The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-02-19
FIRST STEPS TOWARD CONSTRUC CTION
OF SEA WALL ARE TAKEN AT MEETING
OF CrTYS LEADING PROPERTY OWNERS

at Astoria would be much less than the
cost at Seattle. because the distances
here We're not so great and conditions
We're more favorable generally. The
general scheme. he said, replying to a
question put by ]. N. Griffin. would be
to build sea wall and fill In behind
II, using the deposit taken from the
river bottom outside as well as the
earth from the hills. which would be
sluiced down to gentle slope, A stone
bulkhead would cost many thousands
of dollars, he said, and he thought the
only feasible scheme at present would
be a less permanent wall, of piling aud
brush. The wall built at Seattle has
stood the test" Mr., Semple stated.
Here at Astoria you do not have to
contend with the teredo, and you could
build much better wall at a much
lower cost than has been built at Sc
attle."
Answering +. /. Parker's query, Mr..
Semple explained that there was very
swift current at Seattle, running much
more swiftly than the June freshet of
the Columbia, and causing much an
noyance and entailing much additional
expense. The ill above high water
mark at Seattle is two feet. The deep
est I'LL made at Seattle was 10 feet.
How To Start The Ball.
G. A. Coolidge asked Mr.. Semple
what plan he would suggest to get
matters started. Mr., Semple replied
that he believed committee should be
appointed to wait upon the property
owners and determine whether or not
they would be favorable to the scheme.
II was his idea that the property should
he bonded to pay for the improvement.
At Seattle the land owners had been
given 10 years in which to make pay
ment, and the value of their holdings
had been so greatly increased that they
were clamoring for the opportunity TO
make immediate settlement. II the
business interests of Astoria were fav-
orable to the plan. the company could
formulate its scheme for the better
ment Of the townsite and submit It to
the Chamber Of Commerce, or such
otaer organiEatioR as the citizens might
designate.
The Meat of the Nut.
MIR Gilmore went back to hrst prin-
aiples. He wanted to know how all the
conflicting interests Of the city coulG
be got together. I'm a cahhefy thah'
and | want to know how you viii con-
vince me that a sea walt viii be good
thing for me. when it will mean that
will have to go over to Washington
for net rack room.- I'm in the coal
business. and want to know where
can land my ships when they come
here from Australia. Every one else
has interests which he will seek to pro-
tect or advance and 1t seems to me
we should first take up the matter OF
bringing our business interests
together. The cost Of the I'M
provcment Is secondary con-
liberation. am atisfied the CONNER
ctal future Of Astoria depends upon
Just such a scheme as has been pro-
posed here tonight, and want to see
the different interests reconciled so
there will be no obstacle in the way Of
the undertaking"
Mr.. Sempe said just such difficulties
had been encountered at Seattle, but
that when patriotic appeal had been
made to the citizens they agreed to
temporary sacrifices for the greater
benefit Of future permanency in COM
mercial matters. AS to dockage facil-
tiles, he said the plating here would
doubtless require revision, so as to pro-
vide such slips as may be necessary
to the accommodation Of shipping. He
suggested that he believed Astoria was
anxious to emerge from its previous
historical position and enter upon its
commercial life and that, II this was
really the case, it would be necessary
to get together and discount the future.
Mr.. Elmore said he believed most
Astorians were progressive. He re-
called that the utmost enthusiasm had
been shown at the time of the building
of the railroad. when a large subsidy
! was raised, and yet the building Of the
railroad was hardly as important a
matter as the construction of the sea
wall. He expressed the confidence
that the people Of the city would carry
the proposal to a successful issue II
they were properly enthused, and that
there would be no lack of enthusiasm
when the matter was fully explained