Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1907-02-04

The correct history OF Major Abbotts
connection with the building Of railroads
TO Grays lIarhor, ETC., since 1900 is as
follows:
A railroad lobby was desired in con.
gress to help get appropriations for the
harbor waterway, and in order to get an
effective one. it was concluded to write,
in 1900, TO every transcontinenial rail.
road company showing the advantages
Of this waterway over all others-being
about three hundred miles nearer the
Orient, etc than the Sound and Column
bia river cites-along the Northern Pa
cfic coast of the states above San Fran
cisco, and especially in Washington.
His letter was an enticinE one in every
way. He stated it was matter of sur
prise to him, as the waterway could be
improved for deep water chipping for
abort 100000, that some Of the rail-
way companies had not applied to the
government to have it done. that this
community had done 80, that he was
helping it all he consistently could as
citizen of the place, but ut that time un-
known TO it, and asked the companies il
at any futuae time they expected to
build here, and especially II the water
way should be improved. Some Of the
roads were noncommital or undecided
what they would do, but two eaid they
might come should there be a good pro--
lect Of getting deep water shipping, and
two others eaid they might consider
building in later without any stipulation
other tn; II if it was warranted; and sew
eral expressed a willingness to do what
they could to help get appropriations
through congress to improve the water.
way. The U. 7 Ry. Co. was the first
one written to, and its reply was go ia
vorabe it vas concluded to write TO
Others a. once, including all project d
roads, which has teen kept up as fast as
new ones were mentioned in the press,
for if it accomplished nothing more than
TO let them know we were working to
improve our waterway and to fix their
attention on this point, great deal
would be accomplished, even if they did
not join the railway lobby. In short,
plan Was conceived Of making rail trans
portation promote water transportation
and vice versa; j. e. when money was
wanted from the government TO improve
our waterway it conld be stated what
railroads We're already here, what were
bnilding, and how many contemplated
building here in the future; and in So
Letting railroads to build here it could
: stated what had been expended on
the waterway, its condition, what wond
probably be asked for and very likely
gotten at coming session of congress,
etc. The plan worked finely, and now
We are beginning to reap the benefits Of
having kept the railroad companies
posted on what We were doing, and GET
t.inly it has done no harm. All letters
received were mostly frank and encoui-
aging like the following extract OF be-
lated one recently received, which is as
follows:
81 beg to own receipt of your letter of
the 26th OF January, informing me of the
favorable action by congress on the APP
preparation for the improvement OF
Grays ilarbor. We are greatly interest
ed in this measure, have been watching
its progress and will be glad to lend our
best assistance" 1t can not be stated
from whom this letter was received, as it
would be breaking confidence with the
company and writer.
1t may be of interest to some to know
what brought Major Abbott here now.
l. was the following extract from letter
OF 5. X. Bowes, president Of your Cham
Der OF Commerce, to him, dated July Is,
1905, and as MIR. Bowes should have
credit TOR being a factor in getting the
present appropriation for 1887 900 for The
harbor waterway, his letter will be Of in
terest to many locally. 1t is as follows:
81 cannot pass your letter to the files
without thanking you for it and also to
commend you for the expressions con-
tanned therein.
"knowiug now Of your interest in this
section, | will call your attention to the
fact that before we can ever hope to reap
the benefit OF our vast natural resources
and build city here we must have a
jetty on the north side of Grays Harbor
bar and the south jetty must be ex.
tended.
"Mr. Burton, OF the rivers and harbors |
committee, when here made the state
ment: "A ietty on both sides and the
full improvement might make the ad-
vance in the price OF timber lands OF
dollar or SO, but would be Of no particu.