The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1896-04-25
IF YOU PLEASE, MR. DAY.

LIZ IOO PLEASE, NIX DAY.
We were very much pleased with
the article in yesterdays Oregonian,
on Cascade Locks.
1t throws such flood of light on that
matter of the misrepresentation of the
$4,000.
This word seems harsh, maybe, but
as it has been made so clear that con-
gress and official red tape at Washing
ton-i:npersonal objects to kick at
are alone to blame, that even TIE
sensitive engineer department can
take no offense at the word.
But we are especially gratified that
Mr.. l. N. Day. whose fine Italian hand
| is ecognized in the article, has so
| kindly risen to explain, because while
he is on the witness stand we would
beg leave to ask him few more ques-
tions, and would respectfully request
him, in replying, not to use any signed
correspondence from Captain Fisk as
wind up again. because such sigma
ture might prove misleading. We feel
assured that there was no such lnten-
tion in yesterdays article.
First we would ask him whether or
not there is large amount of expen-
sive sub-aqueous excavation yet to be
done at the approaches to the canal
as rumored-and if so how much. and
I. E,,i ish h pt
of the work?
second, how much, if any, of the
I'm appropriated for his contract has
bsen diverted, by order of the engin-
eers, in guarding against the flood OF
1894. and in anticipation of the changes
il plans rendered necessary, according
to the report of the engineer board,
for future protection against floods ?
We do not intend by this to pry into
the amount of his claim against the
government. yet to be presented. for
Using the upper bulkhead in '94, as
il was understood that this work was
done with his own money, and it is
none of our business-yet.
Wishing to be honest and straight
forward in this matter, we will state
that our object in asking these ques-
tions is to find out why the monies
appropriated have been exhausted be-
fore the work is completed. Was it
because the gentlemen, who are so
highly trained at the Nations expense,
have made common every day mis-
take, or is it because-as an ugly rumOr
has it--advantage has been taken of
that clause in the amended contract,
allowing pay each month for the work
done during the month, according to
measurement. OF course the sum total
of the monthly measurements should
tally with the final measurement, and
that final measurement with the first
measurement on which the appropria-
tion was based. But does it? and if
not, why not?
Of course an explanation of this
whole matter may be in the answers to
our two questions, for if any great
amount. of monev has been expended
outside of the contract, it is obvious
why the cloth does not fit the pattern
now. But if such was not the case it
seems that an investigation is in order.
There is another disquieting runor
which Mr.. Day might set at rest by a
simple. plainly worded statement. 1t
is this. that the entire appropriation
in round figures of ST, 500, 900, is claimed
as earned by the contractors, even
including the ten per cent on that
amount intended to be Withheld for com
pletion of contract, and generally sup
posed to be available yet to hand over
to them when the work is accepted
and tnat this item forms the bulk of
the new appropriation of $4,000,
S150,000 on the original contract
and other small amounts due since. |
That as matter of fact the $4,000 So +
far as it will help in the work of |
further improving or completing the
locks, is a delusion, and that our repre- |
sentatives in congress have full know
ledge of the fact, while still engaged |
in making soft promises to our people
to keep them quiet until after June 1st.
Is there any foundation of fact for this
rumor, Mr.. Day?
This canal question is very close to
the heart of our people, too close to be
made political snare of. and it would
be we'll for all concerned to take quick
knowledge of that fact, we are all
united on the locks question.