The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-09-16

that lay everywhere abroad and az soon
an the train was again In the grounds
Of the fort. they took charge Of the
party and showed them everything, in
detail, from the stately batteries and
mortars on the surface, to the coming
rooms and magazines far beneath the
grounds; explaining everything In sim
pie and convincing terms that anyone
hinted desire for information about;
ali Of which was a revelation to those
who, looking for the first time upon
the innocent and unsuggestiye hills
that flank the bay and ocean at that
point, undreaming Of the superb and
potent forces hidden there, made the
most Of. with due appreciation Of the
opportunity at nand, all OF
which was gratefully acknowledged as
they left for the train.
The converted express was then
switched down the line to the main
pier at Fort Stevens, where the hand
some steamer OF the engineering de-
partment, the Arago, under command
Of Captain Buchanan, lay in waiting
for the party. At this point and hour
f4:I0 p. m.j, the fareweIs were said
and all hands went abroad the Arago
with the conviction that the day had
been happily and profitably spent, and
in whirling exchange Of good wishes
and good byes, the steamer swung out
into the stream and headed for As
toria. Thirty-fye minutes later she
was alongside the Flavel pier in this
city, and the party disembarked, and,
under the guidance of Chairman Van
Dusen made a bee-line for the Hotel
Occident. where they were Joined by
Secretary Charles X. Higgins, of the
Astoria chamber OF commerce. and sew
eral other citizens, and turned over to
the tender mercies OF ''Uncle Charley"
Wright.
That genial host led the throng to
the dining room and in a jiffy all were
seated at the big ''T' shaped tables,
where forty covers awaited, and DIM
ner was soon under way, the jolly
sounds Of table furniture ming
ling happily with the incessant and
sparkling conversation raging on all
sides, and attuned to the pleasant re-
hearsal OF the days doings. After the
meal had progressed to a point where
a safe intrusion might be made, Z. s.
Senator Fulton arose and in brief and
cordial terms introduced Hon. Joseph
Il Ransdell, Of Louisiana, as the guest
of the state and the day. who had
something to say in relation to the trip
and its great purpose.
Mr.. Ransdell rose amid a rattle OF
hand clapping and calls for a speech
and at its subsistence. said in part;
"Gentlemen of Astoria: | am pro-
foundly grateful for the opportunities
this day has afforded me for meeting
YOU and familiarizing myself with your
want. The time presses too
hard to permit me to indulge in a
lengthy review of the great engineer
inc problem that confronts you at the
mouth of your noble river, but may
assure YOU / have due appreciation OF
your great and immediate needs in tins
relation; and I beg to say that II l
was never converted before to the i'm
mense and urgent requirements OF the
robmbia river and its bar. / am thor
ouchly convinced. since my visit The
Dalles few days ago, and the ex-
cursion Of today; and to sum up the
most that I might say under more ad-
yantageous circumstances, leave the
assurance with you that in me you
have from this time forth a devoted
friend in the Congress of the United
States. thank you again for the
excellent things. and abundant courte-
sizes that have fallen to me today at
your hands,"
Congressman W. L. Jones of Wash
ineton was then hailed to the fioor
md smoke briefly in the following
terms;
"Gentlemen: I, too, have to thank
vou sincerely for a pleasant and profit
,ble day. I am sincerely glad to have
met the people of Astoria; glad to
have been able to visit the great bar
IT the mouth of the Columbia; you
,now your wants infinitely better than
do. but know them better today
han I ever did before; | shall 40
| can to open your bar, with
lue consideration for other and equal
y important interests. | thank you
,oain, and wish you good-by."
AS the Washington statesman TOOK
Ms seat, President Hoge of the Port
and chamber Of commerce, arose and
,aye full expression to his sense OF
of the warm and cordial
accorded the guests OF that
,ity and organization by the Astoria
,hamber and the citizens here, and ut
cred the hope that the day and its
ssue might lead to the consummatlon
,f the glanest project possible for the
state Of Oregon and the Northwest
AT this point "Jimmy," the occi-
lent's indispensable and popular por-
er, thrust his head in the dining room
loor and announced the "bus for the
1 7, : Il