The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-02-25
ASToRIAN PUBLISHING COMPANY.
THE ASTORIA SPIRIT WILL DO IT.

THE ASlUhlA OF 1hll NiihI ~ IL
The proposal for the construction of sea wall
along the city front is by far the most important
ever undertaken by the people of the enterprisng
city of Astoria No other Improvement could be of
such far-reaching value nor can the people OF the
city hope for the future greatness of Astoria without
q sea wall such as is now contemplated. 1t means
everything for Astoria, and long ago the matter
should have been taken up and carried to success
full issue Our past Indifference does not, however
detract one ota from the Importance of the present
day undertaking, and every Astorian with the in
terests of his city at heart viii lend his hearty CO
operation to the project
The sea wall will have two effects of primary inn
portance 1t will provide us with irst-class water
docks and undertake improvements of permanent
character, and it will give great value to property
that now is little better than worthless With solid
water front extending, at first, from the foot of
Ninth street to the Catsop mills Astoria would add
more than million dollars to her realty wealth.
The benefit would accrue to the entire city, not alone
because the improvement means inexpensive level
ing Of the hills but because it Is impossible TO I'M
proue one section wthoa beaeting all other sections
The sea wall proposal is a gigantic undertaking.
Estimates of the cost Of the work are necessarily in
accurate because of the lack of preliminary work. but
it viii cost vast amount of money. However, it is
an inevitable improvement The sea wall must be
built sometime within the next 10 years, and re-
fection will bring one to the conclusion that it can
be undertaken at the present time expeditiousy
and with smaller cost than at some future date As
tora will continue to grow in the future as it has
in the past and the cost of the sea wall vii increase
with the growth Of the water front and be rendered
just that much more difficult. Streets must be
widened and grades properly regulated, and there
are many other Improvements to be made which can
best be carried out at the present time The matter
has been opporunely taken up and it should be the
aim of Astoria Astorians to push it to satisfactory
termination
The committee Of ten has an important work on
its hands. Upon it will depend largely the efforts
to be made hereafter This committee must bring OBJ
stinae property owners around to the public spirit
ed way Of looking at municipal conditions 1t must
convince them that their own true interests lie in the
betterment of the Astoria water front. 1t will meet
with rebus, just as other committees have met with
them but it must 90 cheerily onward, preaching the
gospel Of Astoria salvation without particular con
slderation for the dscouragng influences which may
be exerted, and in the end the objectors will rise
up to call it blessed
The committee stock in trade is the Astoria spirit
the spirit that has accomplished great achieve
ments. 1t will be recalled that the railroad under
taking was considered hopeless, but the Astoria
spirit was equal to that emergency. The railroad
could at best but offer indefinite results It has
greatly assisted the city in many respects but it has
not brought to us the foreign commerce which we
so sanguinely anticipated. In some time that COM
merce will come. But it does not follow that we
should wait for what the railroad must inevitably
bring us Instead we must be up and doing for our
celves, After what we have accomplished in the
way of Improvements in the past it is ridiculous to
entertain even for moment the idea that we can
not now carry the sea wall proposal to successful
issue All that is required is properdispay of that
enthusiastic sentiment which battles opposition and
Surmounts all obstacles
The Astoria spirit will build the sea wall.