The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-11-13
New Road Comma
Says SChiffner

That the North Coast is actively en-
gagged in construction work is con-
f1rmed by J. j. Schffner, of the Hover
Schlffner company, who has Just re-
turned from Kenenwick and Richland
Mr. Schiffner reports that the people
of the Columbia river valley are great
~ excited over the railroad activities
just begun there. Since election ten
carloads of machinery have been un-
loaded at Kennewick, and another out
lit is expected in few days, which
means that the employment of a great
many men will be required to operate
the machinery and teams.
''The best information I am able to
obtain said Mr.. Schiffner this morn
ing. 'is, that active construction work
will soon begin on the bridge Just be-
low Kennewick, and that the North
Coast and the Kennewick Northern are
rushing their work in order to COM
plete it along the Columbia river
These two railroad beds parallel each
other for number of miles and both
Richland connection with the outer
world, condition she has never en-
joyed before excepting by boat service.
Two hundred men are, buSily engaged
in constructing the gravity canal which
will supply the Richland high lands
and they expect their work to be COM
pleted by January l. When this ditch
Is completed it will irrigate $4,000 acres
of the choicest lands on the Columbia
river, all by gravity flow. 1 honestly be-
lieve from the way the people are 60
ing into that section now, that the land
will be entirely sold within the next
three or four months.
That the North Coast road is head
ed for Walla Walla is an assured fact
and any one who takes the time to
investigate will surely be convinced
that Walla Walla is soon to have this
road. A large number of cars, pihng,
lumber, besides donkey engines and
pile drivers have been shipped to Bur
bank on the Northern Pacific and from
there taken on barges to the site of the
bridge and no one doubts they are go
ing to build the bridge over the Colum-
bia rive and there is no question but
that they intend coming to Walla
Walla, for there is at present a crew
Of IS men on the river ready to begin
the work of the bridge at moments
notice. l am Informed by the men that
they are drawing salary while waiting
orders; finances have been holding
them back for the last month or so,
but those best acquainted with condi-
tions say that since election Mr.. Stra-
horn has been able, to get finances ne
cessary to complete his line.
What this means 70 Walla Walla
cannot be over estimated; it will mean
the securing of the only thing that has
kept Walla Walla from being Il rival
of Spokane and Portland both in size
and Importance
Il believe the citizens of Walla Wal
la should seize the opportunity Of show
ing their appreciation of this new en-
terprise. Some years ago We were told
by some of our people that railroads
had to come to Walla Walla. Since
then, however, we have been convinced
that this was wrong and, as James j.
Hill, of the Northern Pacilc said at a
banquet given by the Seattle Com
merCial club, what is most appreciated
is the application of the golden rule
in dealing with railroads. l think the
citizens of Walla Walla can afford to
go a little further just now and offer
them some special favOrs which | be
lieve will bring us greater interests
than any other investment We can
make at this time.
Having lived here a greater por-
ton of my life and having confidence
in Walla WalIa and its future, l feel
like throwing up my hat and saying
Hurrah for Walla Walla and the
North Coast"