Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1904-11-24
FOR PORTAGE ROAD.
Lewiston Commercial Club So
liCiting Funds.

| lne matter OF constructing q pOr-
tage road around instructions in
the Columbia river and TINS maxi
ing an all water route to the coast
is receiving active support from the
inland country and is believed the
necessary funds will soon be Sc
cured.
The Lewiston Commercial club
has Issued the following statement
relative to the road:
| Very shortly after this article is
published collectors will be in the
field soliciting subscriptions for the
construction of the portage railroad
around the distractions in the Col
umbia river at The Dalles and
Cello, in the state of Oregon. In
order that the people to be ap-
preached may be fully advised be-
fore the collectors take the field,
the following information is given
concerning the conditions upon
which subscriptions will be taken,
the nature of the improvements to
to be made, and the benefits to be
derived thereirom.
Some years ago congress took up
the consideration of the construc-
tion of the canal around the three
rapids lying from three to twelve
miles above The Dalles. in the
Columbia river, which constituted
the only obstacles to navigability
between Pittsburg landing on the
Snake river and the sea. Several
appropriations for the completion
Of this canal have been made by
congress, and the work is now in
process Of construction, contract
having been let for the clearing of
the obstacles at Three Mile rapids,
the first obstruction above The
Dalles, by June l, 1905. But the
completion of the canal-will require
q number of years, and unless
. some other temporary provision is
made, the entire country on the
Columbia river and the Snake river
above The Dalles must suffer from
inadequate transportation facilities
until the canal is completed.
In order to afford immediate re.
lief to the section OF the country
above The Dalles, the last Oregon
Legislature made an appropriation
of $165,OOO for the construction
and equipment for portage rail
road to receive freight and passen'
gers from boats on the river above
the Instructions and transfer then
to boats below the distractions, sc
giving the practical benefits of al
open river without waiting for the
completion Of the canal.
The amount so appropriated
proved inadelute for the compile
ton and equipment of the portag'
road, the cost of construction being
$40, 900 more than the sum pro
vided. The Open River Associa
ton of Oregon undertook to suppl,
this deficit by public subscription
among the several communities o
Oregon, Washington and Idaho
which will be benefited by the por
tage road, the communities in Ore
gon paying their subscriptions il
addition to the amounts paid b.
them as taxes to supply the none
appropriated by the state legisla
ture.
The solicitors for subscription
in the several communities are a.
most universally meeting with SUI
cess, and the completion OF th
road seems now assured. Th
: Clearwater country being onl
partially served by railroads, an
being further inland than any
the other territory affected, wi
derive more appreciable and dire
results from this Improvement tina
any other territory, and for tn
reason should contribute more will
:: ingly. II the subscriptions for Il
portage road can be prompt
raised, the Open River AssociatiO
assures the subscribers that til
road will be completed and in ope
alton in time for the Portland fa
in 1905, and the Clearwater countl
has never had, aud can never ha,
: 80 great an opportunity for the az
: vertisement of its wealth as th
now offered. With the completit
of the road the Clearwater count
will have q navigable water conr
to the sea which cannot be co
{ trolled by any corporation.
{ The people OF this section Ia
s year erected q steamboat, b
! Mountain Gem, at cost of $32, o.
: and this boat is now in operatiO
within circumsclibed limits,
- the upper Snake river. With Il
opening Of the portage road it "
\ be available for service on =
3 whole course Of the river, and t
z coet of construction OF steambos
3 is 40 small that it will be impos
3 BILE for the people to be deprived
z the benefits of the open river
3 any combinations or monopolies
q boat service.
& Since the appropriation abo
3 referred to was made by the leg
3 lature of the state OF Oregon, s