The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-06-04
RAILROAD AFFAIRS.
How Matters Are Progressing
With the Construction
Work.

During the excitement over politics dur
ing the past few days railroad Affairs
have been lost sight Of. II IL perhaps not
generally known that q large amount OF
work Ia under way. and in a few days
large forces OF men win be at work ali
along the water front Plans are rapidly
developing and other enterprises will soon
be launched.
President Curtis. OF the construction
company. Is now in Portland examining
into the bonds offered hy the lowest bid
ders on the big contract for grading 10
Goble. Il Is hoped that something deh-
mite viii be done In regard 10 this con-
tract while Mr. Curtis Il in Portland.
The lowest bidders stlll think that they
can give bonds which will be acceptable,
but thsre are few others who think they
can. II they fail TO do 10. Corey Brothers
are the next lowest bidders. and IL is
almost certainty that they will secure
the contract
Architect DeLln reports that he Is
making good progress on the plans for
the depot, and adjacent buildings, which
VIII b. erected on the soow Bay site IL
II anticipated that construction can soon
begin on this part Of the work
The contracts have all been signed,
sealed and delivered for the pile driving
and grading through the city. Contractor
Goerlg started his men TO work yesterday
and Contractor Wakefield. who is In the
city, has commenced the BUILDING OF an
extraordinarily large pile driver TO De
used on his part OF the work The excep-
tonaily iOng piles which are necessary
on certain portion OF the water front,
compel the use OF very high driver.
Mr.. Wakefield thinks that he viii have
his machine ready within the next few
days and as some Of the piles are already
here and others on the way down the
river when construction does commence,
Il can proceed rapidly.
The machinery for the draw bridge will
all be In place and in operation by the
Z, nj OF the week. and the long bridge win
then be ready for the steel rails The
first two ships loaded with steel are now
expected In port almost any time. so
that Il Is more than probable that by
the Fourth OF July Astoria can celel rate
the arrival In its midst OF the first regula-
ton locomotive.
Corey Brothers will have four pile driv-
ers at work on the big wharf at Flavel
within the next few lays. and have al
most completed the grading OF the spur
track leading out TO the wharf Material
Is on the way for this piece OF work. ana
visitors to that side OF the bay will 1
soon witness a scene OF great activity.
The board OF directors OF the Flavei
hotel will meet today and start the con-
tractors at work on the new hotel Ar /
chitect McGlnnis is down from Portland /
and will have charge OF the work as su- 4
perintendent for the directors. Contract |
or Bayles Is positive that he can finish 1
the hotel ten days before the time agreed |
upon In the contract, and thus earn
large bonus
A great change is already being made
along the water front, and soon that part
nf the city win scarcely be recognized
Clinton Brothers are making rapid head
way with the driving of piles for the
Fisher Brothers dock and the work OF
cutting through the warehouse will he
commenced as soon as the pile driving Is
lnished. The right OF way west from
he Flavel wharf Is rapidly being cleared
II buildings, and by the time the work.
men reach that part OF the line, they
Will have a clear field.
The merchants OF the city feel much
Encouraged over the progress OF affairs,
md that there will soon be distributed in
he city quite large sums Of money in
he purchase OF supplies and material by
abroad contractors. While business is
lot only dun In Astoria, but throughout
he state, It is confidently expected that
here will be relatively better times here
han elsewhere in Oregon during the next
ear or two.