The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-02-12
THE RANGE LIGHTS,

II is no answer TO the suggestion that
the Chamber OF Commerce take up the
range light question to say the Chamber
tried to obtain an appropriation for that
purpose two years ago and failed. II the
failure after not one. but great many
trials TO accomplish some specific object
Is TO be a controlling precedent in what
the Chamber OF Commerce may or shall
undertake to do. then the chamber might
as well dlsband; in fact. 1t ought to have
disbanded long ago
Without depreciatlng the efforts OF this
highly useful and important organization,
and with no intention OF debating
In any manner as TO what are or are not
proper subjects for its consideration. the
Astorian yet may say that the attention
OF the Chamber Of Commerce has already
been devoted this winter to a number OF
projects not near so feasible or so neces-
sary and far less closely allied with the
present TO say nothing OF the future in
terests OF the city. Who can say how
many lives might have been saved, or
how many thousands OF dollars OF prop
erty preserved by having this very sim
pie and inexpensive expedient to facilitate
an entrance into the river at all hours
in seasonable weather? Who can say to
the contrary. that poor Pilot Grassman,
with the whole Of the crew Of the i'll
fated bark CadZow Forest. might be alive
and in happy association with his fellows
today. II the Chamber of Commerce had
properly followed up its efforts OF two
years ago for the establishment OF range
lights in the river
There are many reasons why the Cham
ber OF Commerce will not be confronted
with the same difficulties in getting the
matter through this congress as it expe-
have new senator in Washington whose
hands may not be so full Of other and
older matters as both of our former sena-
torial representatives heretofore Senator
Mcbride is probably in a position to push
such an enterprise to an immediate sue
cessful termination, If it were called TO I
his attention in good season and in the /
right way. 1t is totally unlike many other 4
requests which the Chamber Of Com
merce has made of our senators. 1t is a
self-commendatory proposition. in the in
terest of saving human life, as well as
property, and tending to add immensely
to Astoria's commercial Importance. II
requires no formal investigation TO deter
mine its merits, and does not involve the
expenditure Of hundreds Of thousands and
even millions OF dollars OF public money
like other proposals upon which the As
toria Chamber of Commerce has repeated
ly memorialized congress and the various
departments OF the government.
No. a more worthy and appropriate
subject for the action Of our Chamber OF
Commerce could hardly be imagined. nor
one Offering better prospects Of success
ful accomplishment than this proposal TO
place range lights for the guidance OF
ships in the night time into the harbor.
Anu IL Is hVpeu lhdt 'he hdIToW' jealous
Astoria spirit which so often looks TO
the source rather than the merits of any
public suggestions will not be allowed 10
prevail in the meeting tonight. but that
the range light question may be taken up
without delay and vigorously pressed
upon our senator's at Washington while
there is yet time to include it in the regu-
lar appropriation bills OF this session.