The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1912-09-20
RIVER STEAMERS
|N|| N|I CONTINUE CONTINUE
OPEN RIVER TRANSPORTATION
TO Be SUPPORTED.
United Effort of Inland En-
pire Commercial Interests
Has Desired Effect.

All over the country there is
jubilation because the Open River
transportation company did not fail,
says the Portland Journal kilograms
Of congratnlation have been pouring
in from nearly every point where
there is concern for the answer to
the question: "Can an independent
boat line live In the face Of opposition
from and competing with the railroad
corporations?
As an independent line conducted
largely as a public Institution By
group Of patriotic citizens who an
nually have paid the deficit out Of
their own pockets. the Open River
Transportation company has attr acted
nationwide attention. From the fact
of its service. Portland and the upper
Columbia and Snake rivers have re-
oeived valuable publicity.
Failure OF the line. in the opinion
of many. would have struck death
blow at the spirit which throughout
the country supports and promotes
competitive transportation as means
of commercial development.
The meeting OF Open River stock
holders Friday afternoon was largely
representative Of the personality and
wealth that has built Portland. That
the men who were there by their votes
have pledged themselves to less
apathetic support Of the line, more
euergetio promotion Of its purposes, Is
taken as argument that failure will
not be permitted.
And already, says A. B. Wasteil,
manager Of the company. the tonnage
Of freight consigned via the Open
River line has increased, due to the
notice attracted to the condition Of tho
line because Of lack of support.
4 That the right kind OF support and
| friendlinees for the service In Port
land and up river points can eliminate
the deflcit is an undisputed fact. ! 1he
line this year haa handled something
more than $4,000 tons Of freight.
With 1000 tons more it would have
broken even, despite repair Hosts and
other extraordinary expenses that will
disappear upon the completion of the
Cello canal and the Improvement Of
the channel. From the manager g
Office OF tho company went yesterday
the following circular announcement
confirming the stock kholders' decision
to continue service:
''In view OF the strong assurances
of support made by committees, letters
and petitions from interior points rel
ative to operation of Open River
transportation company, II has been
decided to continue tbe boat service
of this line on existing schedule until
October 81, 1919. providing necessary
tonnage offers and subject to fayora-
BILE navigation conditions.
"All concerned are urged to route
their freight Open River line to the
end that continued operation may be
mutually advantageous.
Steamer Teal leaves Oak street
dock, Portland, Sunday, Tuesday and
Thursday at a. m. for The Dalles and
intermediate landings; leaves The
Dalles Monday Wednesday and Fri
day for Portland The Thursday trip
from Portland is through trip TO
Umatilla, Kennewick. Pasco and in
termediate landings via steamer In-
land Empire. giving opportunity for
distribution OF fall staples direct 10 up
river koat landings. and also for com
bined boat and rail distribution out OF
junction points to the interior.
Especial attention will be given to
wheat and hay shipments from up
liver points.