The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1896-11-09
WHAT 1T MEANS.

of distractions to navigation at the
Z Cascades to measure the benefits to
be derived therefrom. 1t is too soon
to yet measure the distance or name
the territory that will be benefited in
greater or less degree by the COM
pletion of this great work. The
Dalles will of course from its posi-
tion at the head of navigation, and
from the fact that it is also the only
Eastern Oregon point on that part of
the Columbia now open to tide water,
which is also in communication with
any large area of country, receive
more substantial benefits than any
other point. Heretofore the coun-
try lying south of US has re-
ceived its supplies from this point to
the distance of 200 and 25O miles.
Klickitat county, Washington, to the
north, Crook, Lake and Grant to the
south, have received large portion
of their supplies here and shipped
from here large portion of their
products. Sherman and Morrow
counties have dealt with us largely.
That the area of our trade is to be
increased cannot be doubted. The
completion of the work at the Cas-
cades has made The Dalles COM
petitive point, and hereafter freight
rates from the East will not be great
er to this point than to Portland, ,
Seattle or Tacoma. What does this
mean? 1t means that the wholesale
merchant who desires can locate here
and supply the rich agricultural and
stock country tributary to this point
much more cheaply than from any
other. 1t means that The Dalles can,
as a commercial center, give better
rates on merchandise to points east
OF us along the o. r. & N. than Port
land or any other place. 1t means
that the area of country tributary to
The Dalles will be doubled, because
Portland wholesale prices can be
met here. 1t means the cheapest
possible freight rates on all products
OF the country seeking market, and
on all merchandise imported. It
means unexampled business prosper
ity for The Dalles, and its speedily
taking its place as a new and i'm
portant business center.
1t means more for The Dalles
than for any other place; but it
means great deal for great many
other points. Wasco and Klickitat
counties ship yearly 100000 bush
els of wheat, and for every busbel
the farmer will now receive from 5
to 8 cents more than he otherwise
would. Sherman county ships from
100000 to 100000 bushels of
wheat, and on this vast amount from
3 to 5 cents bushel will be added
to what would otherwise be the
price. This means that $4,000 to
100000 will be left yearly with the
farmers that otherwise they would
not have received. Not only this,
but the enhanced price will cause an
increase in the acreage that will add
considerable to the above sums.
The Dalles has shipped usually
from 100000 to 100000 pounds
OF wool yearly, and while the river
competition heretofore has done Won
ders towards giving US cheap freight
rates, it is safe to say that they will
be yet further reduced. Our sheep
owners will gain at least a cent
pound, or will at any rate be able to
maintain the present low freight
rates, if indeed, they do not some
what improve on them. This means
to this industry alone 100000, and
in the country tributary to The
Dalles nearly double that sum. IT
puts us in shape to offer such prices
for wool that whether it is brought