East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-09-11


The many preliminary surveys
made by the Northern Pacific within
the last year on the peninsula have
covered every foot of ground offered
as a solution to the problem on the
most economical entrance for the
Northern Pacific into Portland, with
Il crossing over the willamette river
as the main obstacle to be overcome.
Five surveys were made In the vicin-
ity of st. Johns for a high bridge and
a drawbridge route. Then these
were set aside. and route was sur
veyed with a view to tunneling Fow-
Ter avenue, in University Park and
emerging on the Willamette river
bank opposite Swan island. From
that point two ways were open-to
bridge the river or to effect a juno
ton there with the st. Johns line Of
the o. r. & N. and come over the
steel bridge to the Union station and
the new terminal grounds the compa-
ny has acquired, with the Weidler
tract as a nucleus
Tie company forseas the successful
termination of the governments plan
for deepening the ship channel
through the Columbia river bar and
when this is accomplished Portland
is certain to become the greatest sea-
port on the Pacific coast.
Easy Haul Commands Situation.
When this comes to pass the rail-
road that has the easiest haul be-
tween Portland and the east will
command the traffic situation from
an operating standpoint. The north
bank line, the Columbia river and
Willamette bridges and the new ter
mnal grounds and ocean docks in
Portland are the main features In
the Northern Pacific's plan. which is
to be worked out as fast as future
Developments will permit.
That the Northern Pacific realizes
the importance of rapid action is APP
parent. II is said work is to be com
menced Immediately. Every week of
delay In beginning actual construc-
ton gives the rival company its re-
ward, for every week lost by the one
is so much longer supremacy in the
Columbia river basin for the other
and more firmly entrenches it in pos
session of the field.
With the advent of the Portland &
Seattle Railroad company in the field
the last halting place has been pass
ed. There is no longer room for
doubt that the beginning of construc-
ton work is at hand.
This Means Speedy Work.
Yesterday Constructing Engineer
Bethel, of the Columbia Railroad &
Navigation company-the Northern
Pacific concern-leased rooms at
Vancouver, where he will establish
permanent headquarters. These
rooms will, It is said, be used until
the entire floor OF another building,
leased by the company for long
term. can be fitted up. Work has
been commenced on the remodeling
of the latter building. An engineer
In the employ OF the same company
has leased the gasoline launch Mist,
owned by Vancouver men, for the
coming winter, to be used in recon-
noisance work In connection with the
proposed bridge, and at points along
the north bank where the right OF
way forces of the Portland & Seattle
are at work.
In the last week several grading
outfits have been put into the field.
1t is believed grade stakes will be set
during the coming week.
The Battle for Right Of Way.
The wallula Pacific, its avowed
enemy, has not been idle since its
few weeks ago. An
ample appropriation of funds from
New York has been placed at the
of its officers, and surveyors
have been rushing preliminary sur
the north bank of the river.
The battle opens on the section be-
tween Vancouver and Lyle, where no
at this time has a right of
way, and the field is open to the RI
walls, on an equal basis. The prelim-
mary campaign will be a strategic
fought by men of brains
and business training.
Next Tuesday the Wallula Pacific
will send Senator Il. M. Rands and
James p. Stapleton, incorporators, in
to the field, to secure rights of way.
No chances will be taken on options
or bonds for deeds. The lands will
be bought outright and deeds will be
recorded as fast as they are secured.
Senator Rands Is a veteran in this
sort of work. He was for years iden-
titled with the right OF way depart
ment of the o. r. & N. company,
which has done considerable prelm-
mary work along the north bank of
the Columbia river.
o. II. & N. Is n Richmond.
1t has long feared the trouble that
has now eliminated. Some years
ago, when an effort was made to
build a north branch line by an in
dependent concern, the o. II. & N.
awakened to the fact that such a pro-
Iect threatened It's entire line of traf-
fic Notifications in the Pacific north
west. The failure of the independ-
nnt company was followed promptly
by requirement of its tracks and
by the o. r. & N. compa-
ny, which owns n graded and partly
rallied line of road from The Dalles
to Lyle. 1t is known that recently
the o. r. & N. secretly carried on
work between Vancouver
and Cape Horn.
Every indication points to a fierce
and long-protracted struggle. but
there is no one who doubts that ul-
the Northern Pacific forces
will gain what they are going nfter.