The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-03-05
THE HARBOR BAR.
Something Concerning the Side
Outlet of the Willatette VAL
ley.

The people of Oregon, and es-
pecially residents of the William
cite valley, have a material in
terest in the future of Yaquina
bay. The development of the
harbor into general seaport
means independence of the South
ern Pacific railroad company and
independence of Portland; con-
sumations that will put cash in
the pockets of our producers and
businessmen.
The work already accomplish
ed by the government has result
ed in a permanent channel of
sufficient depth to allow the en-
trance of vessels drawing from I S
to 20 feet of water and this, with
the building and operation of the
road now known as the O. c. &
E. R. R., has lessened freight
rates. The benefit to the farm
ers is perceptable in the higher
prices paid for grain in the mar
kets along the line of the road as
compared with the prices paid in
renoter towns.
Over 5000, 900 have been spent
by the general government in the
improvement of the harbor, the
first appropriation being made in
1880. The government received
back nearly a third of this
amount in the way of duty on
duty on steel rails used in the
building of the railroad; an en-.
terprise that would not have been
commenced but for the work done
i'll deepening the channel. It
has been estimated by trust
worthy staticians that the direct
saving to producers and consum-
ers i'll freight rates, on the actnal
tonnage over the bar, is not far
short of 81, 900, 900.
The railroad, at present ex-
tending from Yaquina City to the
Cascade mountains, represents an
expediture of millions piled on
millions. The future extension
of the road to Boise City, giving
an outlet to Oregon's great Inland
Empire, and the proposed
branches to Eugene and Salem,
doubtless depend upon a continu-
alton of government work on the
| harbor.
Yaquina bay, naturally, has its
enemies, and powerful ones, too.
Commercial Portland is bitterly
opposed to any such undermining
of her supremacy, as the devel
opment of All independent first.
class harbor at Yaquina woule
bring about. She has exactee
tribute from the rest of Oregon
for years, and is not disposed t.
forgo her advantage without /
struggle. Yaquina, like Astoria
has had to fight the wealthy me
! tropolis of the northwest.
Fortunately for both ports
Oregon's representatives in con
gress have represented Oregon
While not neglecting Portland
Legitimate interests, they hav'
not catered to her selfshness an.
have worked faithfully and effect
lively for government aid for al
worthy rivers and harbors. Th
defeat of Hermann for nomina
ton was due to Portland machi
nations. Portland tried to defea
Ellis. Portland prevented tn
reelection of Mitchell and tn
Portland Oregonian constantl
attacks Senator Mcbride. @
course there is more than mer
political sentiment in all this
and the only wonder is that man
"cow county" citizens a1lo,
themselves to be deceived by tn
Portlanders' pretences, and fc
the sake of political issues ths
are definitely settled, and fo
doubts that have no just caus
for existing, urge the defeat {
! the very men whe have, in cor
} gress, accomplished the most fc
the whole state.
A continuation of this subjee
5 in the next issue of this paper
: will discuss the material benef
to the state of the important i'm
provments to Yaquina bay, cor