The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-02-06
THE PORTAGE RAILROAD.

The present congress will not b'
very liberal as regards appropriation
for internal improvements, and the
people should carefully consider theil
wants and ask for only such aid from
the general government as they may
reasonably expect to receive. In this
connection, it is not at all probable
that the Cascade locks will be men,
toned literally in the River and
Harbor bill, and at the same session,
an appropriation Of S43l, 900 granted
| for the portage railroad between this
city and Cello. The producers of the
Inland Empire should not ask for too
much, for fear the present congress
may view the matter with suspicion,
and ignore them completely.
Work has been continued at the
Cascades for number of years, a
considerable sum of money expended,
and the most careful economists in the
lower house can but realize the ne
cessity of the early completion of this
Improvement. Some of the leading
members of the senate and house have
examined the canal, and from lnfor-
nation derived from citizens of Ore
gon, Idaho and Washington have as
certained the fact that this is the only
available means of relief to producers
in the country east of the Cascades.
The portage railroad is new project,
and has never received the endorse
ment of any government board of en-
gineers. On the contrary, the senate
has passed large appropriation for
ship railway to overcome the obstruc-
tions at the dalles For these reasons,
if Democratic house were to be fa-
vorably inclined towards the portage
scheme, and were to pass bill for
that purpose, it would undoubtedly be
defeated in the senate. The report of
the board of engineers have been read
to the senate and the members have
endorsed the recommendation for a
ship railway. On this matter they
have placed themselves on record on
more than one occasion, and they can
not be expected to reconsider their
action.
AS a means Of temporary relief the
portage railroad may be considered
an advisable, measure; but the ship
railway is much to be preferred as a
permanent improvement. The flock
masters and grain-growers of the In
land Empire have for many years
looked forward to the time when a
ship, loaded with wheat in the fertile
region drained by the Columbia and
its tributaries, should pass to sea.
board without breaking cargo, and
this cannot be accomplished by port
age road. All admit, however, that
the latter would be saving In freight
rates in comparison with the exorbi-
tant prices now charged for transpor-
tation; but this would not reduce the
expenses to the same extent that
ship railway would. If the govern
ment undertakes internal improve
ments they should be made as lasting
as possible, and the project recon-
mended by the board Of engineers
would unquestionably be the most
permanent.
Taking conservative view of pub
lie works in Oregon, nearly every
one will be forced to the conclusion
that congress will favor the compile
tion of the canal and locks at the Cas-
caoes and ship railway at the daIles
But, judging from the time consumed
in constructing the LOCKS, it will be
quarter of century before the ship
railway above this city would be in
operation, and, in the meantime, the
s ate of Oregon could reduce transport
alton charges by constructing the port
age railroad. This has been the posi-
tion of the TIMES MoUNTAINEER on this
question for many years, and it
still adheres to what it published sew
eral months ago when it advocated
special session. The people have
right to expect from the general gov
ernment substantial aid for permanent
public improvement, and the state
should grant temporary relief wher-
ever it is deemed expedient and avail
able.