The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-09-13
Convention for
An Open River
People Of Astoria Urged to In.
terea Themselves in Pro.
ject Under Way.

Levi w. Meyers, secretary OF the
Columbia River Improvement Associa-
fion, offers an excellent suggestion In
letter TO The Astorian. He believes
a river Improvement convention should
be held for the purpose OF urging upon
congress the necessity Of opening the
Columbia. Mr.. Meyers letter follows.
Portland, Sept. 10.--tEditor The AS
torian)-It seems 10 me that the OPEN
ing of the Columbia river to unobstruct
ed commerce, between The Dalles and
Cello, is one of the most important OF
all the public enterprises now before
the people Of our state, and drop you
few lines 10 ascertain how you think
and feel about 1t, and TO ascertain
whether the people Of Astoria VIII take
part In river improvement convention
that Is projected TO be held some time
next month at The Dalles. ! viii not
undertake TO review the history OF this
river question, its present status or It's
prospect In the future. for you already
know all about these matters. Ii IS
sufficient to say that nothing Will De
accomplished in the way OF a perma-
nent Improvement at the point Of OBJ
structIon designated until there Is a
decidedly popular demand for 1t. Al
present all talk about something about
10 be done is. substantially. to kill time
and stave off the inevitable.
II have corresponded with editors OF
the Inland Empire about this improve
ment and a mass convention TO help
II along, and all favor II; only cooper
alton at this end OF the river Is neces-
sary to give it life and force.
II am a citizen of Portland. but my
interest In public affairs is not tied up
in this city or even in this state. l
know something about the improve
ment of rivers, having lived for a large
mart OF my life on the banks OF the
mississippi and / want to see the Co
lumtia opened TO the Pacific. 1t ought
IN be done. and 1t can be done If the
people viii press congress vigorously
enough through the delegations fromtne
Northwestern states. ] do not believe
/, will be done in any other way ana 50
I favor this proposed convention. Wnat
win Senator Fulton say about IL?
"There has been rivalry between TINS
citv and Astoria. 1t ought not to have
been, but the solution OF this matter y
the opening of the Columbia to Lew
tston and of the Snake into ldano.
Omen the rivers TO safe navigation and
then let the laws If trade and OF trans
nortation determine results. The CITY
,hat can build most boats and do the
carrying to the best advantage snouiu'
and will. control the trade and make
the shipments to the Orient. Has not
Astoria as vital an interest here as any
other city of the Northwest?
,rhe contents OF Mr.. Meyers letter
were conveyed to Senator Fulton yester
day and the senator was asked Tor an
expression. He said:
~ believe the suggestion for a river
hnproyement should be adopted. a
convention of the kind suggested would
show congress the deep interest when
,ha neonla of the Columbia basin take
in the matter of the open river ailu
would. I believe, perhaps have iniiueilce
IN securing the necessary appropflatioii'
To my mind, the convention si;ouid Pc
he,d al an early date, and, while the
neonle Of Eastern Oregon ought TO pe
most largely represented, 1t would pc
we'll 10 have representation from AS
toria. as showing that the improveiiish'
fleets the interests Of all alike. thlhk
The idea is an excellent one ana hope
II will be carried out.