East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-09-17

in the railroads originally operated
the boat lines but after the opening
of the railroads, the gradually with
drew from the river and have success
fully prevented any competition since,
by the various means with which you
are all familiar.
A saving of 10c per ton Is but a
starter. Let me show you some COM
paratiye costs in freight handling
The present freight rate from Umatil-
la to Portland on wheat is LAP cents
per ton mile. The wheat rate from
Chicago to New York is .294 cents per
ton mile or about one fifth as much.
The new Bernhard barges operating
on the Mississippi of which you have
read so much. are reputed to carry
cargoe at a cost OF 400 OF a cent
per ton mile of 1886 Of the present
cost OF hauling grain from Umatilla
to Portland by rail. Applying the rate
OF 400 cents per ton mile, 1t would
make the cost of hauling one ton
from Lewiston to Astoria less. than
twenty cents
The cost Of hauling from Buffalo
TO New York through the New York
barge canal has been estimated at 26
cents per ton or about j-100 cents per
ton mile. This estimate includes op-
Grafton maintenance and interest on
the capital invested and an operation
period Of but six months each year or
length of time comparable with
grain handling on the Columbia.
1 will readily admit that the con-
ditions are different here and that
river transportation will cost more on
the Columbia river than on the Mis-
sissippi but with the proper equip
ment the cost will be far less than
the present or any previous rates in
force in the Northwest. With the
complete canalization Of the Colum
bia and Snake rivers. conditions and
costs should be comparc BILE with thu
New York state barge canal
Did you ever hear of Astoria? II
Is the newest old town in the North
west. They are spending over two
millions OF dollars down there for a
seawall. public docks and roads. The
docks which they are building, when
| complete, will cost over one million
dollars The first unit will cost $780,
900. II is the most modern and COM
plet dock on the coast, hollow tile
walls. asbestos roof, steel doors and
windows and in all as near fire-proof
as possible. They want to go into the
transportation business IL you will
Join them and give them your unani-
nous support.
There Is but one way such a boat
line can succeed and that is to have
the owners. shippers and receivers
interested in the successful economi-
cal and continuous operation. II there
Is the least question as TO the perma-
nancy OF the venture. you can not get
the continued and united support OF
the shippers.
| have thought a great deal about
the organization of boat line and
| ! am firmly OF the opinion YOU do not
want fifty men with $4,000 each but
you should and must have a com
munity or municipality like the Port
of Astoria backing the movement for
our half OF its capital. say $250,000
and $500 individuals at 800 or a suf-
/ ficient number at sums varying from
! $50 TO $3.50 each. The individuals
have an immediate interest in turn
ing their freight TO the boat line and
permanent on account Of diverting the
shipping 90 the mouth of the river
which is destined TO be the greatest
port on the Pacific coast.