The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-07
THE PORT or ASTORIA
OFFICERS ELECTED
COMMISSION ORGANIZES AND
, ELECTS Mr.. wINGATE AS
ITS PRESIDENT.

The Port OF Astoria commission
was duly organized yesterday at :
meeting Of the members iu the Offices
oi Finlayson 4 Ward,
The meeting was called 70 order by
G, Wingate, who has been one Of the
prime movers in the creation Of the
commission, and all the commission
ers were present except Mr., Fisher,
Those presen, were Mcssrs Winsatr,
Gordon, Bali, callauder, Wilson and
Finlayson.
]. T, Eakeu was elected secretary
pro tenn.
On motion 81 Commissioner Cor
don aud seconded by Commissioner
Wilson, Commissioner Wingate was
nominated Tor the presidency, and
| Commissioner Calender iot the vice.
presidency, These nominations we're
put TO a motion and unanimously
carried.
II was then moved and seconded
that Commissioner Gordon be made
treasurer, and on vote this was duly
carried. MIR Eaken was then elected
secretary Of the commission,
! II was also moved that the presi.
dent and secretary eudeavor to make
arrangements il possible for meet
ing place OF the Astoria commission
lin the city hall
/ Commissioners Calender and Fin
layson were appointed committee
to draw up rules and regulations for
1.-The use and control OF the harbor, 10
report the same az the next meeting,
which will be at the call Of the presi.
dent. The appointment Of harbor
master was pu, over until the next
meeting. Commissioners Ball and
Wilson are to look up a photographic
engineer, whose services are required
10 make survey Of the harbor.
Thus the Port OF Astoria commits.
sion now stands organized, and all
prepared TO go ahead to take control
Of the Port Of Astoria.
The commission has very wide
powers, and lis organization under
the initiative charter amendment,
adopted at the recent election may
mean much for the future OF Astoria,
The charter amendment also provides
that the commission shall have the
power to raise a certain amount Of
money by taxation, but it Is under
stood in a general way that it is not
planned to spend much money for al
least a time.
In his message to the Common
Council, Mayor Smith adverted to the
Port OF Astoria amendment to the
charter and stated that there may be
some question as to lis validity, and
suggested that before any steps be
taken it might be best to test us
validity by some friendly suit in the
courts, Apparently, however the
commission has little fear OF this
matter.
1t is known that before the election
Mayor Smith and others interested in
the fate Of the three amendments then
before the people were much afraid
that even il they did become a part Of
tn city charter they might not be
legal; on the grounds that the pro-
visions Of the charter had not been
strictly followed in relation to their
publication-that is, in regard to their
being advertised II was said that
the advertisement OF the three pro-
posed amendments was not commcnc-
ed until several days after the proper
time No fault was laid to any
body door. II this be true then It
may also be true that the present law
may be invaiidated if ever brought
into the courts
On the other hand, as far as is
known, no exact study of the question
has yet been given the matter and it
may turn out that all is well with the