East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1913-09-26

PASCO. WASH, Sept. 26.-The wa
terways convention was called to or
der yesterday afternoon in the Com
mercial clubs rooms at Kennewick
An enthusiastic group of open-river
advocates was present. The meeting
was an executive session of the di-
rectors. There are 10 directors in all,
but some of them were absent.
Enough were present for a quorum
and considerable routine business was
taken up and disposed of.
The chief speaker of the afternoon
was Representative Bryan, one of the
congressmen-a at large for the state OF
Washington. Mr.. Bryan made an en-
ergetic speech in favor of the open
river, saying that he considered it one
of the biggest problems of the entire
Northwest
Whole Northwest Concerned.
1t is a problem that belongs to no
political party, he said, to no faction,
to no particular locality. but concerns
the welfare of the entire northwest
ern part of the United States and the
eastern part of British Columbia.
Mr. Bryan said he was not seeking
political prestige. but promised TO
pledge his utmost support during his
stay in congress to secure the opening
of the Columbia river at the earliest
possible date.
Mr.. Bryan reviewed the work done
in congress during the past session
in regard to the Columbia river ap-
preparation. He believed 1t possible to
obtain more government aid for the
river.
Today's Address.
DR.. Alfred Kinney delivered the
principal address today, and in part
spoke as follows:
This is the dawn of the day in
which the Columbia river basin comes
into the possession of its own. Upon
this land of plenty, a world OF lux
ury has thrust its mantle of produc-
tivity overwhelmingly about our peo-
pie until they seemingly have be-
come entangled in its folds. and help
lessly cry out: Smile on. smile on,
the world Is ours =" There were some
hearts that saw the trend and trem-
Lied lest they could not steer the
way. Two newspapers gained the WIS.,
ion and in uncertain tones preached
the gospel seemingly unheeded. un-
I'll in last March a little cluster OF
earnest men gathered in the lobby OF
the Astoria hotel, giving out the cry.
Smile on smile on.-yes. smile on
the efforts we launch forth this day
to sustain the efficiency of the great
Columbia river" for at that moment
the committee of direction of the
Port OF Astoria was born.
Vision Was Clear.
The vision OF that committee was
clear; 1t analyzed the figures 1t had
from first hands. The seaport to the
north with its area of drainage of
10000 square miles had foreign
commerce of $4,000. 900. The sea-
port to the south with its area of
drainage of $4,000 square miles had
a foreign commerce of $3.50 000, 900,
while the seaports OF this mighty CO.
lumbia river basin, with its near 30O,-
900 square miles, veritable Garden
of Eden, producing nearly quarter
of a billion in value yearly. had a for
eign commerce of but $4,000. .0Ou.
or Interest to All.
This movement is not for the sole
benefit of Astoria. so fortunately 10.
Gated on the great harbor at the
mouth OF the Columbia river, nor is II
solely for her mighty and beautiful
sister. Portland. at the head of deep
water navigation, nor of Rainier, Van
couver. ST. Helens, Wanna, Kalama.
or any other or all of the ports of the
lower river. but II Is in the interest
of every city on the river or its trib-
utaries within the Great Inland EN-
pire. for with an open river and no
bar at its mouth, every Columbia ba-
sin city becomes a port Not only
Pasco, Kennewick. but Spo-
kane, the imperial city of this vast
inland empire. will gain advantages
never before dreamed of by its most
builders.
Now comes another great team en-
listing in our cause and will over
whelm all opposition. Headed by the
Portland Spokane Chambers of Com
merce. let all of the commercial bod