The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-08-19
CUESSES ABOUT TAE|
IRVING FILL
TWO LEADING THEORIES ARE
ADVANCED TO EXPLAIN
+, FREAKY BIT OF GROUND
THAT CAUSES TROUBLE.


teenth street and each is more or
less plausible II is difficult to set a
definite idea Of the trouble there
without personal inspection, The
spot that cantankerouSly sinks and
"boils' around is not very big one
II starts right in the middle OF the
road however, and on it--or rather
into it--hundreds OF loads OF earth
have been placed with no other effect
tan to leave the spot virtually as it
was in the beginning.
OF course all the earth that goes
into that sinking bit OF ground must
go somewhere. 1t either simply goes
into some big subterranean hole and
stays there, or else into some narrow
and moist subterraneon channels that
carry it away. perhaps into the river
One theory is that the wagon loads
OF loose earth drop down until they
meet the surface OF the soapstone,
which at this point has a rapid slope
into the river IL then may be pre-
sumed that for ages the waters from
the hill have worn channels along on
top OF the soapstone, leaving a space
between the soapstone and the
stratum OF earth Immediately above
it. II then. there is water moving
there now. it might possibly carry the
loose earth that is dumped in along
with it-down the slope and into the
river, perhaps far ont into the river
This theory is very plausible one
1t, however, lacks confirmation, and
those who oppose it point out that ii
the earth were carried down to the
river that it would be seen there, To
them the fact that the dirt is not seen
appearing at the river front is taken
as a conclusive fact that this theory
is not the true one.
Nevertheless, in another place
along the river front this is just what
happened The earth was carried
along the soapstone, down the slope,
the opening being beneath the water.
Since this happened in another place
it may be happening here; if so, it is
probable that inspection would show
the river to be dscolored in front of
the place by the dirt.
Another theory is that there is
simply a big hole under the freaky |
surface spot. This hole, according to
this theory, having been formed by |
the erosion OF the subterraneon chan
nels. Then the numerous loads Of
dirt dumped there simply fall down
into this hole, and because OF the |
constant presence OF some water, the |
whole mass has been permeated by |
the water and is now simply mass |
Of mud This theory is plausible, in
deed, and would explain the fact that
the earth beneath the place seems to
boil, to turn on itself, just as
mass OF muddy earth would if pres
sure were applied to it from above.
But this theory does not account for
the fact that if there had been big
hole there underground, why the
earth above it didn't simply cave in
and fiji the hole up. Also, by this
lime the hole should be full.
South of the place in question are
surface indications Of good sized
ponds, now dry, which have no ma
ural outlet above ground.
These ponds must collect enormous
Quantities of water during the rainy
seasons, and all the water that comes
nto them apparently must find an
outlet-and a fairly rapid one-under-
ground. That is the one proven i'm
,ortant fact of the whole matter.
Besides this there may be other
channels that touch up
N the freaky place which come from
,ther point, some even long dist
noes away.
Either theory then finds further
lausibility by this one important
act City Engineer Tee suggested
o the common council that it would
e good plan to tap the hillside, to
1T out any water therein and that
GEMS to be suggestion of much
,orth. Cutting sluice ways into the
illside should, at least, probably dis
over the trouble and permit means 4
f preventing it in the future. +
DR.. Henderson, who impressed on !,
le council at its meeting Monday
ight the utmost gravity Of the, situa
on, further urged as the only prac-
cal solution of the matter that the T
eaky spot be abandoned and the ic
ght way Immediately south of it +