Lewiston inter-state news. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1905-1906, 1905-04-21
PORTAGE ROAD
WILL Benefit
Governor Chamberlain of Oregon
SAYS Freight Rates will be
Lower

Portland, ApTu XVI ne IuFtlanO
Telegram says:
That the state portage railroad at
Cello Falls will prove of lasting ben
eft to the farmers and stockgrowers
~ the inland empire, whether it is
onerated. is the opinion Of Governor
chamberlain. Completion of the road
and it's turning over to the common
wealth in readiness for handling the
traffic between the Upper and Lower
columbia. will be the signal for re
duction of freight rates of rail lines
reaching the interior.
lust as ocean rates on freight control
the adjustment of tariffs between the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts, even on
classes of traffic that could not be
economically or satisfactorily handled
by water if ships We're engaged regu-
larly between the various ports. SO will
the existence of an open river compel
lower rates because the means will be
at hand for transporting freight by
water, even should the opportunity not
be utilized. Necessity of supplying
boats for the upper river has not yet
been met by provision for sufficient
necessary boats, but there is little
doubt suitable steamers will be provid-
ed. and Governor Chamberlain thinks
il is probable that interested persons
of the interior will themselves take the
responsibility of placing such a line
in service.
There now seems to be no reason
why the portage railroad will not be
completed on May Is, the date when
ii was expected the road will be turn
ed over to the commission ready for
operation," said Governor Chamber
lain 1T is impossible to tell yet the
exact cost. but it will be completed at
a cost Of $165,0O0 to the citizens of
, Oregon, the amount appropriated for
the purpose. 1t will cost considerably
more than the appropriation, but i do
not know the, exact amount, the diff
ference being made up by the Open
River association. and there will be no
obligation against the state other than
the amount already provided.
Eastern Oregon, eastern Washing
ton and northern Idaho will be greatly
benefited by building of the portage
road. The natural direction for COM
merce of that section of the country is
down the Columbia river to Portland
and completion of the road will open
the great river and it's upper naviga-
bic tributaries to traffic for the future.
"One of the first benefits to be de-
rived from tinY1 nf the road Will
be reduced freight rates from all points
along the Columbia river east of The
Dalles and along the Snake river. The
portage road will act as regulator
of freight rates. even If it should not
be used directly for the carriage OF
freight. That was the effect of con-
structing the portage road around the
doubt that the same result will fol-
low the construction OF a portage road
around the falls at Cello.
People interested in securing re-
duced freight rates ought to begin nov
to make arrangements for building
boats on the upper river. No individ'
ual will probably feel like entering into
competition with transportation com
panes. but those interested in cerea
production. as we'll as those interested
in livestock. could well afford to raise
money and construct the necessar!
boats for the upper river. Such boats
would unquestiopably command con
siderable business, reaching certain 10
ealities along the stream that coult
be more conveniently and better serv
ed by the craft than by railroads
though economy in handling the freigh
onered for movement, but the presence
of the boats and their ability to handl
tonnage would be the effective mean
Of compelling granting of lower rate
by the railroads.
From Information received ! hav
every reason to believe that in du
time steps will be taken by the peopl
or the interior to put on a line o
steamers. Those Interested have eNlnc
ed their interest and confidence in tn
success of the enterprise in most snp
stantial manner. and they will not sto
snort of accomplishment of the benefit
Tor which it has been intended and
certain to confer
think the road will he complete
oF the middle of May. as has been ex
peeted since the contract for the build
ing was awarded. Work has been an
Is now progressing nicely, and tn
weather has been propitious during IN
While period of construction. Every
uhlng is being done on a substantii
oasis that will make the road perman
eht and serviceable for its require
ments as long as required, i 'thlni
equipment win be good and of char
aeter to give most satisfactory servic
Just as soon as completed and de
i'ery is made to the state the road WI
0e ready for operation. There will,