Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-02-01

several years anu pOSHiDiS "N'~f
secure action by the federal govern
ment alone. The war department
has adopted the policy OF aiding
states in construction OF works Oh
this kind that are entirely within
the boundaries Of a state, where the
state had shown a disposition 70
lhelp itself. and whatever was done
by the state now would strengthen
the case before congress, and would
aid the delegation In Washington,
who we're going 10 unite all their ef-
forts TO bring about this great Inn
provement and step toward making
the Willamette free and open to the
commerce OF Western Oregon.
Far Reaching Effect.
Col Hofer showed that the effect
OF FIRE clocks was not confined TO the
merchandise and products OF the
Willamette valley. but freights to
and from the head of the river we're
affected thereby. Shipments former
ly came up and down the Willamette
river via Corvallis and went on up
and down the Columbia as far as
Lewiston, Idaho. Open rivers meant
the only competitive influence and
real regulation OF rates.
Alex. LaFollette. a farmer mem
ber OF the Open River Association,
..... t.f..u tta .uu,,nfftaa aud
showed that in 20 years he had paid
over $500 lockage charges on his
farm products. He was but one of
ten thousand farmers IN Western Or
egon who paid this tax on their pro-
ducts. Every freight train that
passed up and down the valley had
among It's charges from 500 to $500
for lockage charges added to the
freight rates on account Of the river
not being a free and unobstructed
highway.
n. ID. Thielsen, president of the
Salem Chamber OF Commerce. was
present and Invited to address the
committee. lie said that IL was not
so much n question OF the abolition
OF tolls entirely. but n question Of
transportation and rates, that II cost
four cents per ton through the locks
and on the railroads y TO / cent,
that II became question OF the rail-
roads forcing the river transporta-
tion rates down TO theirs. He also
wanted TO see the new locks built.
and favored the proposition as agreed
upon.
Representative Huntley. OF Oregon
city. favored the compromise. and
was willing 10 vote on the bill with
a 100000 from tho national and
state governments. II Il would ac-
compllsh an early result.
Representative Barrett, OF Umatll-
la county. said that while the locks
would not benefit the people OF East
ern Oregon to any great extent stil
he was willing 10 support a measure
that meant prosperity for the state
a. whole, lie said he would like
10 see the states of Washington.
Idaho aud oregon set together aud
develop the waterways OF the states.
which would be- a great benefit to all
of them.
Es-Governor Gcor said all Eastern
orcEon favored tree locks. lie ia
tored expenditure by the state OF
hundreds 0f thousands OF dollars for
ihe opening of tho Columbia rivor
snd Noaid support this one lIe said
f uas noi moncy wasted, that "a
uuaif come back Into the peoples
forkets. four or n,o times doubled.
Representative Kuhu "a ranehor
from Paradise valley. said that. while
the people OF Southern Oregon.
would not be directly benefited. yet
he was willing TO support the bill on
the lines suggested
Representative Baton. of the ways
aud means committee. said Lane
county was intensely Interested Ia an
open river. lie was opposed to the
state being asked 10 put up such a
iarge amount. aud favored t2O0. 600.
the national government to be asked
Tor 100000. and the time 10 cover
a period of siX years Mr. Jones OBJ.
iccted Go this ON the grounds that Il
put on TOO Ions the work might be
delayed and he wanted the present
state representatives al Washington
TO Ect the matter la shape for imme-
diate action. Mr Eaton consented TO
this. and made the report OF the com.
mitiee unanimous The bin will be
reported In time for early action next
weak