The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-07-15
an INLAND METROPOLIS.

Astoria is no doubt situated on the
most available harbor-except Puget
Sound-north of San Francisco, and
from its location one would infer that
it is destined to be a large shipping
point; but Portland has the centraliza-
tion of capital and the control of the
shipping lines, and will undoubtedly
maintain its present prestige. Astoria
has no railroad communication with
the interior, and this has undoubtedly
been great dra W back; but this should
be supplied by local capital. 1t can
not be expected that the Union Pa
cifc would extend its road to seaboard
at heavy expense, when it receives its
share Of the trade of Oregon by max
ing its terminus at the metropolis.
The country between the mouth of the
Willamette and the mouth of the Co.
lumbia is but sparsely settled, and
consequently there is little inducement
for any railroad to build its line in
that direction.
The Portland World, in comment
ing on the plant of Astoria papers on
the situation of affairs, cites several
examples in which the principal cities
are situated inland from the mouths of
navigable rivers, says:
ave have not touched upon the To-
cation of Portland, save by inference
but this is true: If Portland ever has
a rival on the waters of the Colum bia
that rival will be at least as far up the
the river as The Dalles, for the science
of city building will not be changed to
make metropolis of Astoria, or on
the lower Columbia"
There is possibility of this city be-
coming a rival to Portland in the
eventful future, when, together with
an open river to the sea, there are sew
eral railroad lines from this point, ex-
tending in every direction to the in
terror. This is an era to be hoped for,
and which may be realized. The
product of the great wheat belt of the
ILland Empire will most certainly be
shipped to the nearest market, and
whea fleets Of whalebacks enter the
Columbia river and load at the
wharves of The Dalles, then this city
will become great inland metropolis.
The possibilities for this point are al
most unlimited; but location, resources
and an open river alone will not impel
metropolitan growth. There must be
inducements for capital to invest, and
there must be generous welcome ex-
tended to all factors of development.
Men Of wealth will not spend their
money where apparently they are not
wanted, and where those who have
reaped rich harvests in the past are
only concerned in the best way of re-,
tanning their present possessions. We
do not wish to be understood to imply
that our business men do not possess
all the necessary elements of enter
prise and foresight to make the head
OF navigation what the laws of com
mercial supremacy destined it should
become. Of course, our business men
have exercised enterprise and energy
In making The Dalles what it is at
present; and they must not become
discouraged, but keep bravely on,
As they have heretofore, In utilizing
al our natural resources-ln complet-
ng the railroads to the interior al
.eady begun, and in bringing under
control the unlimited water power of
he majestic Columbia. They have &C
wonders in the past, and
With the same tireless energy and hb-
,ral expenditures in the future, the
lream of commercial greatness will be-
'ome reality.