The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-12-17
C()[UM-
b|A THE Bic
QUESTION
O. Nj. THOMSON SAYS THAT AN
OPEN RIVER MEANS MORE TO
THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
THAN MANY RAILWAYS.

abated. Indeed the more l think of
it the more important / am convinced
that it is. 1t is we'll enough to rave
over the coming of railroads, but
am going to assert that an open river,
especially if it be still water, will be
of greater value to the Columbia
river basin than two or three rail-
roads, from the standpoint Of cheap
transportation. No amount of COM
petition between railroads will re-
duce rates as low as water cOmpeti-
ton, besides there is always the dan
ger of a merger of railroads, which
is more likely that boat lines and
railroads. We have abundance of
wind-jamming over rate regulation
by legislation, when the most eXpe
ditiOus. surest and the most econom-
ical way to get it would be to open
the Columbia river The question
of unfair rates to the Inland Empire
would solve itself if the river was
opened That would bring the rail
roads to their knees quicker than all
the legislation a whole host of legis-
lators can enact.
1T is regretable that more local
enthusiasm is not in evidence on this
subject Can it be that We are all
too bloomin' bent on chasing dol
lars to generate any interest in the
general welfare. and which would in
the long run be great means of fl
nancial gain? Twenty years from
now, at the rate we are going, We
will still be luke warm desiring an
open river The commercial clubs
are not doing enough in that direc-
ton The Northwest Development
league is not even passing good
strong resolutions on the subject.
Other questions, such as good roads,
railroads. and land projects are of
the utmost Importance, but the open
river proposition stands above them
all. In five years this country will
be producing more fruit than two OF
three railroads can handle promptly,
and what they will charge in excess
of a reasonable rate would give us
still water to the mouth of the Co.
lumbia
There are a lot of politicians do
ing obeisance to we people in this
section now and asking us to send
them to congress, and one or two de-
handing our support for the United
States senate. But what can we ex-
pect in return from our support, if
we are to depend upon the half-heart-
ed promises that have been made? I
am strongly in favor of supporting
man who will pledge himself to the
insurgent cause, but just at this pres
himself to get at least the value of
half dozen dreadnoughts appro-
priated to make a great public high
way of this Columbia river should not
be entitled to our support.
The opening of the Panama canal
will cause a great revival in water
transportation and much of the
freight that is now carted across the
country will come around the water
route and an open Columbia will put
we people of the great inland north
west in a position to reap some OF the
good to be derived from the great
ditch.
The clubs and leagues, or better,
an open river league should central
ize on this matter and hammer away
until they get results. Data and fig
ures could soon be gathered up by
which it could be shown the cost of
opening the river and of making it
still water haul There is no ques-
ton but what 1t would more than pay
for itself in a few years. 1t is i'm
portant that country produce much,
but of what value will that abun +
ance be without adequate and cheap
transportation? Water transpo-ta-
ton will be the very greatest in
ducement for the investment o. cap
ital in this country. At the 'esent
time it requires enough to build an
ordinary mill or plant just % ship
the machinery in here.
suggest that we get ynselfish
long enough to generate a little in
terest in this matter. Let us put it
squarely up to our politicians to do
things and do it now not after
we have paid out enough in excessive
rates to build a half dozen railroads.
o. M. THOMSON.