The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-19
|CHANCEFOR ASTORIA.
IN NEAR YEARS
VERY PLEASANT INTERVIEW WITH
CHEF ENGINEER A. A. scHENcg
or THE CHICAGO q NORTHWEST
ERN RAILWAY, YESTERDAY.

A. a. Sehenck, one Of the noted civil
engineers OF tlr country. and ut present
AZ the head of one of the great divisions
Of The Chicago Il Northwestern Rail-
way with headquarters at Omaha, Me-
braska, was IN the city, guest at the
Hotel 0ceident, all OF yesterday. He u
on what he styles one Of his "quadren-
niaP visits to Astoria where some years
ago he was 10 constant visitor on 10
be classed almost ~ citizen. He IL the
proprietor Of some choice acreage In the
Hood River country, and had some beau
tiful orchards underway there, and ex
presses very decided and kindly interest
In the broad development Of Oregon.
He has an abundant faith In the future
of Astoria and believes IL will one day
figure among the great ports Of the
hemisphewI but he IL conscious Of the
necessity for patience on the part Of the
people here, and thinks they have lots
10 do on their own account TO be In
prime readiness for the opportunities
that arc sure to present Themselves.
They must keep In touch with all
agencies likely TO contribute TO the cx-
pansion Of commerce here and hereabout,
and fall quickly into line with every
scheme that means anything TO the
coast.
Mr.. Schenck Is Of the opinion that
Ast0ria's day will come with the COM
pletion OF the Panama canal; that from
the moment the Horn commerce ID de-
heeted 10 that great cutoff. the superb,
close.range marine facilities Astoria win
BE- able TO offer. In comparison with
Portland or the Sound ports, will cut
an immense figure il the calculations Of
the great shippers from the Atlantic
seaboard, both In America and In Europe.
He says the trip around Cape Horn is
SO huge now. that the mere addition of
100 or 500 miles II but a hagatelle In
the business measurement Of the voyage
out and back, but when the Panama
canal shall have shortened the distance
down ten or twelve thousand miles, the
owners will begin to shave down all ex.
ira distances and ayoidable costs and
the time and towage and loss incident to
all such inland hauls as are obligatory
in the use OF Portland and Seattle will
be called or and the deep water cities
like Astoria will fall heir to the patron
age now denied by reason Of the inilu-
ences that prevail in those important
centers.
Mr.. Schenck Is Of the opinion that
Astoria should stop stringing out along
her big waterfront and begin to build
back on her elevated sites, and put in
lifting systems Of transportation that
win make the hills available, not only
for homes but for commerce, and lessen
the extraordinary cost OF maintenance in
an administrative sense. II would be
economy, and at the same time add ma
terially TO the appearance and general
attractiyeness Of the city. He deplores
the policy OF cutting down the hills and
declares that Astoria will yield one of
her chief claims to beauty if she does
not save her hills and establish quick
transit communications between the high
and low levels OF the city, as has been
done in hundreds of other cities like
Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, all
whose lofty sites are among the price
less properties of those places,
He remarks the steady progress Of the
city and is pleased with it and hopes |
to see an access when he shall come |
again as he is certain to do. Mr.. Schenck |
left last evening on the Portland express
for his Hood River farm and will 60 from
there to his professional desk at Omaha.