The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-21
EXAMINE into ADAIR
DRAIN PROBLEM
CITY OFFICIALS MAKE THOR.
OUCH INSPECTION or THE
vEXED MATTER

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The committee on streets aud pub.
lie ways Of the common council, con.
sisting Of councilmen Fox, Bel
land and Wilson, yesterday made an
inspection Of the Adair drain and Of
the proposed change in grade on Irv'
ing avenue at Seventh street. They
were accompanied by Mr., Tee, the
city surveyor, and Mr., Kearncy, the
superintendent Of streets, and, espee.
tally, a thorough examination was
made Of the Adair drain and the real
sources Of the trouble there, For years
the drain has been source OF con-
tenlion among the residents whose
property Is directly or more remotely
affected BY Il. and because oi the con
tentions il has been a difficult matter
10 handle when put up 10 the common
council. That there should be new
drainage system there has been an
admitted matter for long time, but
some wanted Il in one place and 9th.
ers in another place, or perhaps an.
der some other plan.
The committee found the whole
area ia the Adair drainage shed 10 be
in very bad shape Much water Is
backed up, and while no very great
actual damage Is being done righ,
now, the area Is in bad mess" to
use the phrase used by several OF
those in the party, The ground Is
soitened by the water, Houses move.
and need to be frequently braeed up.
Mr.. Kearney wanted the commit
tee to see the real sources Of the
trouble-aud first Of al il was found
that the drain itself is all Shot 70
pieces; that the siulces and pipes are
gone or are In such state as to Be
worthless, The need Of new system
Is apparent. High up on the hill
sides, and up on the hills, are various
little ponds and marshy spots, and
from this wet area run various rivu-
lets down into the Adair drain ter
ritory. The problem FIRST Of all evil
IDENTIFY requires that this wet area be
so drained that It's waters will be con
Quoted speedily and surely into the
drainage system, so that they will not
trickle and pereolate throughout the
soil, later to appear at the surface
lower down and outside Of the drain
pipes. The question Of the Chinese
gardens on the hillside also enters in
any solution OF the problem, Il Is said.
II will be remembered that 10 years
gone by much dissession arose as to
the location OF the drain, especially II
II were to be made over. Some want
ed II along one street, others demand
ed that it be not on that street
The committee yesterday apparent
Ily thought that Thirty-sixth was the
best avenue for the drain.
Those of the residents who were
talked with yesterday seemed to be
quite willing to stand for the expense
Of the construction Of new system,
though it is foreseen that the cost will
reach into many thousands Of dol
lars II II be done properly. The plan,
Of course, would be to form an as
sessment district, 50 that the city at
large would not be called upon to pay
for the improvement, 1t Is probable
the committee will make a report on
the whole matter, and it is said may
recommend a definite plan Of action.
The committee also made personal
inspection of the proposed change Of
grade on Irving avenue at Seventh
street. The city surveyor had ,et out
stakes there in accordance with one
petition that had been presented to
the council, but other petitioners OBJ
jected to this grade. The stakes had
been set out so that the councilmen
might readily see just what is pro-
posed. There was difference Of about
six feet in the grades asked for in
the two diverse petitions, and the
committee dcided to recommend that
the matter be settled by setting the
grade at half way between the two
asked for, according to one Of the
committeeman.