The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1918-05-16
STEAMERS ON THE
COLUMBIA AGAIN
Open River Association of Port
land will Put Twin Cities in
Commission Very Soon

Because farmers and merchants TO
whom the upper Columbia river is ac-
cessible have a deep rooted desire TO
see the river come into its own, and
because they believe that the future
Of Portland and much Of the success
of the great Inland Empire is depen-
dent upon what is made of the Column
bia river, the Open River Association
noted for its good works, is father Of
plan to restore traffic to the upper
river at once, says the Portland Ore
gon Journal.
At meeting Of the executive COM
mittee Of the Open River association,
held in Portland Saturday, loan Of
$1,000 was voted to get q new line
started under some of the best known
steamboat men who have operated on
the river. The association has spent
much money in the past for upper riv-
er improvement, looking always to the
aid such thing would be to Portland
and the fund appropriated Saturday
is part of the balance.
Scow Train Proposed for Wheat
Under the proposed arrangement the
stern wheeler, Twin Cities, will start
as soon as affairs can be arranged, on
a weekly schedule between Portland
and Lewiston, drawing trade from the
entire Inland Empire. IL business
warrants further venture, additional
steamers will be put on the run, and
during the wheat harvest season ev-
cry effort will be made to establish a
scow train for hauling wheat in bulk.
The important feature Of the meet
ing Saturday was the determination
Of members Of the association to help
wherever possible in winning the war,
by relieving the railroad congestion
and thru river traffic release much
needed cars for other work. President
J. A. Smith, of the Open River assoc
citation, made an especially strong
plea to this end. President Smith pre-
sided at the meeting and Judge Will
liam ]. Mariner, secretary, was anoth-
er attendant from Blalock, Ore.
Service was discontinued on the up
per river year ago, but under the
new plan every indication, according
to President Smith is that the Twin
Cities will operate with great de-
gree of success. At any rate, thoro
campaign for the support Of all ship
pers between Portland and Lewiston
will be launched. at once. The situa-
ton confronting shippers, who former
ly had trouble in getting their produce
to the water, has been entirely chang
ed by the greater use of automobiles,
President Smith says. Where it was
to get produce to the river
the automobile today has
made the river boats as easily access
sible as is the railroad.
"Boat day" promises to be a big
thing in Eastern Oregon, Washington
and in Idaho, for the Twin Cities will
operate on a fixed schedule, arriving
and departing from the several stops
exactly at the time set in the schedule.
The fact that former steamers on the
run came and went as they were able
helped to defeat their plans for bust
ness.
One Of the important steps to be
taken at once is to further the organ
ization Of additional port districts,
planned similar to the Port of Port
land commission, which will have tax
ing powers and all authority. There
fore, centers of population will not be
required for the establishment Of a
dock and other necessary facilities.
The ports Of Rufus and Kennewick
have already formed such commits
sions.
The upper river conditions now pre-
vent the unlimited operation Of scow
rains, but these defects will be speed
ly removed, thru government aid IL
possible.