The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-09-13

OF that city are behind the enterprise.
They base their project upon the 'fmmu-
table law" as some hold Il 70 be. that
ocean vessels win penetrate inland TO
the head OF navigation. There are shrcwd
capitalists and far-seeing men behind
the project, and the o. r. q n. Co. Ia
backing the enterprise. IL has been felt
that the genera govcrnment can properly
be called upon to do a large share toward
the scheme and the senators and rep.
resentatives from oregon, with Portland's
influence urging them on. are expected
10 aid in securing this natural condition
for the Northwest
The enterprise, though not yet much
talked OF outside Of Portland, ls to se.
cure a 25-foot channel from the mouth OF
the Columbia up to the head Of naviga.
tion 10 Lewiston. on the Snake river and
TO Pasco, on the columbia river. Tho
lines of the o. r. \ n. Company and the
Northern Pacific Company east Of Lew
iston and of Pasco ara 20 be nodded 50
as 90 deliver 20 these points at the head
of navigation, after the government has
secured tho ship channel demanded by
AAlN NANMNNhAN va AAAN AUlfAANA AaAANfNANH
Westward from Lewiston and Taseo no
ocean freight outbound or inbound will
be carried. the business of these lines
ives, Of the points named being limited
TO freigh, and passengers which cannot
so by ocean OF river vessels, The ser
vice by ocean and river vessels has been
found 20 b. 50 much cheaper npOn the
lower Columbia river, that Il has been de-
cided to extend this mode Of ,ranspor,a-
ton upward TO the head OF navigation,
thereby securing very great increase
OF net profits 10 the railways named.
The enterprise is a large one. but the
Portland capitalists are enthusiastic, and
they feel confident that natural laws Of
transportation are behind their project.
and that the general government, will
cheerfully extend It's aid. Probably much
OF the o. r. & y. Companys track west
OF wallula will be taken up, as Il Is said
its experience below Portland shows that
river system Is moro profitable.
The wheat Of the walla walla and PEN
dleton country will be taken east and De.
livered TO the ocean vessels at Lewiston
Lewiston and Pasco are TO be made
common points" and owing to the
greatly reduced haul for the o. r. & y.
and n. P, companies secured thereby, Il
Is considered that there viii be no need
lessly long haul tothe. extent OF therallway
lines, and that the business OF these lines
will be probably limited to routes not in
competition with ocean or river vessels.
This great project accounts for the
past failure OF the o. r & y. Company
to extend its lines 70 the coast and de-
liver 20 the ocean vessels az the ocean
Its action Is the result Of profound
thought on the part OF its financial men.
and Is based on the immu;able laws OF
transportation that will triumph in the
long run over artificial conditions.
II means. OF course. that both Astoria
and Portland must. after a time. rest con-
tent with river transportation. and be
willing 10 see ocean vessels so past both
seapor,s with their ocean freights. But.
fortunately. both Astoria and Portland
are in good agricultural and grazing dis
tricts. apd can, from their industries in
these lines, manage TO have a satisfactory
local growth. provided they are content
70 lay all commercial ambitions aside.