The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1896-01-11
STUPID STUPIDITY.

The Portland Clarion of Jan. 4. con-
tanned an article entitled "River In.
terests," commenting at some length
upon the government works at Cas-.
cade Locks, in which the writer dis
plays bit of stupidity rather greater
than that of which he credits the press
of this city. Among other things, the
Clarion says:
SIT has been long and tedious labor.
lasting nearly score of years. Most
unreasonable grumbling and stupid
criticism has been expressed by the
press of the river towns. and especially
by The Dalles papers"
The grumblings of the press of the
river towns may have been stupid.
possibly because the writer's for the
rural press were not possessed Of the
"brilliancy" and shrill perceptive
faculties displayed by the Clarion
scribe, but they we're justified, call
them either ''stupid criticisms" or
honest protests against The wasteful
expenditure of government appropria-
uions without accomplishing any bene-
fetal result.
For thirteen years the improve
ments at the Cascades were under the
direct supervision of government en-
gineers, and during that time plans
and. specifications were constantly
being changed, money was being
wasted, and nothing being accom-
plished. During those years every in
dustry in the upper country was at a
disadvantage from having to pay ex-
orbitant freight rates, and in justice
to their patrons, to every interest that
furnished them support, it was the duty
of the writers for the press to raise
their voices, however stupid they might
appear to the Clarion scribe, in de-
mand that the work of constructing
the canal and locks be taken out of the
hands of the government engineers
and let to private contractors, men
who would have personal interest in
seeing the work pushed to completion.
Continuing further, the Clarion says:
1--WE are of the opinion that the sum
for the completion of the
job would have been quite as wisely
expended, and with fully equal results
by the government engineers. A large
part of the force formerly employed by
the government were citizens of The
Dalles and other towns ON the river:
these gave place to California men un-
der the new regime. Much of the
material previously purchased here by
the engineers has since been furnished
by California people. The Dalles has
not enjoyed the change.
The opinions of the Clarion upon
how effectually the sums appropriated
would have been expended by govern
ment engineers amount to little when |
it is taken into account that it re.
luired thirteen years for government |
engineers to perform less work than
1as been performed by the con-
.ractors in three. The Clarion too
seems to labor under the impression
hat government appropriations for in
ernal Improvements are made for the |
ole purpose of furnishing employment
% residents of certain localities, and |
the trade of one place or an
,ther while the work for which the ap-
is made is in progress.
This is brilliant disylay of stupidity.
are made to accomplish
work, not TO afford some place an op-
to sell a few more pounds of
1our, meat or vegetables. 1t is possible
,hatlThe Dalles does not furnish the
80 much of these articles
Is it did those who were directly in
he employ of the government under
,he old regime. but it has certainly en-
Dyed the change, since it can look
Onward to a fixed date when the canal
Ind locks will be completed. which is
If vastly more Importance to the city
han the pitiful benefit it derived from
he limited trade it had at the Locks
lnder the former management. The
Dalles wanted the locks open for the
of boats, not to have the work
prolonged indefinitely in order that it
night derive slight profit from the
'ale of provisions to government en-
,loyes, hence it really has enjoyed
he change.