The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1907-11-01
Commercial Club Excursion

The kenneWlck Commercial Club
o,cursion last Saturday to Priest
Rapids and intermediate points was
an enjoyable affair. The weather
vas ideal. Thirty-two members of
the club went aboard for the. excur-
non and those not members of the
club together with the regular pass
engers made party of 55 or 60.
The "Gem" first stopped at Pasco
where several passengers including
nr Blalock of Walla Walla were
taken aboard.
The Steamer made all the regular
etops on the schedule and reached
Priest Rapids at 7 Saturday evening.
After supper the Club held meet
ine in the Gems Cabin and the
ouestions regarding the Open River
we're discussed. DR.. Blalock made
an extempore speech explaining
that an expert examination of the
staemer Norma showed that she
VAS in an unseaworthy condition
and to purchase was wholly unad-
visable. DR.. Blalock said it was be-
ing planned now to increase the cap
ital stock of the Open River Associa-
ton to 100000 and build a new
hat for the river above Cello. The
cty of Portland would raise $780,
600 and DR.. Blalock and perhaps
another representative of the Assoc
ntion would endeavor to raise the re-
mainder by thorough canvass Of
the Palouse cities, Spokane and
lewiston. He considered that Ken
newick had done enough in the
amount the Club had secured and
would not probably be called on a.
ain. Presidnt Geo. F. Richardson,
Don F. Cresswell, chairman of the
Board of County Commissioners,
Edward Shepphard and Mayor L. E.
Johnson also discussed different
phases of the Open River question.
On Sunday morning the party in
Inspected the work being done on
the Hanford Irrigation & Power Co.'S
power canal. All those who saw
the works for the first time were
surprised at the vast amount of work
that has already been done. Two
ssam shovels and outfits of cars and
dinkey engines were at work and also
anoutft operating steam rock drills.
About three-fourths of a mile of the
canal is already excavated. The
boat left Priest Rapids at 10: 80 and
stopped first at Coyote Rapids where
the pumping plant for the Hanford
Irrigation system will be installed
and much of the material is already
on the ground.
The next stop was made at White
Bluffs where the gas producer engine
vas already operating the pumps
throwing full stream of water into
the canals and laterals that irrigate
the White Bluffs Irrigation Co.'S
lands. The new hotel at White
Bluffs is practically completed and
Is probably the second best hotel in
Benton county. Twelve or fifteen
substantial buildings are up and the
Young town presents a fine appear
ance. Stops were made at all the
landings, but the next landing
for any length Of time was
at Hanford where the party dis
embarked and took in the town.
The new hotel there is completed
and open to the public and created
much favorable comment. The
party had every courtesy extended
70 them at every point on the trip
and all are especially complimentary
IN speaking of the fine treatment
Hhey received from the officers and
crew Of the Mountain Gem, who did
everything in their power to make
the trip pleasant Everybody had
agood time and everyone was i'm
pressed with the large scope of
country being opened up which is
tributary to Kennewick and the
Work of Development was much
nrther advanced than most of the
Visitors had anticipated.
TEACHER'S EXAMINATION