE man, sayiog that he had read criti-
cisms OF the work in that paper (Which
by the way, SHOWS that the Major is a
man of good judgment and knows a
good thing when he sees IT'D and invited
him TO ask any questions he pleased. -
Our reporter went st,?'9bt o the heart
OF the matter and asked: ''Maior, with
sufficient 1neans made availa BILE for COM
ple''ng the work, and the most favor
able weather, how long will it take 10
complete the locks so that boats can
pass throush?" The answer was,
''Tbree years." The next question was ::
"W' appropiia, ons made in the usual
manner and with average seasons, bow
lohg VII il take?" Answer, Gan indei-
nlie lime." The reporter then said,
"Majo'', there is much complaint about
the p esent work, that but three men
are employed in llling stone, and
that no proper effort is being name
to hss,en the work and use the appro-
pric lion, what are the facts in the case?
The Major ihen proceeded to explain
That 100 men were employed, that four
were laying stone, aud that these would
lay as much as thirty could cut. That
the money was being spent at the rate
OF from thirty to forty thousand dollars
a month, and that the work was in such
a condition that larger force of men
could not be employed economically.
That 81 500 900 more would be required
to complete the work, that the work
already done was substantial and would
not have to be removed or repaired, that
the incline commonly reported to have
cost $5O,OOO actually cost $4,000, and that
the present appropriation would be ex-
hausted by November. After this the
entire party proceeded to the canal, 90
ing down the famous incline and exam
ming the work. There can be no doubt
but that the work is being done in SUBJ
stsnual manner, as the huge blocks of
granite and basalt show. Everything
seems to be conveniently arranged for
speedy and economical work and the oDIv
fault that could be found was with the
insufficient number of men
employed, as it is certainly possible to
lind work both for more stone cutters
and masons. As the appropriation will
be exhausted by November, however.
this makes no material difference. The
left for Portland about ,
O'Clock pleased with their trip, and we
believe fully convinced of the pressing
needs OF Eastern Oregon, and the neces-
sity of this portage railroad. The DslIes
delegation started. home shortly after, ar
irving here about O'Clock. Messrs.
Mays and several others
vent on to Portland with the commit
zee.