The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-08-01

bo; ous parts of our tour of inspection
was the trip from Seattle to Lewiston,
and thence to Portland. but the inspection
would not have been at all complete
without an examination of the Snake
and Columbia Rivers.
with special reference to the Columbia
l will say that | was agreeably surprised
at the magnificent stream formed by the
Snake and Columbia. The great expense
for the Improvement of the Columbia
comes at two points, at its mouth and
at The Dalles. Without attempting to
commit either myself or the committee
i'll any manner, | have no hesitation in
saying that deep channel must be made
at the mouth of the Columbia.
| concerning the Dalles, am deeply
impressed with the opinion that the cost
of the proposed canal has been greatly
over estimated. The present estimate
for that improvement is &, 900. 900, while
the orig nal estimate was $6, 600, 900.
Part of the way there is already a natural
modern facilities for excavating both
earth and stone and with locks of reason
able and proper proportion, cannot see
why the work cannot be done for $2 ,ooo,-
600. So far as know, the members of the
committee have not discussed the prob
lem, and l dare say will not until they
meet in the committee room next winter.
~ have been greatly impressed and
delighted with the Pacific Coast. Many
splendid features present themselves
here. Where only a few years ago it
was believed that nothing of value would
grow, it has been demonstrated that any
thing will grow by pouring little water
on the ground. 1t is great empire, and
it certainly has future not dreamed Of a
few years ago."
Representative De Alva S. Alexander
of New York, said:
"Since l have been member of the
rivers and harbors committee, we have
visited every harbor and river Of import
ance in the United States, and those in
volving engineering difficulties and large
expenditures of money we have examined
with as much care as If we were experts.
With such information, of course, the
committee is able to compare one harbor
and one section of the country with an
other, and is fairly we'll qualified to de-
termine what projects most need the
help and care of the Government.
1--WE expected to be interested in the
Pacific Coast. but think we were hardly
prepared for the surprises which nave
come to us. We knew in general way,
Of course, of the Columbia River and its
tributaries; but the tremendous Inland
| Empire which we found east of the Cas-
cades was certainly an eye-opener to the
best-trayeled member of the committee.
We do not need to think what it will be
in so years. 1t is large enough now to
command the respect and help of the Ma
tional Government to degree far beyond
what most people in the Fast would be
willing to concede
1.-The wheat fields of the Inland Empire
rival those Of the Dakotas, and its copper
mines will in few years be recognized
as the equal Of those Of the Michigan
Peninsula; but its possibilities as an agri-
cultural region bid fair, with little
water stirred into the soil, to equal those
of Southern California. We stopped al
gardens as rich as those in the Mohawk
| Valley in New York, while they abounded
at the same time with all the fruits
known to the Pacific Coast, including
apricots and most delicious peaches.
The people Of the Inland Empire, nearly
all of them originally from the East.
seem to have the energy Of the average
inhabitant of Chicago.
! "Portland is the natural headquarters
Of great agricultural country, and once
the impediments to navigation are re-
moved every farmer and merchant will
be greatly benefited. The producer of
wheat will get 33b per cent more for his
labor than he now receives. The people
may rest assured that the committee
knows their country and its needs, and
that written arguments and labored
speeches are no longer necessary to bring
all the pecuniary assistance that the CON-
mittee can, in its Judgment. afford.'