The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-10-17
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= THE WEATHER.
Oregon. Washington. Idaho-Fair.
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THE COLUMBIA BASIN.

This seems to be the year for the
launching Of the real destiny OF the
Columbia Basin, from the upper navi-
gable reaches Of the mighty river to its
mouth. More has been done to exploit
the great water-course in 1907, in a
peculiarly commercial way, than has
ever been done before. And the drift Of
potent appropriation Of its resources IS
mot confined to its unhampered channels,
but is now directed to its enormous bar
riers. known as the Cascades Of the
Columbia, from which the incalculable
power that has run to waste for thou
sands Of years il to be hedged and har.
messed for the good Of man and Tor an
time to come.
Another fine railway system has been
laid along the north margin of the river,
for every available and potential mile
and acre tributary to it. and the lower
reaches, already equipped in this wise,
are to be merged into long, continuous
and profitable scheme Of transportation,
that win find its foreign establishment
ready at hand, in the magnificent har-
Dor fronting this city.
These great steps in the up-lift OF a
long-neglected commercial field, are but
the primary overtures to fortune, and
viii be followed. steadily, and logically
by Others of relative Importance and as
sured purpose; until, in the near future,
eyery accessible and useable port. point
and possibility on, and next to. the river
line, viii be swung into the immense and
feasible plan Of development; and the
marvel Of the century will be not 50
much the extraordinary scope OF that
development, as that is was never at
tempted before. just as men have won
dered during the barren years Of the
past, that no man had wrought upon the
possibilities of this great area; so VIII
they harp on the unconscionable loss OF
time and opportunity. But this Will
weigh as nothing in the vast realm OF
new energies well directed, and splendid
profits well conserved. The scale Of un-
foldment in sight today upon the most
prudent and wholesome estimate. Is
almost incalcnlable, and as each sue
ceeding phase Hof disclosure and growth
is uncovered, there will be hundreds OF
correlatiye projects laid bare, and their
thousands of reciprocal opportunities
brought into play. until the northwest
shall TEEN still richer with the good
things of life and life's work.
That there is room for all the rail-
roads, industries and businesses OF the
day in this vast field, but adds to the
certainly of their coming, and empha-
sizes the urgency and utility Of such
investment; nor will the call be long
denied. Barring financial panic and
stress, there is no reason why this sec
tion Of the country should not be, for
years to come, the most favored in the
land.
We confess we are encouraged by the
turn things are taking here, and we
know that Astoria cannot go ahead un-
less it be upon the predicate Of adyant-
age to the whole Columbia Valley; and
we much prefer that this should be 50,
because the leverage Of success will be
infinitely greater than if it were con-
fined to any restricted limit of territory,
people, or interest. It's Oregon, as
well as Astoria, with us.