Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1892-02-25
THE DALLEs PORTAGE ROAD.
Governor Pennoyer Writes y Letter 4
Chairman blanchard.

Governor Pennoyer Writes = Letter 70
Chairman Blanchard.
SALEM, Feb. lO.-Governor Pennoyer
today forwarded the following letter to
Chairman Blanchard, OF the river and |
harbor committee OF the house.
SALEM, Or, Feb. 8, 1892
Hon. n. G. Blanchard, Chairman
River and Harbor COMMITTEES, 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 Columbia river, be-
tween Cello and The Dalles (page 4, ex
doc. No. IS, fifty-tirst congress, first ses-
eion):
in its report first report) the board
expressed the opinion that = single
track portage railroad, estimated to cost
$43l 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 diff.
culties. 1t is applicable to all stages OF
the river and with single terminal lines
would be adequate for present require
ments, and with double terminal lines
which can be constructed at small cost,
its capacity could he largely increased
should commerce 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, des-
cribed in the report, this objection loses
part Of its force.''
The finding Of the board, as to the
change in. the character Of the river
| navigation ut this point, is correct.
Boats that are adapted to ply the lower
river are not adapted 10 ply the upper
river. Balk will have to be broken at or
near this point, and such being the case,
. portage road, costing $43l 800. would
be fully more advantageous than boat
railway costing $2,SG0,0O0, 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 chief of
engineers, who, in his report of January,
1889, favored a portage road, now OPP
poses it, and that our senators, notwith-
standing the wish Of the people Of Oregon
as expressed in house concurrent resoiu'
ton No. "a of the Oregon legislature
passed at it's last session, also opposed it
Your committee, however, eau readily
Judge as to the amount OF Difference thai
should be paid to the government en-
gineer who can change his opinion in q
twelvemonth, and to senators who di
rectly disregard the wish of the peopl,
they are supposed to represent. Tht
argument that congress has never built ,
railroad, which is urged agsinet an ap
preparation for portage road, wouIt
apply with equal force against boa
railway. Private corporations have n,
exclusive privilege Of building railroads
There is no restriction which woult
prevent the Federal government from
building portage road, if such roa'
was practicable and had the recon
mendation of it's engineers, as in I'll
case in regard to the proposed road q
, the dalles Of the Columbia. The state {
Oregon has already provided for the ez
penditure of $780, 900 for overcoming tn
obstruction in the Columbia at the Cat
cades, and $500, 900 for overcoming sue
' distractions between Portland and tn
I sea, both of which appropriations shout
I have been made by the Federal govern
y ment The people of Oregon deem it
= great injustice to be taxed by gener,
government for such purposes, and the
& be compelled to tax themselves to d
g that which such government ought, b,
4 fails to do. Ii your committee shall re-
: ommend the appropriation for a portal
K road at the dalles of the Columbia, it wi
= subserve a great public necessity ar
q merit the gratitude Of the whole Poop
:. Of Oregon. Very respectfully.
: SYLVESTER PENNEY Err.