The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-12-05

Holt, the quarantine officer at this port,
and in response to the question as to
his side OF the controversy. he said
1T is a prime purpose OF mine, in my
present official capacity, TO expedite the
shipping OF the port, at all times and
under all circumstances and 1t is, OF
course, practically. an unwritten law OF
the service, that this shall be done.
But delays are bound to occur under
the present condition OF reporting YES
sells, and the peculiar local conditions in
eident to this port. As a fair example
OF the unreasonable position, | would
say that, yesterday morning there were
no vessels on the 5 o'clock report, and
owing to the dense fog, it was not sup |
posed any vessels would venture in
across the bay; however, as yesterday |
was the day for the quarantine steamer
to make her regular trip to the quaran'
tine station, as an extra precaution,
directed the captain OF the Electro to
proceed to the station by way OF the
quarantine boarding grounds, in order to
be sure there were no vessels there, in
the log, awaiting inspection. 1t was
then learned, Tor the first time, that
the Asuncion was in port; and the
Electro returning to the wharf, the cap
tain telephoned me. and l left the house
Immediately.
As is my custom | noted the time;
but, as with brisk walking, it takes me
Is minutes to get TO the wharf, and the
| Electro 90 minutes to 90 to the board
ing ground, | reached the Asuncion 80
minutes after she was reported to me-"
Yesterday the Astorian again called
on DR.. Holt for a statement regarding
the alleged dilatory tactics" and he
said that as long as the present method
OF reporting vessels was continued delays
could be expected. Il have recommended
| to the department said DR.. Holt, that
La lookout be stationed at Point Adams
Life Station and report be telephoned
to Astoria Immediately as vessel Is
sighted also that all vessels going out
be reported
The feasibility of this recommenda
ton is apparent when it is known that
the Point Adams Station is on the Ore
I, eon side of the river and since the
channel has been dredged out more yes
sells come through the south channel
than through the north, and the look
Tout at the Life Saving Station could
report Immediately vessel entered the
river. During the foggy weather the
North Head station cannot see vessel;
coming in, and Therefore 10 report i
made.
As to the statement that Fort Stevens
is nearer the quarantine grounds, tn
evident lacR OF knowledge, in thu
tplemises, of the persons who fatheret
the resolutions, is glaringly apparent a
the eastern boundary of the quarantin
station is at Smiths Point which i
within the western corporate limits o
the city OF Astoria.
DR.. Holt has endeayored, since assum
g ing the office at this port, to further il
:, every way the business which come
\ under his direction and along that lin
has recommended that the eastern lin
of the quarantine boarding grounds b
extended to allow vessels to come direct
/ " opposite Astoria. He has also recon
- mended that regular line boats carryin
passengers to and from the coast port
:. and who in most cases have their ow
physician or a master who is competer
as such be allowed to have inspectio
). made after sunset and up to nine o'cloc
IN at night.
In point OF fact no legitimate reasc
nv can be given why the quarantine hea'
is quarters should be moved, or WI
8. criticism should be made Of DR.. Ho
D. unless it be intended as slap at A
toria by a few disgruntled shippers
as merchants who from time to time
oil the past have endeavored to discredit Il
an city and its interests.
NJ. Regarding the delay in reporting We