The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1896-05-16
MORE MONEY WANTED.

MORE MONEY WANTED.
The visit Of J. G. and /. N. Day ir.,
to this city yesterday, probably had nc
significance, their mission no doubt
being to show their friend. M. Percy,
the beauties of Eastern Oregon scenery.
nevertheless in an. interview with
them, the editor of the TIMEs-MoUN-
TANNER ascertained some things
which, to certain extent, explains
why the canal aud locks at the Gas
cades have not been opened for the
passage of boats, and why the $4,000
were not available to construct the in
ner walls, the lack of which is said to
be the only thing to prevent the opera
tion Of the locks.
Their explanation of the $4,000 af-
fair is simple, though at the same time
obscure. 1t is that Mr.. Day, when he
made sthe statement in March that
there was an unexpended balance OF
between 10000 and $4,000 did not
know what he was talking about; very
nearly all of the amount having been
earned at the time he made the state
ment, 80 when the resolution making
the appropriation was signed by the
president, the contractors had sue
ceeded in exhausting all the appropria
tion. This explanation, however, is
on par with their promise that the
locks would be opened on March J.
1896, and is worthy of just as much,
credence as was that promise.
This explanation, though, has little
bearing on the present, situation, and
had they gone no further, it-would be
q difficult matter to form an idea OF
why the contractors still keep their
plant on the reserve, since their con-
tract Is in a manner finished. But
they advised the press of The Dalles to
cease finding fault with the govern
ment engineers and contractors, and
put their shoulders TO the wheel in an
effort to get more money out OF the
treasury to be expended on the work.
They cay "get another appropriation
bill through congress and the locks
will be completed. Money is all that
is lacking now" This, we believe,
explains the. situation pretty fully.
The Days are not in this country
altogether for their health. They are
shrewd business men and propose to
make every dollar they can, and With
as little exretion as possible. They
have exhausted the original appropria-
tion, whether to the best advantage or
not is told by the locks not being open
today. And they are perfectly willing
to earn few hundred thousand more
If an opportunity is offered them.
Hence they say "get in like good fel.
lows, get more money, and we will !
spend it for you." Whether it results
in opening the locks or not makes no
difference, for you have nothing to
ship over the river-yon csn only afford |
sufficient traffic for one boat day"
The situation seems to explain itself,
and is this: So long as the Days keep
their plant at the Cascades. and can
gull the people into working for addi-
tional appropriations for them to
spend. work will go on, but the locks
will never be opened.
How they propose to continue this
"strain of pleasure and profit to them.
is explained by Mr.. J. G. Day,
when he chided the TINES Noun
TANNER for accusing Congressman
Ellis of duplicity in the matter. "Mr.
Ellis" says Mr. Day, lis the most faith
full servant the people of Oregon can
have. He stands in for appropriations
for the locks right along. When you
oppose his reelection, you oppose
your best friend" What do such ex.
from -dr. Day mean? Simply
this: Day Bros. want more money.
Mr.. Ellis, II elected, will help to sup
ply it, aud at the same time will not
court an investigation Of how it is ex-
pended. If there were any other solu-
ton, why should resident of Califor-
mia, and government contractor at
that, take such deep interest in the
election OF an Oregon congressman?
After having interviewed the Days
and considered the substance of their
of the situation at the
Cascades, we can arrive at no other
conclusion than this: They have had
q profitable contract from the govern
ment; they want more money appro.
priated that they may continue in the
employ Of the government, and 80 fer
as removing distractions to the navi-
CATION OF the Columbia they have little
concern. And further, if they remain
with their plant at the Cascades, and !
can secure the election of congress ,
man who is favorable to them, they
will continue to draw more money out
Of the treasury. and the people can
whistle for an open river.