Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-01-09
Prosperous Year Assured
portland Oregon.)

The ominous roll of the war drums
still the sweeter music of industrial
activity in this country. From the At
lantic to the Pacific and from the great
lakes to the gulf more stupendous
projects for internal development are
under way for 100 than for any previ-
Gus year in our history. These projects
great in their prospective influence
upon commerce and industry, involve
the expenditure of vast sums for ma
terial and wages, and accordingly all
lines of trade and industry share in the
benefits arising therefrom. In con-
temptation of the situation we natu-
rally look first to that nearest home,
and in Oregon, Washington and Idaho
we can see much that is pleasing. Cen
trail Oregon. a country rich in natural
opened up for development by the con-
struction of a 100-mile extension of the
Columbia Southern railroad. Follow
ing the completion Of this road, large
sums of money will flow in for the
development of the great timber re-
sources of the country and for the
purpose of retaining vast tracts of
rich land by irrigation.
The year will witness the commence
ment of the great work of opening the
Columbia river above The Dalles, and
the extension of the jetty and deepen
| ing of the channel at the mouth of this
wonderful commercial highway Wash
ington and Idaho share with Oregon
in the good results of this work, and
both of these states, like Oregon, have
under way big irrigation projects which
will in the aggregate disburse millions
for labor and material and will provide
homes for thousands of newcomers.
Another interstate improvement of
great Importance is the construction
ton. While the mater of building is
not definitely settled for this year, as
s the case with the Columbia South
ern, 1t is regarded as a certainty, ana
work will undoubtedly be commenced
this year. In Portland, aside from the
preparatory work for the Lewis and
Clark fir, there are more new mills,
factories and big business houses
planned for this year than for any
previous year IN our history. The rail-
roads are spending millions on their
terminal facilities mt Seattle and Ia
coma. an dthe money thus disbursed
win help the general trade situation
throughout the northwest.
Taking a broader view of the situa-
ton, we find similar conditions ex-
listing over a good part of the United
4 States. In New York the state is to
spend over $4,000 900 in improving
it's canal system and an even greater
sum is to be expended in tunnel and
subway work in the vicinity of and on
Manhattan Island. Throughout the
middle west the earnings of the rail-
roads for considerable period are to
be dishursed for labor, material and
equipment for strengthening curves, re-
ducing grades and effecting other i'm
provements by which the cost of NOV
ing freight can be lessened. Mention
was made in these columns a few days
ago of the record breaking increase in
the number of locomotives built in the
United States last year and of the fact
that even with this increased output
most of the big roads of the country
were still hampered for motive power
This year the locomotive works will
not only be called on TO supnlY this