The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-03-30

hours, being entertained between sight
seeing trips by Mr.. seufert, at his
fruit ranch and cannery.
Returning to The DalIes the Asto-
rians had barely time TO prepare for
the grand banquet given them on Tues
day night at the Umatila hotel. Cow
ers were laid for about two hundred
people and the tables were flied. The
usual toasts and responses were made
and at the end OF four hours Of feast
Ing the visitors retired to rest up for
Wednesdays work.
On Wednesday morning citizens took
small parties OF Astoriana In hand and |
drove them about the country. The
business party was taken In charge
by President Harris Of the portage
road. II consisted Of B. Van Dusen.
r. L. Parker. II. c. Thompson, c. N.
Canadian. Samuel Adalr. r. p. Parker.
J. II. ,. Gray and Frank Woodheld.
OF Astoria; Ex-Governor Moody and Mr..
Whelden. OF The Dales.
This party walked over the line Of
the portage railroad until convinced
that It was being built for use. As
10 the stability Of the work being done
there can be no question, while the
feasibility Of the scheme has been Gem-
onstrated until reasonable doubt as to
It's ultimate success. II properly back
ed by support, is an impossibility.
President Harris stated the portage
railroad would be ready for business
by May / next but that the steamers
and barges TO be run In connection
with II would not be ready before July
next, in time. however, to handle
this years grain crop. President Har-
rls also said that Senator Turner. one
OF the directors OF the road, was ex-
pected from Washington and as soon
as possible after his arrived the direc-
tors would visit Astoria to arrange for
terminal facilities.
The return trip home was commenc-
ed at o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
A stop wes made at Vancouver and
the visitors were shown over the city
and through the barracks. Thence
homeward. the Lurllne reaching her
dock here at o'clock yesterday morn
ing. having made the trip without an
accident or disagreeable happening Of
any kind.
All the excursionists are loud In their
praises Of the reception and entertain
ment by the citizens Of The Dalles; the
business men are elated over the GER
tainty OF the success OF the portage
railroad and one and all. young and
old. have only praises for the treat
ment given them by Captain White
head and the crew OF the Lurline.
In speaking OF the departure Of the
Astorians from The Dalles the Times
Mountaineer says: The Astoria Wis
itors left at o'clock this afternoon for
their homes at the mouth of the river.
and a large crowd Of Dalles people
assembled at the dock to see them of.
AS the Lurline left the dock three
rousing cheers were given for the peo-
pie Of Astoria by the people on shore.
and in return three cheers and :iger
were given for The Dalles by the Wis
itors.
Editorially, that paper comments on
the excursion as follows:
"An open river TO the sea has long
been a dream OF The Dalles and sur
rounding country. but 1t has never been
fully realized until today. We have
long looked for the time when cargoes
OF the products OF the Inland Empire
would float untrammeled TO a port
where they would be loaded upon the
ocean travellers and seek the markets
of the world. and that waiting has
borne fruit. Mr.. F. A. Fisher. Of the
firm Of Fisher Bros, Of Astoria, bought
quantity Of wheat at The Dalles
warehouses today and shipped 1t direct
to Astoria today by the steamer Lur-
line. This is only the beginning Of
what win surely follow. In the future
the wheat of the Inland Empire-the
great Columbia valley-will find its
way to the mouth of the river where
} It will be handled at less cost than in
the past and will realize to the farm
ers from two to three cents more than
in past years. Wasco county farmers
may we'll take of their hats to Mr.
Fisher for being the pioneer from the
mouth of the river in the wheat market
of Eastern Oregon"