Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-08-26
ROAD
NOW ASSURED
Open River Men Will Now Aid the
State of Oregon in the
Project.

In all probability. and regardless of
the projected movement for a canal
which is now pending. portage rail-
way is to be constructed between The
Dalles and Cello along the Columbia
river. says a Salem dispatch to the
Oregonian. The preliminary steps
toward the accomplishment Of this end
were taken at the State House today
at a conference held between several
members of the Open River Associa-
ton of Eastern Oregon, two members
Of the Portland chamber of commerce,
Portage railway commissioners, Goo
ernor Chamberlain and secretary of
state Dunbar. Treasurer Moore is alb
sent from the city.
The proposition made by the>visiting
delegation tot he board OF commission
ers was, in substance, as follows:
The Open River association proposes
to assume the sole responsibility for
the building OF the Portage railway.
and will take the necessary action to
attain it's realization. The association,
according to the agreement reached,
will issue bond to the board of COM
missioners. guaranteeing good faith
and that tibet road will be constructed.
All that 1t is to cost the state will be
the appropriation made therefore. ag-
gregating $165,00o. The association
will negotiate for a contract for the
building of the road and will assume
all cost Of the carrying out of the pro-
ject over and above the amount fur
nished by the state
The building of a portage railway,
such as is proposed under the state APP
preparation has long been a matter Of
doubt with the board of commissioners
and all concerned. The board, being
DESTROYS OF in no manner standing in
the way OF affording the people OF
eastern Oregon all of the relief sought
and at the earliest possible date. did
not hesitate in giving it's consent to
the proposition offered. provided salts
factory evidence be furnished that no
recourse could be had upon the state
for any amount above the appropria-
ton. The bond which will be furnished
the state, guaranteeing the construc-
ton Of the road IL all the security the
board could desire.
The Open River association will ex-
act a contract on the part of the build
er binding him or them to obtain the
necessary right Of way. construct and
equip the railway ready for operation.
the association to assume all expense
above the amount Of the appropriation.
The members Of the association. ac-
cording to the report submitted by En-
gineer Hawks. also q member OF the
party. assert that the right OF way
can be secured and the road built and
without the slightest interference with
the proposed government canal project,
although 1t may become necessary to
cross and recross the right Of way of
the canal In one place the route in
order to overcome some Of the obstacles
to be encountered.
The only thing that has prevented
the board Of commissioners from go
ing ahead with the Portage road pro-
| ject was the conflict between the
rights Of way OF the two projects. 1t
being deemed necessary to obtain the
governments consent to the tempor-
airy use OF the already secured canal
route before the railway could be con-
structed. The board was negotiating
along this line when the new PROPOSE
ton was offered and accepted. virtually
relieving the board OF all responsibility
in the matter and shifting It upon the
Oper River association.
The personnel Of the delegation fol.
lows:
President, John A. Smith. Of Blalock
secretary. w. J. Mariner. Of Portland;
DR.. N. g. Blalock. Of Walla Walla
Wash. and Engineer Hawks, repre-
senting the Open River association
and Henry Hahn and A. H. Devers. Of
the Portland Chamber Of Commerce.