The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-24
THE r1L1AMooK BAR.
Mr.. wist Explains the Difficulty Ex-
perienced in Maintaining a Regu-
lar Transportation Service.

E. G. E. wist, for the past seven
teen years resident of Tillamook
county and pioneer business man
in both Tillamook ans Nehalem, is in
the city on brief business trip. Prob
ably no resident of that district has
paid closer attention TO the condi-
tions under which both OF those sec
tions have grown into thriving COM
munities than has Mr.. Wist. The
gentleman was seen by an Astorian
representative and questioned concern
ing the alleged dissatisfaction of his
neighbors with the transportation ia
cilities existing between Tillamook and
Nekalem and this city.
Il have been reading articles in one
of the Portland papers and an Astoria
publication in which much criticism is
made Of the steamer line which is be-
ing maintained, said Mr.. West. These
statements are absolutely untrue.
Few people over in my district have
been complaining Of the service or
suggesting any wild propositions
looking to the establishment OF
an independent steamer line. Those
who understand the situation thor
oughly pass the matter as unworthy
Of serious thought. Why? Simply be-
cause a better service can never be
maintained so long as the Tillamook
aud Nehalem bars are in their present
condition. The waters there are al
most unnavigable except under the
most favorable conditions, and when
these conditions prevail there is no
difficulty. discussed the matter with
the captain of the Harrison few
days ago and ne said. in reference
to the trip to Nehalem, that he had
positive orders to 80 there regularly
but that, were it even possible for him
to cross in, there was no telling how |
long he would be- bottled up before |
he could get out again. He stated-and |
most reasonably-that under the cir
cumsiances he was in great, good luck
TO be able TO keep up anything like
regular communication with Tilla-
nook alone.
THE wrecks Of the Lila and Mat
tie and Laguna, which are lying in the
harbor at Tinamook, should be suffi-
cient evidence TO the world as to the
dangers 10 navigation in those waters.
No sane man on earth is going to sac
riice his vessels merely in order to
maintain regular communication with
out regard for conditions.
For my part. l am as much inter-
ested in a regular service as any per- |
son or firm over there. but I realize |
the difficulties which are encountered |
and am fair and reasonable enough |
not to expect impossibilities.
Il understand that the Pacific Nayi-
cation Company will soon have its new
boat in service. This promises to bring
about a big improvement as the boat
is being built especially for that run"
Mr.. Wist stated that Immediately up
on his arrival in this city he picked up
a copy of local evening paper in
which 1t was asserted that freight had
been allowed to remain in the freight
sheds here for months before being
taken to its destination.
Il went to the lock at once to make
inquiry" said Mr.. West, "and learned
that the report was absolutely untrue.
There wasn't pound of Tillamook
freight there except that which was
in the hold of the Harriosn. also
learned that. as a rule, all the freight
offered was taken by the steamer.
In describing the bar at Tillamook
bay Mr.. Wist declared that since the
middle of December last the channel
had shifted to the northward to dis !
tance of a mile along the beach.