The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-03-01

COMPANY CAN'T CHARGE TOLLS

dian knot that has practically tied the
hands of the Benton Water company in
it's efforts to pass through congress
bill permitting it to construct a lock
and dam at Five-Mile rapids on the
Snake river, was badly hacked last
night. when the river committee of the
Lewiston Commercial club wired Sem
ator Hepburn. who has been holding
this bill up, that the objections to It's
massage were removed, provided first
that the existing general navigation
act will protect navigation in this case
and second, that there shall be no toll
charged by the Benton company for the
passage of boats through the locks.
If Senator Hepburn, acting upon
this message, permits the act to be-
come a law it will mean that the
Benton company will construct
monster dam at Five Mile rapids that
will make slackwater back of it for
10 miles. 1t will also mean the de-
velopment of 100000 horse power for
the irrigation of 10000 acres of land.
The telegram sent to Senator Hey
| burn is as follows:
Telegram to Hepburn.
"Senator w. B. Hepburn, Washing
ton, D. c.:
Lewiston will withdraw objection to
Five Mile rapids project of Benton
Water company, if you are convinced
/ the navigation act will protect naviga-
ton at all points affected and protect
passage through locks free of toll for
all time: or, in event that it does not
so protect navigation and passage OF
locks free of toll for all time, objec-
ton will be withdrawn if the special
bill is so altered as to afford absolute
protection to navigation and to passage
through locks free of toll for all time.
Mr.. Amsbary Meets Club.
L. A. Amsbary of Kennewick. the
vice president of the Benton company
stated that his company had already
spent about $4,000 in making sound
ings, having plans prepared and II
general work looking to the construc-
ton of the dam at Five Mile rapids
For several days Mr. Amsbary has beer
in Lewiston comforting with members
of the Commercial club trying to get
them to withdraw their objections tt
the passage of the bill, which he be-
lieves is of such nature as not to be
y
advantage. Yesterday he ADDRESSED
the governing board of the club at its
weekly meeting.
The members of the club have beer
struction of the dam might be injurious
but upon the idea that they should
know more about the particulars anC
should also know whether the gen
eral navigation act passed by congress
last year was sufficient protection il
this instance.
Saturday night the local committee
wired to J. N. Teal president of the
Open River association of Portland
asking the advice of that organization
in the matter, but up to a late hour las
night no answer had been received. 1r
the meantime, however. Mr.. Amsbary
also got busy with the Western UniOr
and kept the wires to Portland work
ing directing his engineer, A. l.. Smitf
of Kennewick, who was in that city
to exhibit the plans for the proposed
work to the United States engineer il
that city, Lieutenant Colonel ROessler
Col. RoessIer Favorable.
At 6 o'clock last night he received
a message from Mr.. Smith statins
that Colonel Roessler had reported
favorably to the Commercial club o
Portland and armed with this tele
gram and one from Congressman w
L. Jones he went before the river com
} mittee of the Commercial club to make
his last request for the withdrawal O
it's objections to his bill.
The wire from Congressman Jones
stated that unless the Commercial
club withdrew its objection before TIL:
morning, the bill could not go through
, at this session of congress. and this
he told the committee, meant years
delay in the work of constructing The
, dam.
, The committee, after a conference
, lasting some time, at which the actor
of the governing board of the club il
. this matter was brought out that body
J having registered its approval of the
/ measure, provided the general act COW
cred the specific case. sent the tele-
gram above given, which will reach
! Senator Hepburn this morning ant
which will leave the matter in hi:
hands.
Dam Gigantic Affair.
! Mr.. Amsbary further stated that i
the bill passed congress his company
would start the erection of the lock ant
dam at once. Their company is in.