Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-06-17
THE FIGHT FOR AN OPEN WILLAMETTE RIVER.

The campaign for free locks at the falls Of the willamette
river was begun in earnest three years ago,
An Open River Association was organized at Albany COM
posed of strong men from all the valley towns. no
During the fall of 1906 many meetings we're neld IN lhe
valley towns to arouse enthusiasm for the project.
In the legislature of 1907 bill introduced for the pur-
chase Of the locks and canal at Oregon CY by the state
This bill was opposed by Congressman HaWeN who took
the position that the federal government should bear part
OF the expense,
bill was finally put through the Legislature appopiang
S300000 10 aid in purchasing the locks and canal.
This bill was framed the theory that the federal govern
ment would appropriate at least similar sum-
Senator Fulton introduced resolution dlrectng tne War
department TO make up new estimate of the cost OF the
project.
mittee on commerce OF the United States Senate
Last fall Senator Bourne took up the battle to Tree locks
and canal and secured order tor new engineering eSnate
OF the cost of construction.
In the meantime the Oregon legislature Of 1909 passed a
law appropatng the former amount and extending the
time when the money would be available to 1912 and cover
ing the former appropriation into the general fund
Two legislatures have expressed the willingness OF the state
70 bear its share of the cost Of purchasing the locks and canal
from the corporation that now owns them.
The entire delegation from Oregon Is unit in favor OF
the acquisition Of the locks and canal by the general govern
men and maintaining them free 10 the people Of Oregon
II is expected that next TO the Columbia river the delegation
places free and open willamette river as first in Importance
to the people OF Oregon.
The appropriations for the free locks and canal will be
OF the first items in the great rivers and harboS bill OF the
next session of congress, which meets in December
Not only are all the commercial bodies of Western Oregon
enlisted for this appropriation but the Portland commercial
bodies appeared in person before the legislature and will
appear before congress If necessary
Every development convention held in Oregon and some
daho have demanded the opening Of the Willamette river to
Tree navigation,
Il is the most important improvement that can possibly be
made In the interest of the producers Of Western Oregon
II will affect great savings every pound OF freight that
comes into or goes out of the Willamette valley.
free and open river with no tolls on commerce of any
description means tremendous advantage to the Portland
obber and manufacturer
means removing tax Of so cents ton the producers
of Western Oregon,
That is bigger tax than all the other taxes combined on
the IIer of the soil,
The tolls at the falls of the willamette now exacted by
river but absolutely prOhbNe on many industries and
many classes of freight
Fencing Of the public domain by large corporations is no
greater crime against the settlers than the fence at the falls
of the willamette Is against the producers and business in
tereSts of Western Oregon,