The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-01-15

ABOUT an open river from its navigab bic
sources to the sea.
Our harbors should not be allowed
to fall entirely under private control O,
to become the subjects of monopoly
The tide-lands were a generous neri.
tage, the proceeds of sales of which
should have been treated as a trus,
for public improvements. The use OF
the funds derived from the sale and
lease of these lands for the ordinary
expenses of government would seem
unwise. The growth and development
of our shipping affects, and is a matter
of concern, to the whole state, and
these funds should be conserved and
devoted to the improvement of our
harbOrs. l renew my recommendation
for the creation of a commission made
up of representative citizens, serve
without remuneration except for nee
essary expenses, to suggest legisla-
tive action in this benlf
Perhaps nothing so influences the de-
velopment of a growing country as its
means and methods of transportation
and the condition of its thorough
fares. While we are providing gem
erously for state highways, We should
not lose sight of the fact that the
state is traversed by great rivers wnic
offer a serious obstruction to travei
by land. To bridge these would i'm
pose an expense upon the immediate
localities which they are not able and
should not be called upon to bear
Neither is it fair to the travelling pub
lie that it should be called upon to
attorn to private concerns for the
privilege Of crossing them. The bridge
across the Snake river connecting
Charleston with Lewiston, Idaho, is the
converging center Of travel for a large
part Of the immigration coming into
Eastern Washington. During the past
year it was crossed by approximately
a quarter of million vehicles and foot
passengers, who were compelled to pay
generously for the privilege. Governor
GOoding, of Idaho, has recommended
the appointment of a committee from
both branches of the Idaho legislature
to meet. a like committee from this
state. / recommend that such a COM
mittee be appointed to meet with the
Idaho committee for investigation and
discussion and to report on the advis-
ability of cooperating with out sister
state in providing a public bridge at
this point.
Internal Affairs.
In accordance with the established
policy of inter-cOunty highways, 1t
would be we'll for the legislature to
take account of the natural barrier to
free traffic that is constituted by the
Columbia river. By private enter
prise assisted by liberal bonus raised
by the citizens of Wenatcnee. a bridge
is being constructed across this stream
at Wenatchee 10 serve the ever-in-
creasing demands. When completed,
this bridge, under present plans VIII
levy a toll upon all traffic. Toll bridg-
es and toll roads have no place in the
economy of a modern state. 1t is as
much the duty of the state to furnish
free traffic over the Columbia river as
it is to assist in the construction of
state highways over that other natural
barrier. the Cascade mountains. l re-
commend, therefore, that you take
steps to secure to the state the bridge
named, so that it may be operated free
for the people of the several counties it
will serve.
recommend that you provide for
making effective the legislation OF 1901
and 1903 regarding a state geologic,
Topographic and photographic survey
in cooperation with the United States
geological department, the sum APP
prorriated to be effective on the con-
dition that the federal authorities ex-
pend an equal amount.
The recent visitation Of high waters
in a few of the streams and rivers
of the state resulted in discomfort
TO the inhabitants in the flooded dis
tricts, great injury to property. and
a general Suspension Vi DuSlileSS AoA q
brief period A spirit of cooperation
among the sufferers from floods has re-
suited in the promotion of plans that
will be submitted for your approval
tending to forestall future losses in
districts liable to such disasters.
National Guard.
The national guard has progressed
steadily along the road to higher eff
ficiency as citizen soldiers. This fact
has been most thoroughly demonstrate
ed in the maneuver camps recently
held within the borders of our state,
which proved the ability of our men
to perform their duties in a manner as
efficient as those of the regular army.
Particularly have the officers OF the
national guard of Washington APP
reared to the best advantage most OF
them have served in their present ca
nacities a number of years, and a
great many are veterans of the Span
war. These officers in
+:,e maneuver camps were given COM
nand and assigned to duty along with
the officers of the regular establish
nent. and I am proud to say were, In
every instance, found capable and ef-