The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1892-02-10


harbor committee of the house.
SALEM, Or, Feb. 8, 1892.
Hon. n. C, Blanchard, Chairman
River and Harbor Committee, Washing
ton, D. C.-Dear Sir: Your attention
and the attention of the committee is
respectfully called to- the following ex-
tract from the final report of the board of
engineers appointed to examine the OBJ
structions in the Colum bla river, between
Cello and The Dalies (paged 4, ex. doc.
No. SO. fifty first congress, first session.:
I'm its report first report) the board
expressed the opinion that single-track,
portage railroad, estimated to cost S431,
500, and which could be constructed in
one year, If the funds were provided in
time, would be the quickest and cheapest
solution of the existing difficulties. It is
applicable to all stages of the river and
with single terminal lines would be ade-
quate for present requirements, and with
double terminal lines, which can be
CONSTRUCTED at small cost, its capacity
could be largely increased should COM
merce demand additional facilities.
The objection to this method is the
necessity of transshipment, but, in view
of the change in the character of the
river navigation at this locality, de-
scribed in the report, this objection loses
part of its force"
The finding of the board, as to the
change in the character of river naviga-
ton at this point, is correct. Boats that
are adapted to ply the lower river are not
adapted to ply the upper river. Bulk will
and, such being the case, a portage road,
costing $431 800, would be fully more adj
| vantageous than boat railway costing
| 50 $3.50 900, while the operating expenses
of the latter would be from ten to twenty
times greater than those of the former.
/ am aware of the fact that the chef
| of engineers, who, in his report OF Janu-
ary, 1889, favored a portage road, now
| opposes it, and that our senators, not
withstand the wish of the people of
Oregon as expressed in the house concur
rent resolution No. "a of the Oregon
| legislature passed at its last session, also
oppose it. Your committee, however,
can readily judge as to the amount OF
difference that should be paid to gov
eminent engineer who can change his
opinion in twelve month, and to sena-
tors who directly disregard the wish OF
the people they are supposed to repre-
sent. The argument that congress has
never built railroad, which is urged
againt an appropriation for portage
road, would apply with equal force
against boat railway. Private corpor-
ations have no exclusive privilege OF
building railroads. There is no restric.
ton which would prevent the Federal
government from building portage
! road, if such a road was practicable anG
4 had the recommendation of its engi.
neers, as in the case in regard to the
i, proposed road at the dalles on the
Columbia. The state of Oregon hal
already provided for the expenditure oi
$6O, 900 for overcoming the obstruction
in the Columbia at the cascades, ane
$500, 600 for overcoming such obstruction
between Portland and the sea, both o
which appropriations should have beer
made by the Federal government. Tn,
people of Oregon deem it a great injus
tice to be taxed by the general govern
: ment for such purposes, and then b.
compelled to tax themselves to do tina
which such government ought, but fail
to do. If your committee shall recon
mend the appropriation for portag
road at the dalles of the Columbia, i
will subserves great public necessit,
and me it the gratitude of the Who'll
people of Oregon. Very respectfully,
SYLVESTER PENNoYER.
senator stanford Not Candidate.
WASHINGTON, Feb. e.-senator Stan