East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-05-05

done 70 the corps Of engineers OF the
United States army, which corps has
in charge In addition 70 It's other du-
ties, the work OF the river and har-
Dor improvement Of this country.
The result OF this particular i'm
provement demonstrates that where
the engineers have the opportunity
they secure results. The handlcap p
they labor under, what with lntermit-
tent operation and various limitations.
both under the law and otherwise, is
but little realised by the people gem
orally; and I am glad to have this Op-
portunity to express my respect and
honor for them, representing as they
do branch Of the service that has
been distinguished throughout its en-
tire life for honor, integrity and abil-
ity.
on October %, 1905, and again on
their return on April 19 OF the fol.
lowing year, the Lewis and Clark ex.
position. inaugurated and made pos
sible by that great statesman. Thom-
as Jefferson, made a portage around
Cello Falls. II is interesting to note
that the obstruction to navigation at
this point has been used as never
falling means OF extorting tribute in
one form or another from the public,
for its control meant not only the con-
troll Of the traffic in general but at
times Of men as wen.
Indian Troubles.
From the time of the first settle
ment on the Columbia river at Astor-
ia BY the Pacific Fur company on
April IL, 1911, until after the arrival
of DR.. John Mclaughlin as chief fac
tor of the Hudson Bay company in
1894, there was trouble with the In
dians at Cello. Their control OF the
portage practically prohibited other
Indians from travelling between Cello
and the lower Cascades. They acted
as traders purchasing commodities
from the Indians above Cello and
other commodities from those below
the lower Cascades, thus acting as
both buyers and sellers, making a.
profit out of both ends Of the transac-
tion and keeping the trade wholly in
their own hands. Until about 1883
transportation companies had and ex-
ercised substantially the same con-
troll as did the Indians in the earlier
days. Prior to the time OF the COM
pleIion Of the railway along the Co.
lumbia river traffic could be handled
only by steamer, and portage around
Cello Falls was necessary. Competi-
tion on the river was impossible. as
the company controlling the portage
would not transport goods over its
road for steamboats, other than its
cwn. Even with the completion OF
railway and the substitution Of rail-
for water transportation, this obstruc-
tion in the river continued dominant,
and not only prevented the use OF the
river for navigation, but also helped
to maintain high rates by rail
Thus we find that whether the por-
tage was in the hands of Indians or
Anglo-Saxon it served its hold up pur-
pose equally we'll Indeed it would
be difficult to capitalize and put in
exact figures the value which in the
past this obstruction to commerce has
represented to those in control Of II.
II would run to a magnificent am
cunt, and, II it could have been con-
tinued indefinitely, with the growth
and development OF this country It
would nave become a prize well worth
striving for. Perhaps the history Of
this portage will serve to explain why
so much opposition to similar projects
such as the Panama canal, and indeed
to the improvement of waterways
generally. is made.
The Shackles Broken.
So far as Cello is concerned, how
ever, the shackles are broken. The
liver is free at last, and tolls based
on the control Of this portage will no
longer be levied either by red man or
white man. One chain was sundered
at the Cascades; another We are
breaking today; soon Priest Rapids
will be freed. and then our dream
will almost be realized.
may also say that have not
been idle in other directions and that
while The engineers were clearing
channels, building locks and digging
canals, Diners were working on The
nc less important work Of freeing our
rivers from a control that tended to
make these Improvements of no avail.
even after our millions were spent
refer to railroad-owned ana controlled
beat mes, which throttle real com
competition and prevented all true
use Of our waterways as instrumental
tiles Of commerce. We are celebrat-
ing not only the opening of this Ce-
lilo canal but river free in truth
and in fact; for now, after all these
years Of struggle, the steamboat viii
have a fair chance, and the river will
be able to serve its purpose unham-
pered by the domination which has
heretofore stifled competition ard re-
stricted seryice.s
Before closing wish to say few
words on the future of our rivers.
Our work Is not finished It has only
vast and far-reaching as to be almost
beyond our minds to grasp. At this