Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-02-15
UNCLE SAM
TAKES OVER
THE CANAL
ARRANGEMENTs COMPLETED FOR
PURCHASE OF CANAL AND
LOCKS AT OREGON CITY, AND
FOR THEIR IMPROVEMENT.

Portland Feb. 15.-Official autbori-
zatlon is looked for Immediately, DOS
sloly today by Major F. ]. McIpdoe
corps Of engineers, U. S. A., to close
negotiations with the Portland Rail-
way Light & Power company for tbe
purchase of the Willamette river locks
at Oregon City, for $S75,OOO. The war
department will spend approximately
$SOO'OOO on repairing the locks and
basin, and the construction of con-
ciete wall to separate the property
from that of the corporation. which
Will retain all other holdings at the
Willamette falls.
News Of an agreement having been
reached was received in the city yes
terday, and on the arrival o. NAior Ms
indoe from Washington over the North
Bank line at 7;45 o'clock last evening.
ne confirmed the fact that governnlen;
ownership of the last barrier TO free
navigation of the Willamette was an
early probability.
Major McIndoe departed from Port
land last month for the Panama canal,
via Washington, and before he left the
Isthmus received a cable directing him
to report at Washington on his return.
and 1t was at conference with Off
cials there that an agreement as to
the price was reached.
Immediate possession will not be
given the government, as It will be
necessary for the Portland Railway,
Light & Power company TO execute a
deed conveying the locks system and
abutting property that is included for
the keepers habitation and other build
ings, and the instrument will be for
warded to the department Of Justice
for scrutinization When accepted the
government will assume charge and all
tolls will cease, It is planned to make
repairs SO that river traffic will be in
terfered with as little as possible.
The depth Of the sills Of the locks
will be increased so that there will be
no delays to navigation due to low
water, while the gates and other equip
ment will be overhauled.
It is not intended to widen the locks
at present, though in the plans and
specifications compiled for the pro-
posed locks and basin on the west
side, the right Of way for which would
have to be condemned, It was proposed
to have a sufficient space so that two
vessels could lock through in com
pany
B. s. Josselyn, president of the
Portland Railway Light & Power COM
pany, is in California and Eastern Of
ficials Of the company met with war
department executives and completed
details of the negotiations,
While the possession and control of
the canal by the government is not ex-
pected to result in the movement of the
major portion Of freight handled be-
tween Portland and Corvallis and in
termedlate points by water, II Is be-
lieved that 1t will result in a reduc-
tlon of freight rates by railroad
The canal now collects a toll Of so
cents a ton for all merchandise pass
ing through IT, A rate is also fixed
for passengers and livestock. When
the government takes charge of IL,
passage through the canal win be free.
This will reduce the water rate in a
sufficient aomunt, 1t is thought, that
the rail lines will have to cut their
rates to meet the water competition.
However, Majar McIndoe, in his re-
port to the war department recently,
calculated that 20 per cent Of the mer-
chandlse passing between Portland
and upper Willamette river points will
be hauled by the canal. He estimates
the merchandise handled annually at
100000 tons, which would give the ca
nal 100000 tons yearly There is also
a fair movement of passengers at all
seasons Of the year when the river is
open.