Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-12-03
FARMERS GWEN
HIGHER PRICES
Open River Has Proven a
Benefit to the Wheat
Growers

Captain Frank Smith, trafiic mama
ger of the Open River Transportation
commission, has issued statement
with reference to the suspension Of
operation of boats on the upper river.
Operation OF the Open River Trans
portation company's steamers on the
upper Columbia river has ceased for
the season for number of reasons"
he said. Much work has been done
in moving wheat down the river and
merchandise up. Owing to the delay
in constructing the steamer Relief and
securing the Mountain Gem, large
quantities Of wheat that could have
been moved by the water route were
not secured for the reason that ar
rangements are made early In tn sea-
son for sheltering 1t from the elements
and hauling 1t to water points.
Work of Last Few Months. n
For over 80 years the upper river
has not been in use and there were no
facilities for storing and handling grain
along its banks. During the past two
months the sboats Of the Open River
Transportation company have carried
10000 sacks OF wheat, aggregating
1000 tons. During this period they
have distributed along the upper Co.
lumbia 500 tons Of merchandise. Three
hundred tons Of way freight has been
carried also.
"On grain for export saving has
been made OF from 80 to 40 cents per
ton. Wheat has brought higher price
per bushel on the bank OF the river
than at points the same distance from
the market that had no river competi-
tion. On merchandise the consumer
has saved from 80 to 80 per cent on all
freight received BY the water line.
The company has demonstrated fully
that the river is nayigable at an sea-
sons OF the year from Cello 10 Priest
Rapids, 27O miles above Portland.
New Towns Spring W.
Without aid from the government
in blasting out obstructions IN the
many rapids loaded brages have been
towed over every one OF them from
Cello to Aainsworth. Many small VIII
lagos have been built on the river At
,,ri,,t. 5x,,t,a~o ,.<.,de awe fsotnU fsatYf
Among the number are Columbus, En-
glenook. Fountain CITY, Roosevelt, AL
derdale, Carley, Plymouth, Expansion,
Alfalfa. Hover, Richland and Julia, All.
with the exception OF Columbus, hav
ing been built since the agitation tor
an open river. Columbus sprang from
a deserted town OF empty houses.
built in the early days Of steamboat
ing. to q commercial center.
Unused land that has been In pas-
ture for years Is now being farlned
since boats have given the producer
means Of transportation. All this will
swell the volume of business when
transportation Is resumed In the
spring.
Coal Supply Short.
The company has met with many
handicaps during the season, Coal u
the only fuel that has been used IN
that portion Of the country TOR many
years and the boats were lifted Tor
that kind Of fuel In the early part ot
the season coal could be purchased fos,
$4.25 per ton. The price of coal was
raised until the last car delivered -
Cello cost s12 per ton. Even 1t this
price Il was next to impossible to ~
cure it or to secure cars to haul ii
when needed. Next season The boats
will be supplied with oil plants
I"At the Portland end OF the route
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