The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1894-07-21

Isersssss SsesssA ~ n. sss Osssse's
Waterway.

IseEaases 0oeUpsA by Hin fDs Oseeoose
WARRINGTON, July l3.-Senstor Dolph
made . hard fight for Oregon improve
meuts from the moment the river and
harbor bill was taken up in the Senate
Committee on Commerce. The en-
gineers made estimatss for the full
amounts to complete the improvements
now in progress on the lower willamette
and Columbia, and for the mouth Of the
Columbia. The poiicv Of the Demo
crats who are in control, and the admin
istrati0n, on account Of the condition of
the treasury, u TO scale down ell ap-
preparations. Senator Dolph'e main
Eight was for the full amount Of the e.
Inmates 1t these points In order that the
government might be saved . great dAal
Of expense. The amount estimated for
tbs mouth Of the Columbia was 1898, 13S,
Senator Dolph exhibited photographs of
the treetle upon which 10 the tramway
and where materials are transported to
complete the jetty.
He asserted that, having been in use
six years, it would be very likely not to
Last until after the money appropriated
in another river and harbor bill was
available. II it should break down, it
would necessitate the building OF another
At . great expense, and the cost of com.
pletion would be At least doubled or
trebled. He asked the committee in the
name OF economy to make the appropri-
alton recommended by the engineers.
After discussing the matter with the
committee Senator Dolph became con-
WINGED that, DO far a. the committee was
concerned, there was no possibility for
any other Improvements at the dalles
than . boat railway. There was no
sentiment in favor Of portage road; in
fact, there was decided opposition to
such . scheme. 1t then became the
purpose of Senator Dolph TO get some
kind of an appropriation for the dalles
in the committee and in the Senate, and
then, il the House conferrees ON the bill
offer any project that can be agreed
upon, it will be time enough to consider
the matter. Senator Dolph'e PROPOSE
ton for boat railway is as follows:
Improving the Columbia river. Ore
egon and Washington. at Three Mile
Rapids and the con.truction and equip
ment Of boat railway from the foot of
The Dslles Rapids 10 the head Of Cello
Falls, said boat railway to be provided
at each terminus with hydraulic lifts
and other necessary appliances for the
purpose Of raising and lowering the boats
on suitable care to and from it's tracks,
the whole to be located, constructed
and equipped for the passage OF eight
boats OF 600 tons each in each direction
in twelve hours, on the south side Of the
Columbia river, substantially in accord
ance with the location and plans sub
mitted by the hoard OF engineers APP
pointed by the President in pursuance
OF the provision Of the act of Congress
approved July Is. 1892, and entitled An
act making appropriations for the con-
struction. repair and preservation OF Ger
tain public works on rivers and harbors
and for other purposes with their re-
port, which lie contained in Senate exec
utive document No. z. Fifty-third Con-
gress. first session. $3.50 600: provided
that contracts may he entered into by
the Secretary of War for such materials
and work as may be necessary to COM
plete such Improvements. to be paid for
as appropriations may from time to time
be made by law, not to exceed in the az
gregate $2.064. 467. exclusive of the
amount herein appropriated and pro-
vided. further, that the Secretary OF War
may, and he lie hereby authorized, to ex-
pend SO much Of the amount hereby ap-
propriated as may be necessary in &C
quiring by purchase or condemnation the
right OF way for said boat railway and
the right to the use OF lands required for
terminal facilities for said boat railway
in the manner and according to the con-
ditions now prescribed by law"
There was some talk about q canal,
but it was found that it would take at
least . year to get proper eurveye and
estimates for . canal, while it would take
several more years to complete the work.
Senator Dolph thinks the boat railway
could be completed in two or three years
II 1t was properly pushed.