The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-09-15
Harbor Is Not
Deep Enough
Chamber Of Commerce Taking
Steps to Have More Work
Done InsiCe Heads.

Nv HHAhAtt VI @VIlti'EtE HVtuf llH
time last night In discussing harbor i'm
proyements and advertising. Harbor
improvements came In for thorough
discussion. and the chamber took ac-
tion looking TO more extensive work In
side the harbor.
The chamber has been anxious TO
have the government engineers order
improvements OF the river channel
from Smith Point 10 position opposite
Fort stevens. The channel has been
ehoallng there. and II In necessary now
for pilots 10 await high tide before
taking large steamships TO sea. When
the matter was referred TO Major Lang
MT he replied TO the effect that the
dredge Ladd would be used In the lower
harbor whenever possible. but offered
the suggestion that perhaps better re-
suits could be obtained when the Grant
arrived TO dredge the bar.
Whether or not the Grant win be en-
gagged IN harbor work Is q question that
In interesting members OF the chamber.
The Grant is TO be operated under an
appropriation for Improvement OF the
bar, and II IN not clear 10 members OF
the chamber that she could be used In
side the harbor during those periods
when weather conditions would not
permit her to work outside the Heads.
II the war department we're TO take the
broad view Of the matter and use the
Grant inside the harbor, when the
weather was too severe for her to work
outside. all would be well; but, should
II be held that the bar improvement
appropriation must be used entirely for
the purpose specified. and that the
drcdge could net be elsewhere employ
cd, the channel would continue to shoal
Major Langfitt is undoubtedly anx-
lous TO deepen the harbor at the point
designated above, but there Is little
probability Of the I.add ever being sent
below Astoria for any length OF time.
She is needed constantly in the upper
river. where another sandbar forms as
soon as one Is removed. Notwithstand-
ing the fact that the Ladd has been
steadily engaged there for months. II
has been necessary this geason to light
en- some cargoes down the river.
The chamber has instructed Judge
Bowlby. chairman OF the committee on
commerce and navigation. TO communi-
cate with Major Lang6tt and determines
the status Of affairs.
In discussing the shoallng OF the
channel, President James W. Welch
stated that the work done above the
river is not only running the channel
east Of Astoria, but as well below the
city. He states that the sediment
dredged out Uy the Ladd fills In the
channel In many places, and that the
present plan Of Improvement Is operat-
Ing 10 the disadvantage OF the entire
river.
The chamber has been desirous of
having the harbor lines readjusted, and
with this end In view has recently COM
municated wfh the secretary OF war,
asking survey. The chambers letter
las not been replied to, and Secretary
Higgins was instructed to ask that cog
nlzance be taken Of the suggestion OF
the chamber.
The advertising discussion was p'e-
cipltated by receipt II communica-
ton from A. r. Kanaga, whose paper,
Fruit and Irrigation Age. San Fran
cisco publication, Is to print an excep-
tionally ine October number. In which
/, IL hoped by the publishers, Astoria
win be represented. Several propo-
sitIons were submitted, involving the
expenditure of $500, $500 or 5000. II was
finally decided that the chamber appro-
priate $50 towards the project, with
the recommendation that the Push
club be asked to appropriate similar
sum. the remaining 800 to he secured
by Mr.. Kanaga from the business men
Of the city. The chamber and Push
Club have almost exhausted their re-
sources in advertising Clatsop county
which, by the way, Is said by Mrs
Edith Tozier Weatherred, than whom
there is none more competitieht 10
Judge, to be the best advertised county
in the state--and COR this reason II was
impossible 10 take as much space as the
chamber wished to take,