The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1894-12-21
THE RIVER IMPROVEMENTS,
Major Post says Work on Ex-
tension of old Revetment
Will Begin Soon.


pressian that the $1,000 secured by Con-
gressman Hermann for improvement Of the
Willamette at this point, was being eX.
hausted in making the survey from Eugene
to Portland, the GAZETTE took the pains to
write to Mr.. Hermann concerning the mat
ter. From his reply, which is given be-
low, there appears to he no cause for alarm;
the entire amount is to be expended exactly
as was intended. The letter is as follows:
"You request information Gs to the ap-
preparation for the improvement of the
Willamette river, aud yeu mention that
many persons maintain that the So, COO
which I secured in the house committee
for Corvallis, is to be diverted and usod
for the survey of the river. I have heard
this statement before. It is wholly q
mistake. You may rost assured that we
should not yield up one dollar of the sum
secured, and which is go much needed at
Corvallis. The entire IS, 600 will be ex-
pended precisely was intended. The
law reads now just as | prepared
the clause. and is as follows: Improv-
ing Willamette above Portland, Oregon;
continuing Improvement twenty three
thousand dollars; Of which eight thousand
dollars or 90 much thereof as'may be nec-
essary, shall be used at Corvallis.
''Ths authority for the survey of the
Willamette river, with view to a new pro-
ject for Improvement of the entire river on
large magnitude and In such substantial
and permanent character, not possible IN
der the present restricted project, is pro-
vidod for in different section, which is in
theaa words: That the secretary of war
is hersby directed, a5 his discretion, to
cause surveys to be made and the cost of
improvement to be estimated at the follow
ing localities, to-wit: y Oregon, Will
lsmstte river, from Portland to Eugene;
Alses river y y
"As to the expense of such survey, 1t 10
further providsdsin still. another section of
the law ass follows: For preliminary ex.
animation, surveys y contingencies, ex-
penses connected with inspection of hridges,
the examination Of bridge sites and
reports thereon, and for incidental repsirs,
for which there Is no spacial appropriation
for rivers and .karbors, one hundred aud
twenty five thousand dollars.
"Msjo Post, o. s. engineer officer, and
now stationed at Portland, has charge OF
this work at Corvallis, and can make any
further explanation as to when he has de.
termilfed to commence operations under the
law"
Upon receipt of the foregoing communi-
cation. request for further information
the subject WAS addressed TO Major Post, at
Portland, who replied as foI,ows:
Your letter Of the Sth ing5. in regard to
the lazy appropsiating funds for surveying
the Willamette River, and slso in regard
to the appropriation OF SIS. coo for the Will
lamette river at Corvallis. has been 1e-
ceived.
'"Ths survey has already been made from
Eugene to Corvallis, and will be continued
as long the stage of water will permit.
AS to the improvement s5 Corvallis, this
work will be begun at an carly date. 1t is
proposed to extend the present revetmens. I"
Engineer J. FL. Cunningham who was
detailed to make the Willamette survey
from Eugene to Portland, arrived here Sat-
urday, having completed the work this far,
"a distance of 81 miles. The party left
Eugene Oct 9Th, and as the weather has
been pleasant ustil recently, the work pro-
Creased rapidly. During the past two
weeks, however, quantity of rain fell,
which not only iuterfered With the prog
ress of the work, but also raised the river
to such an extent that it became impossi
ble to maintain that degree of accuracy with
regard to topograp ply, SO essential in such
an important survey, and on Monday last
the party returned to Portland. This ae-
tion was thought advisAhls, as only linn.
= tied appropriation ia at hand for the com
pletion OF the survey and the work under
present unfavorabie conditions is very ex-
pensive. In the sprng, the wster will be
g at much lower stage, besides the weather
will be pleasant aud the work can then be
pushed with greater spsed and with far
less expense than now.
AT present it looks very much as though
tho improvements to the river at this
! point would go over until next year. MIR.
cunningham had instructions to thoroughly
investigate the old revetment, as well rs
. the proposed cut of land and report on each.
He has looked over the former and as far
- as he is able to learn, it has been of no ben.
eft whatever. Owing to the stages Of the
water, it will be impossible to give full
s detailed report on the other plan. On this
a account it is possible that work will not
begin on the Corvallis improvements before
next summer. Mr.. Cunningham seems OF
the opinion that the proposed cut off plan is
the only one that will afford permanent re.
n lief, but to carrysit out successfully fat
n greater sum than SS, Geo will be necessary
1t Is really unfortunate that this survey
was SO long delayed. The improvements
g under contemplation ought to have been
4 completed ere this. Winter is now upon
y Us and with it comes apprehensions for
! further destruction of property and danger
to navigation. Every high water increases
o the danger and also increases the work
v necessary to be done to change the channel
- 1t does seem strange that SO important s
= matter as this has not been pushed with all
possible dispatch. Present indications are
g that work will not be resumed for sever
:. months and further agitation of the subject
. will not hasten the needsd improvements il
the least.
Letter List.