The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-11-29
INLAND EMpmE vs., PORTLAND,


The following extracts from u letter
written by d. X, Warren, Of Warren
ton, TO the oregonlan. were published
by that paper yesterday morning un-
der slurring headlines, That evidence
Of smallncss on the part ~ the ore.
gonian. however does not prevent the
powerful facts and figures presented by
Mr.. Warren, who has given the matter
careful study, from standing above any
bclittllne headlines,
Limited space forbids using the en-.
tire article. but the following excerpts
viii prove OF interest to every fair
minded thlnkcr on the subject,
This IL not Portland vs. Astoria
question In any true sense; indeed. Il Is
not alone an Oregon question, Il Is u
question " vital Importance 10 the en-
tire Columbia basln-an empire six
times ~ large as New England, Much
has been said and written In regard
10 the natural advantages ot the down
grade route from this vast empire TO
the Pacific ocean. but let me ask, What
advan,aee are the people ot oregon de-
irving from this gravity route to the
scaboards
Two lines OF railway. with heavy
grades ara costly tunnels, have been
constructed over the Cascade mountains
to lugct sound. TO compete lnr the
trade which Is naturally tributary to
this practically watcr-level route These
mountain roads fiX the rate on t0pnag
satisfactory 20 them for service rem
drred. and our Oregon down grade line
charges the same rate tO a point llo
miles distant from the ocean. and 100
mlles shorter haul, From table dis
tancc before me, | note the following
From Pendleton 10 Seattle. 1ls miles,
from Fendleton 20 Astoria, s9i milcs,
Wala Wnlla 20 SsOttle. sbi miles Wal.
In To Astoria. ai5 miles. And Set IN the
face Of these facts. William REID tells
-as he thinks--a crcdul0us constituency
tsee Oregonian. November y thar ln
case the Oregon road should deliver tn
tonnage at the mouth ot the Columbia
river practically the same distance
that the mountain roads must haul to
Puget sound the farmers would have
to pay an extra charge " 30 cents pcr
ton.
II seems a waste Of time "a answer
nn argument so devoid ~ the pininsst
elements VI common sense. boss he
think the producers OF Oregon viii for
ever alt lll,a blind owls upon the dry
limb Of dead tree and hoot only
when they are told 20 ho0t?
just q few words In reply 10 the ar
licle of Major Sears. In the OrcgDnlan
OF the 9TH inst He says the commercial
port ~ a region will be as close to the
producer as II IN possible 10 reach with
the class of transportation demanded
by the requirements of the country. In
order 20 give all the strength possible
To his argument. let us concedc this "a
he true and see how II Will apply 20 the
seaport ~ Portland.
Dors Major Sears remember that tn
United States and the Port OF Portland
have expended more than 81 100000 on
river improvements between Portland
and Astoria. or IN round numbers. 90
cents per ton for ali foreign export
tonnage from the Columbia river for
ten years. and that the engineers re.
port that 5000 900 win yet be required
to obtain a channel Of 20 feet In
depth?
Does he bear In mind the fact that
the expenditure In dredging the channel
for 1899 was more than 1880 per ship
for the grain fleet OF that fiscal year.
and that no permanent improvements
were made. hut simply the same condi-
tlons malntained-that is. a minimum
depth OF 10 feet Of water? (See General
Wilson'S report. Oregonian. October 20.
1897 Does he take into account the
rapid increase In the size and depth
Of the vessels built and building 10