East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-08-11
CELLO WORKS
ARE INSPECTED
CHIEF ENGINEER OF U. S.
VISITS GOVERNMENT PROJECT
Thinks IL May Take 20 Years TO Com
pletc the Workshops the Task
Could be Done I'm Three and Half
Years II Congress Would Approprl-
ate Large Sum of Money.

Portland-After inspecting work on
the Cello canal and other government
projects on the upper Columbia on
Saturday, Brigadier- General William
l. Marshall, Chief Engineer of the
United States army, left early yester-
day morning to look over the Colum-
bia river jetty and the Notifications
at Forts Columbia, Stevens and Cam
by, says the Telegram.
Work on the Cello canal is pro-
crossing as rapidly and as favorably
as could be expected in view of the
puny appropriations that have been
available for IT," said General Mar
shall. IF Congress would allow us
enough money for a lump contract
on the whole work we could complete
the canal in three years and a half.
AS 1t is it may take 20.
However, that is matter that is
largely up to the people out here
themselves. The United States engi-
neers are not allowed to ask for any
appropriations, or even to make rec
concentrations for them. If you peo-
pie in this country can stir up your
congressman and get them to work.
ing for big appropriation, then per-
haps the things can de done.
"The completion of the canal win
be of the greatest Importance to Ore
gon, Washington and even Idaho, for
IL will result in the immediate lower
ing of freight rates through great
country. believe however, there will
be only a very slight increase in river
traffic If there is any, when the ca
nal is finally opened. This has been
the case upon the completion of every
great river improvement the govern
ment has ever undertaken. 1t has
been repeatedly shown that the rail-
roads lower their rates to a point so
low that even the rivermen cannot
meet it. and are practically forced out
of business.
The result is a lowering of freight
rates. however, so the benefit to the
shipper is the same as If river traffic
had increased. Why is it that on the
Mississippi river the railroads carry
almost all the freight that is carried?
And why Is II that there is not a single
through passenger or freight boat on
the Great Lakes from Chicago to Du-
luth? Simply because on the compile
ton of improvements by the govern
ment opening the river and deepen
water in the inland harbors the rail-
roads reduced their rates at once.
About all the steamboat traffic there
is on boats owned by the railroads
themselves.
80 it will be when the Cello canal
is finished. The work there is like
driving a pinhole through a mans
heart. II will relieve the great pres
sure OF freight traffic. It's just a lit
tie hole, but It will be big enough to
do the work.
After returning to Portland tonight,
General Marshall will leave with his
wife tomorrow for san Francisco and
San Pedro. Some idea of the import |
ant position which General Marshall |
holds and OF the vast amount of work
he has under his charge can be gained !
by knowledge of the fact that the Ce-
lilo canal is only one of SIS different |
Improvement projects, some of them |
of vast extent, which he directs. Be |
sides this Genarl Marshall has juris- |
diction over and must keep in touch |