Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-11-03
BAY
WILL BE
RECOGNIZED
In SPITE of Efforts to Absorb
All Appropriations on
the Columbia
tFrom the Marsbdeld News.)

bay one Of the leading harbors on the
Pacific coast Heretofore, when advo-
eating our claims, pointing out condi-
tions as they existed, and showing
whst could be accomplished in the way
Of bar and harbor improvement with
but a comparatively small expenditure
by the government, we were practio.
ally alone. Coos county was hardly
recognized by any other portion Of
the state. and there few to say a good
word for us, or urge our claims In
Congress The great Willamette val.
ley was satisfied with Portland as
shipping point, and the other valleys
In Oregon, not adjacent TO any Of the
coast ports seemed content with their
means Of transportation. Numbers Of
the residents Of the interior never
heard Of Coos bay, and others who had
heard Of this port were misinformed
az to the true conditions that existed.
To all intents and purposes We have
been a portion Of California and would
have been much better or today II the
line Of the Golden State had embraced
us within its circle. Tho California
people stand by their harbors loyallyj
liberal appropriations were secured to-
improve them, and no port was dis
criminatcd against Tor the purpose Of
boosting any particular outlet to tho
sea. Coos bay, n portion Of Call.
fornia, would have been recognized
years ago. and would have taken tho
place 10 which Il is justly entitled,
AZ ono Of tho leading shipping ports
Of tho coast.
Unfortunately, however. our lot was
cast with Oregon. We belonged 70 a
state which seemed 20 think that ono
seaport was enough, and appropFia,
lions were doled out 10 us at such In.
tervals that Il took about half Of each
10 make good tho raw.
ages Of the torpedo aud elements, com
mitted since tho prior allotment had
been expended. Tho wealth, tho pop,
ulaiion, and Of course tho votes, were
In tho northern portion OF tho state,
and all tho influence that each could
bring 10 bear was used 20 further the
interests OF tho Columbia river, 20 tho
detFiment OF other shipping points on
the sea coast of Oregon. The Colum.
bla wanted millions II other ports
In tho state were recognized 20 any
extent IL was feared that the total sum
granted Oregon would be regarded as
ioo large by Congress, aud would prob
Congress and tho amounts appFopFiat
lion being cut down. therefore, We
were only occasionally recognized by
Congress, and he amounts appropriate
"a were not sufficient for permanent
Now there is change Of sentiment,
Is for as south'Fn Oregon is concern
sd The people q that section have
begun to realize that their best inter
'sts would be subseFyed by having a
iaTboT az Coos bay, where the largest |
ships could be loaded for foreign ports. |
they are taking an active interest in
.he matter, and influential papers
ike the Salem Journal are lending ala |
md encouragement 20 the friends of |
.he bay who are striving for reeogni-
ion Of It's claims. Senator Fulton,
while paying rs a friendly visit last
week, was surprised az the showing
made by this port, considering what
comparatively little assistance it has
received, He was given an opportu-
lity to view existing conditions at the
BAR, and readily grasped the fact that
he government had an opportunity /
lere to open great deep sea port for
, trihing expenditure. Our bar is
,hOTt-at the worst season of the
Tear the shoalest part is less than 500
'eet long-and with the water from
"A square miles OF tidal area TO use for
occurring purposes, ii was very evident
o the senator that a depth Of 40 feet
( necessary, could be easily obtained,
With a part Of the north ietty built, an
.verage depth Of from % to "a feet,
N the shoalest portion, Of the bar, at
Ow tide, was attained, and the com
letting of the jetty and the combining
+ the outflow, or securing force, of
he water would give US sufficient
epth for any ship ahOat
AS we said in a previous article,
Owever, we cannot expect much as
istanee from the engineer department
ntn the inside harbOr has been dredg-
a to accommodate larger ships. Sen
tor Fulton is aware of this fact, and
rOmised to use his influence In So