The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1892-12-09
RIVERS AND HAkBoEs.
Special Reports of the Secretary of War
Upon the Pacific Northwest Coast.


Special Reports of the Secretary of War
Upon the Pacific Northwest Coast.
A dispatch from Washington states
that Secretary Elkins has sent to con-
gress estimates on several Pacific Coast
surveys. among them for the removal of
the existing obstructions in Coos river,
Col Mendell also suggested that the
snags, logs and boulders in Coos river be
removed. No additional survey is neces-
sary, because the conditions of the river
are constantly changing. Capt. Symons
reported in favor of improving the up
per Colum bia river at two places, one
from the dalles (far up the river) to the
international boundary, fifteen miles,
and the other from the head of Rock Is
land rapids to Foster creek, just above
the mouth of the Okanogan, ninety
miles. To make Il survey and prepare
improvements $4,000 will be necessary.
The department concurs in the recon-
mendation. Major Handbury thinks
the Willamette above Oregon City
| should be made safely navigable at all
seasons on account of the great COM
merce carried by that stream. The
river trade would increase, and at the
same time freight rates would go down.
For surveys and preparatory work $l2.-
600 will be necessary
We are glad to see that the Willamette
is to be provided for, at last. Com
merce on that river has been about as
shamefully neglected above Portland, as
mouth of the Willamette. If the press
| of Oregon does its duty, however; the
days of such neglect will be very soon
mum mbered. Upon the topic suggested by
\ the reports referred to, the Telegram last
\evening says:
''The reports show the increased at
Itention that the navigable waters of the
Pacific Northwest are receiving and their
growing Importance to commerce.
When a comprehensive review of the
! Oregon and Washington waterways is
made, the description of present and
future needs cannot be very brief.
There are no two other states of the
union that have more navigable harbors
than these lusty commonwealth of the
Pacific Northwest.
"But there are many people who live
here who do not appreciate it. Not one
Imam in ten in Portland, if suddenly
Ilasked to name the harbors that indent
ilOregon's coast, could tell them or theil
IIgeneral location. Yet waterways are Of
the utmost Importance to the develop.
ment of section. Take two states with
Vail things equal, except that one has
4 harbors and the other has not. The one
Twill so far forge ahead of the other ir
population and wealth that they would
not be classed together.
"Many people think Oregon is grow
ing rapidly now, and that her CONNER
cial influence is steadily increasing
That is granted. But give deep waite
entrance to all her harbors, let there b,
well-built jetties at the mouth of othe
drivers, as we'll as the Columbia, let al
; Sother navigable streams be cleared O
J ksnags and dredged of sand bars, and tn
: tadvance will not only be rapid but al
: kmost phenomenal in the development G
3 kcities and country, the influx of capital
,and the increase of all kinds of business
/ EOregon has been treated fairly we'll a
2 appropriations go, but she can take car
' Eof and spend well all the money tha
4 Econgress gives her for river and harbo
4 'Him provement."
Ell The Telegram might with prophet
r. Il N
r eity of Portland could tell how man
passengers were carried by steamboat