White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1933-08-17
River
Projects Urged
By New Group
WOULD OPEN NAVIGATION ON
COLUMBIA UP TO PRIEST
RAPIDS

Meeting in WalIa WhAa Aaa1 "eeA'
a group of men interested IN the open
ing of the Columbia and Snake rivers
to navigation organized the Trl-State
Development League, representing
twenty four counties OF Eastern WASH
ington, Idaho and Oregon.
The purpose of the league Is 10
promote the building Of the umatilla
Rapids dam, and make navigation SAFE
to the mouth of the Snake and to the
foot of Priest Rapids, in the Columpla
The further purpose OF the league Is 10
promote the program of construction Oh
low dams in the Snake river to Lewis
ton and Pittsburg Landing, all OF Cnese
developments to be in the interest OF
navigation primarily at this time, put
with such construction that dams may
be used for development OF power When
completed.
It is estimated that the cost OF these
works will be in the neighborhood OF
s4O.OOO,OO0 and the funds will be sought
from the administrator of public WORKS,
Hon. H. l.. Ickes, and formal applica-
ton is being made to him.
The 1890 census of the twenty -four
counties was, in round numbers, 4OO,OOo.
The area produces between 100000 to
lOOOO0,0OO bushels of wheat annually;
10000 900 boxes of apples, and over
billion feet of timber annually, besides
hay, vegetables, wool and livestock for
down-river shipment, and it is claimed
that large volume of gasoline and OIL
and merchandise will provide up-river
shipments
ct is automatic" says E. r. Dodd
executive secretary of the organization
that cheap power from the develop
ment of hydroelectric works by the
public will result in increased use OF
electricity in light, power and heat.
"The further purpose of forming this
Tri-State League is to protect and
advance the interests of our inland
territory, which is remote, more or less
from large centers Of population
wealth and political power. We have
long been convinced that no region Is
interested in our welfare like we OF
common interests should be and are
Just now we are being held by others
as marginal lands
This organization is much on tht
order of q state or national chamber
of commerce, or any other large civic o.
agricultural or economic body, and ou
activities will be confined to the genera
retirement and development OF water
ways, use of power, and such othe
needs as may arise within the scope o
our own general welfare.
'rThe immediate work OF the eXecu
tive board and secretary will be t
make application for funds for tn
construction of the Umatilla Rapid
dam and Snake river dams and chan
mel construction to the administrator
public works, and Regional Advise
Marshall NJ Dana and to the advisor
boards of the three states.
"They will also urge the support c
all senators and members Of congress
and governors of the three states. The
information, influence and strength
that will aid in the favorable consider
alton and final action in favor Of TIL
development of navigation and cheape
freight rates, and more and cheape
light, power and heat, for our part {
the Inland Empire"
The counties included in this leagu
are: NezPerce, Latah, Lewis, Clear
water, and Idaho, of Idaho; Sherman
Gillian, Wheeler, Morrow, Umatill
Union and Wallowa, of Oregon; an
Klickitas, Benton, Yakima, Kittita
Grant, Franklin, Walla Walla, Adam
Whitman, Columbia, Garfield an
Asotin, of Washington. Fred Kem
Prosser, was elected to the executiy
board, and D. 8. Wilkinson, Whi
Bluffs, R. E. Reed, Kennewick, c.
O'Brien, Pasco. and s. r. Chaffee {
sllnnyside are included in the menbe
ship of the advisory board.