Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-10-19
MUNICIPAL DOCK AND
AN IMPROVED RIVER
Commercial Club Hears Rea-
sons Why 1t Should Be
Built---Other Business

A municipal dock for Salem is the
latest undertaking of the Commercial
club.
Following the address of Captain A.
W. Graham in which he set forth the
advantages of municipal dock for the
city, committee was appointed con-
slsting of Paul Wallace, q. G. Holt and
Dan ). Fray TO wait on the city cOun.
ell with the suggestion that $4,000 be
included in the budget for 1917. This
sum Captain Graham said would build
dock Of sufficient size for the river
business of Salem.
Before tine committee arrived at the
city hall, the council had already pass.
I'd the budget for 1917 and as a con.
sequence, there will be no $4,000 a.
Vallable for the construction of city
dock with city money-at least not in
1917.
A. w. Graham of Oregon City was
introduced by President Albert as a
graduate deck hand, captain, manager
and everything else that might be in.
cluded in the management of a boat
'ine, the Oregon City Transportation
company.
Before getting an appropriation from
congress for the deepening of the riv-
n, Mr.. Graham said it was necessary
o show there was already a thriving
business on the river and that the
more tonnage could be shown, the bet
ter were the chances of getting money
from congress
While it might be Of advantage to
deepen the river, Mr.. Graham said the
first thing was to get an appropriation
soi he reconstruction of part of the
locks at Oregon City, as at the time of
year when there was the greatest river
raffic, there was only one foot and
nne inches of water at the lower lock.
lie claimed there had been a blunder
made in the construction Of the locks
nd that engineers had estimated that
$4,000 would be necessary to remedy
he mistake.
To increase river traffic in general
Mr.. Graham said more docks were need.
ed up and down the river, owned by
'he different localities. From Portland
% Eugene, a distance of III miles
there was but two municipal docks-at
Butteville and Wheatland. He believed
it was better for a town to own it.
own docks.
In Saiem, you nave a rotten anti
luated old Dock" said Mr.. Graham
and this naturally hampers business
The city should own good moderr
dock. 1t could be an open dock or WI
would lease it,"
The best place for q municipal doel
would be at what is known as the ole
dock location, between State and Court
streets.
The object in building docks along
the river not only in Salem but at 9th
er points was to convince the govern
ment that there was sufficient tonnag,
along the river to justify an appropri
alton and if anything was to be done il
the Salem dock line, now was the tim,
as the lease of the Oregon Transporta
ton company for the present docl
would expire within a year.
While Mr.. Graham estimated that
dock could be built for $4,000, Chas X
Spaulding and others present were OF
the opinion that the total cost woulC
probably be nearer $1,000 or $4,000
President Albert suggested that as
United States senator would be in town
next week and also a congressman, the
needs of the Willamette river might b,
brought to their atten:on.
L. Greenbaum reported that the sub
jeet of street lights had been presented
to the city council and that he hoped
for favorable action.
F. G.. Deekebach, as chairman of 6
committee on river improvement said
that before presenting the matter o.
an appropriation for deepening tht
river, the rivers and harbor committed
must be shown there already was {
considerable tonnage on the river anG
that municipal dock was one of tn,
things needed. As for terminal rates
he thought these could be secured if il
could be shown there was an open chan
mel from Salem all year.
Geo. F. Rodgers asked that his com
mittee be empowered to continue al
educational campaign showing that Sa
lem was facing an industrial crisis ant
that the city was threatened with thu
loss of several of its manufacturing en-
terprises. Mr.. Rodgers is chairman o.
the $250,000 guarantee committee.
W. M. Hamilton, as chairman Of |
committee to report progress Of th'
4