The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-08-24
THE PALOUSE RIVER IRRIGATION
SCHEME is UP TO THE RAIL.
ROAD COMPANY.
Possibility of the Scheme Being Aban-
Chance.

While in Portland attending the
Mining congress F. H. New ell. chief
engineer of the national reclamation
service, was interviewed by an Ore
CONAN representative, in which he said
that he is disappointed that the work
is being delayed by the unfortunate
complication With the Q. r. & n. over
the track built through the Palouse
site, though he is hopeful that time
will remedy and adjust the difficulty
to the satisfaction of all.
Il suppose the situation is just the
same as mas existed for some Time
said Mr.. Newell, for l have not been
at the site of the projected reservoir
nor have I heard anything recently
| from MI Calvin, the manager of the
O. r. & n, with whom l discussed the
| matter.
The matter rests with the road now
| for unless the company consents to
change its track out of the reservoir
tract the project will have to be
abandoned, for the time at least. l
had hoped that the matter would be of
easy adjustment, and that 1t would
have been settled by this time. l had
an idea that the solution Of the ques-
| ton rested in the hands of Mr.. Calvin,
| but it seems to be necessary to refer
| it to the central offices of the company.
Since l talked the subject over with
Mr.. Calvin l have heard nothing of it
| and do not know When it will be set
tied or how.
! You can lead horse to water, but
you can't make him drink" quoted
! Mr. Newell. and this applies to the
railroad. 1t is now simply a matter
Of whether the company will move out
or not. l am disappointed at the delay
and hope it will soon be over. The
| Washtucna project looked we'll to the
bureau, but if the railroad does not see
| fit to get out of the reservoir site IL
| will be abandoned for another. There
| is one at North Yakima, which is being
| urged upon us and this will. in all
probability, be taken up if the other
| cannot be finished.
What would be the effect on Port
land, if the O. r. & y. was to change
| lis track and lose control of the terri
tory now drained by it, was asked.
| Would it lose the grain shipments to
| this place from that district, divertng
! them over the Northern Pacific into
Seattle and other Puget Sound ports,
or would the changed location of the
| track make any difference?'
| Il do not think that it would be to
| the advantage of Portland to have the
| ueer. but that is something for the
Chamber OF Commerce of the city or
some similar body to take into con-
| sideration. With the department it is
| simply question of developing the
| country. without regard to the effect
on the commerce of one section more
| than another.
If the change threw the grain ship
ments to the Northern Pacific it would
take them away from Portland. but |
| do not see that such a condition is
| necessary. At the present time the
| tracks of the O. r. & \. run through
| the bottom of the depression in which
| it is proposed to build the reservoir.
All the government asks of the COM
pany is to move its tracks a few hum
dred feet either to the north or the
south. The terminals of the line would
he the same and it would make no diff
ference in hauling the grain to the
road for Shipment
Interest on Your Money.