10
TEE MORNIXG- OBEGOKIAN, WEDNESDAY,, jJANUAKY IS, 235.
- S. .
TOO SHALLOW
Charms! Between the
Bridges Only 20 Feet.
25-FOOT DEPTH DEMANDED
Government's Condition in
Granting Bridge Permit.
ACCEPTANCE MAY BE REFUSED
Secretary ov WarUVill Be Notified
Port of Portland Commission
President Declares 20-Foot
Channel Is Sufficient.
Will the Government, accept the new
Morrison-street bridge? The Willamette
being a navigable river and under the jur
isdiction of tho "War Department, the re
c onstruction of the Morrison-street bridge
required a permit from the Government.
When tho plans for the bridge were sub
mitted, certain conditions were imposed
by the Secretary of War in the permit
issued to the City of Portland for the con
struction of the bridge, the principal of
these being the requirement of a 23-foot
channel within the bridge area, extending
a short distance 'below the Morrison-street
bridge and up to the Madison-strcet
bridge. By proceeding -with the building
of the bridge the city, at least tacitly,
agreed to fulfill the conditions required by
the Government, but instead of a 23-foot
channel there is at present, with bridge
and dredgo work completed, but 20 feet.
Objection on the part of the Govern
ment to the completed bridge first came
In a communication received "by the Port
of Portland Commission on January 12,
In which it was stated that "the United
States Engineers Department -will re
quire that the present dredging between
Morrison-street and Madison-street
bridges ne carried to a depth 'of 23 feet
below low water." When this letter was
read a member of the Commission face
tiously moved "that they continue to re
quire it," which motion-was immediately
seconded, but no further proceedings.
Since then the Port of Portland dredge
haB cca;d operations, and is now out of
commission, having only worked out a
channel of 20 feet.
The matter, however, has a more serious
aspect than that viewed by the commis
sion. Since the Government's conditions
have not been fulfilled the city will be
held accountable and before the bridge
has received off icial sanction some ad
justment will have to be had with the
War Department.
Twenty-Five-Foot Channel Stipulated
When plans and specifications for the
reconstruction of the Morrison-street
bridge were submitted to the Secretary of
War for the purpose of receiving the nec
essary permit they were approved with
the principal proviso that a 23-foot chan
nel be provided within the bridge area.
The City of Portland itself having no
facilities for dredge work and consider
ing the Port of Portland Commission to
be the body to take such work in hand,
the requirements of the Government re
garding dredging were turned over to that
body for fulfillment. The commission un
dertook the work of dredging, but despite
the conditions imposed by the Secretary
of War. only created a 26-foot channel,
deeming this to be sufficient. The com
mission, however. In doing such work
only followed out the purpose for "which
it was created, that of Improving the
harbor, and did not work under any agree
ment either with the city or Government.
The local Government officials are re
ticent on the subject and refuse to make
any comment. They simply say that the
permit issued by the Secretary of War
.required a 23-foot channel and this has
not been complied with. This matter will
be reported to the Secretary of War. but
Just what immediate action will be taken
is problematical.
Twenty-Foot Channel Sufficient.
C. F. Swlgert. president of the Port of
Portland Commission, under whose direc
tion the dredging In connection with the
new bridge was done, said -when inter
viewed In regard to the subject last night:
"Yes, It Is true that we have only
dredged a 20-foot channel. This, however,
was performed under no agreement with
the city or with the Government, but
simply because it was required by the
needs of commerce. With the construc
tion of the new bridge the former chan
nel In the ilver became unavailable, and
as a branch of the city government and
being formed for Just such work, it be
came incumbent upon the Commission to
provide the new channel as demanded by
the the bridge. I have heard that the
Secretary of "War required a 25-foot chan
nel, but this matter never came before
the Commission officially. We decided
after- examination that a 20-foot channel
was sufficient for the needs of the com
merce and that to increase that depth
would simply mean a waste of money.
Let me ask. what need Is there of a 23
foot channel between the Morrison and
Madison-street bridges when the channel
above Madison street Is less than 20 feet?
Of what use would a hole in the river be
tween those bridges be? Had the Govern
ment project for the improvement of the
river contemplated a 25-foot depth above
Madison street we would certainly have
dredged to that depth between the
bridges, but so long as present con
ditions exist we cannot see the ad
visability of wasting money between the
bridges. In any event, had we desired to
create a 23-foot channel above Morrison
street it could not be done during the
present stage of low water. The condi
tions under which we have been working
lately made it difficult enough to clean
out a 20-foot channel.
"I really know nothing of the re
quirements qf the Government as con
ditioned in the permit for the build
ing of the bridge. We have had no of
ficial communication from the Govern
ment, aside from a recent letter stat
ing that the depth of 25 feet was re
quired, but since we have no agree
ment with the department, no action
Is necessary on our part In regard to
this advice. Should we, however, be
required by the city, or by the Govern
ment, for that matter, to increase the
depth of the channel we will willingly
do it, but as the matter stands we feel
that we have done all that the needs
of commerce demand, and that is what
we go by."
What Will the Government Do?
Mayor Williams, when .interviewed,
had little to say regarding the mat
ter. "When it came to the matter of
dredging," he said, "we simply turned
that part of It over to the Port of
Portland Commission, since it was tne
one to attend to it. I really know
nothing of what the Government re
quires at this time, but In any event
1 cannot see what they can do about
it."
This matter -of the channel will in
no way affect the contractors who
have had charge of the construction
of the hrluRc. Under the terms of the
contract they were only required to
furnish a f"ot channel undsr the
bridge proper, and this they are now
accomplish ?nsr. The east channel tcs
a dpth at present of from 22 ft ?4
feet. Th"s s considered sufficient for
nil navigation purposes at present, rnd
the west cli:.nnel is receiving Imme
diate attention. Men are now at work re
moving piling and rocks from that chan
nel, and work will be continued until the
required depth of 30 feet Is attained. When
that is accomplished, the east channel will
then be deepened.
Sin-j :he bridge is now open to
traffic Mid will soon be-accept i by
the city i: i- probnblo that som- ac
tion will be taken by the' Government
very soon.
HOPEFUL FOR CANAL
But Delegation Has Hard Fight
in Congress.
MAY GET SMALL AMOUNT
Congressmen Answer Telegrams of
Chamber of Commerce, and Say
That Every Possible Effort
Has Been Made.
Telegrams from Senators Mitchell and
Fulton and from Representative William
son have convinced the commercial bod
ies of the city that agitation In regard to
the Celllo Canal appropriation be allowed
to rest until such a time as it Is shown by
the introduction of the appropriation bill
Just what the status of the canal project
is. The Congressmen recognize that it
will be a difficult task to win recognition
for Celllo but are hopeful that a small
appropriation will be obtained.
William D. Wheelwright, the president
of the Chamber of Commerce, received
telegrams yesterday which stated In effect
that since the appropriation bill was
ready for transmission to the House it
would be impossible at this late date to
do anything to change what sum had
already been advised by the committee.
It was expected at the time the telegrams
were sent that the appropriation bill
would be presented to the House yester
day afternoon or perhaps today, and. for
this reason it was too late to do anything
to change the original amount recom
mended by Mr. Burton, whatever that
sum might be.
The answer sent by Senator Fulton to
the communication by the Chamber of
Commerce is as follows:
I think everything possible has been and
and Is being done to secure necessary appro
priations. The lower rKer and bar wilt b
provided for, but there is great difficulty
with Celllo. Mr. Burton Is disposed, if that
Is insisted upon, to take the amount from
the lower river and bar. as he Insists only a
given sum can be appropriated. I am not i
unmindful of the Importance of placing j
Celllo under continuing cotract. even with x
small present appropriation, and over that
we are having our greatest difficulty. We
have, of course, urged what Oregon has
done concerning the right of way at th
suggestion of the Government. I am yet
confident of an ultimate satisfactory result.
C. W. FULTON.
The answer sent by Mr. Williamson Is
shorter and to the point. He says:
Telegram from yourself ad others received.
It is now too late for Portland trade bodleH
to render assistance to river and harbor
bill at this session In the House. The fate
of Oregon will be practically settled today.
J. N. WILLIAMSON.
Senator Mitchell replies as follows:
Everything possible has been done and Is
being done towards securing necessary ap
propriations for lower river ad bar, and
proper recognition of Celllo Canal on a con
tinuing contract. Mr. Burton and the com
mittee have been fully advised as to existing
conditions and urgent necessity. I cannot
see what further can be done to secure de
sired results. Our efforts will not be re
laxed, but continued with Increased vigor.
JOHN 11. MITCHELL.
Following the tenor of these messages
the commercial bodies not only of Port
land but of the Northwest will attempt
no further action until such a time as the
appropriation bill has been presented to
the House. It Is the current opinion that
there will be ?omc recognition given the
canal Hi the bin and that the requests of
the people of the Northwest will be heed
ed: but if thl should prove to be un
founded and the bar and lower river alone
is remembered by an appropriation, then
the commercial and business interests
will Join in bringing all their combined
Influence to bear to secure an amendment
to the bill as It passes through the Sen
ate. It Is the opinion of those who have in
terested themselves In the question that
a small appropriation will be given to the
canal, together with a continuing con
tract, but In the event that such provis
ion Is not made, then all the commercial
bodies will bring their influence to bear
upon the Senate to secure an amendment
to the bilL This, It Is thought, will re
sult In the accomplishment of the wishes
of the Northwest interests. Until time
comes for such concerted action, how
ever, the question will be allowed to rest
by the organizations In this section, the
Oregon delegation In Congress being de
pended upon to keep the commercial bod
ies Informed as to the progress of the bill
and the likelihood of an appropriation be
ing granted.
Canal of Most Benefit.
LA GRANDE. Or.. Jan. 17. (Spe
cial.) President William Miller, of
the LaGrande Commercial Association,
when interviewed on the statement of
Chairman Burton regarding the port
age railway and Celllo Canal appro
priation, said that he favored the Ida
of the Government appropriation for
both, but If one must be cut out he
considered the railway of the least
value to Oregon and especially to
Eastern Oregon, and thinks the canal
of the most advantage. He said it
seemed to him that the Government
would certainly appropriate to at least
one of these if not both. Mayor J. D.
Slater says:
"Personally, I say If the Government
appropriates to but one of these good
causes, let It bo the portage railway
that will be of more benefit to all
parts of the state. I am strongly In
favor of The Oregonlan's sentiments
an appropriation for both and do not
see why the Government cannot keep
faith with Oregon and make the same
for .both."
ARE AFTER GOOD BULL ETO
Montavllla Can Vote on Incorpora
tion if It Pays Expenses.
The petitions to the County Court
from residents of Montavllla asking
that a date "be fixed and an election
called to enable the people there to
vote on. the question of incorporation
have been generally signed, and con
tain enough signatures, but It is doubt
ful whether or not the matter will be
pressed for the present. The whole
question of incorporation depends on
whether water can be secured, through
a city, and this seems to be decided in
the negative as far as Bull Run water
!b concerned. All committees that
have Inquired whether Bull Run water
can be had if the place should incor
porate have been Informed that Port
land cannot supply outsido districts
until another main Is laid to the head
works, which is some time in the fu
ture. With no prospects of getting a wa
ter supply even the friends of Incor
poration can see nothing in it for the
suburb.
H. B. Dickinson, an attorney living
in Montnvilla, who has been examining
the question of incorporation, said,
yesterday, that Montavllla would in
corporate at once If there were any
assurance that water could be had. If
those who signed the petition want to
vote on Incorporation, they can do so
now by paying the cost of an election.
If incorporation earned the city would
reimburse them, but if it failed, they
would be out the money.
MADAME MANTEL! COMING.
Famous Prima Donna to Appear at
Marquam in Grand Opera.
The Mantelll Grand Opera Company,
with Mme. Eugenia Mantelll, late prima
donna of the Metropolitan Opera House,
New York, has been engaged by Manager
Hclllg to appear at the Marquam Grand
for one performance only. Wednesday
evening, January 25. The bill will be "II
Trovatore." and the opera will be pro
duced and sung in Its entirety. In Mme.
Mantelli's support the names of well
known artists appear. It will be the first
grand opera Portland has had this sea
son, and doubtless will be heartily welcomed.
ACCUSED BY CLIENT
Attorney Watts Arrested on
Embezzlement Charge.
SAID TO HAVE KEPT MONEY
Contractor Says He Gave Defendant
Note for $12.50 to- Collect, and
Failed to Get Any Return
Watts Denies Charge.
Attorney John F. Watts was arrested
by Patrolman Teevin Icte yesterday af
ternoon on a warrant Issued out of the
Municipal Court early in the day. Em
bezzlement of Is the charge. Con
tractor G. H. Jessup Is the complainant,
and Dan R. Murphy, formerly associated
with the defendant in the law business, Is
counsel for the prosecution.
Attorney Watts denies his guilt, saying
it may be true that he collected tho sum
stated, but that if he did It has slipped
his memory In the hurry of business and
will be paid If he finds ho owes It. He
Is now making an Investigation.
Contractor Jessup's story and that of
Attorney Watts do not line up at all.
Jessup declares he placed the bill of $12.50
in the hands of Watts for collection last
AugusL It was for plastering work done
for Nels Nelson, at the request of an
other contractor. Jessup says he went
to the offices of John DItchburn, with
whom Watts Is associated, to arrange for
the collection of the bill. Mr. DItchburn
was out, he claims, and he turned the
case over to Watts. He Is positive that
he called repeatedly later to ask as to
the progress of the matter, and that each
time Watts assured him that Nelson had
refused to pay the amount.
Says He Became Suspicious.
"Last Saturday," says Jessup, "I went
to Watts, who said that Nelson still re
fused to pay the bill, and that he would
have to sue it out in the Justice Court.'
It would require 51. he told me. to pay
for the filing of the papers a mechanics'
lien. I had become suspicious of Watts,
so went and saw Nelson. He told me he
paid Watts the money August 13, and
showed me a receipt. I then demanded
of the District Attorney that Watts be
arrested and prosecuted."
"I am not at all uneasy about this
case." said Attorney Watts. 'The asso
ciation of Dan R. Murphy's name with
it will clear me from suspicion with the
public. Murphy was formerly my law
partner. I demanded an accounting about
six months ago. at which time he got
mad and we had a fight In the office.
Sfnce then he has been laying for a chance
to hurt me. This thing will prove a
boomerang to him. It may be that I col
lected the money: If I did, I can pay it.
In the rush of business I may have over
looked the matter, for no demand had
ever been made on me for the amount,
Jessup never putting in an appearance
from August, when he first saw me, until
last week."
Bail for Attorney Watts was fixed at
$23). which he furnished. When the case
comes to trial the fight between Watts
and Murphy Is expected to be one of the
chief features. la view of their former
associations, their present attitude Is remarkable.
MQNTAVTT.TiA ASKS FOE DEPOT
Wants the O. R. &, N. to Build on
the Sidetrack.
Petitions are being circulated in
Montavllla and Russellville asking the
O. R. & N. Company to establish a
passenger and freight depot on tho
sidetrack in North Montavllla. There
will be a meeting of the Montavllla
K "(IB
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Do not undervalue the
services of a skilful phy
sician. Even the best
medicine cannot take the
place of the family doctor.
Therefore we say: Con
sult your physician freely
about your case and ask
him what he thinks about 1
your taking Ayer's Cherry
Pectoral for your cough.
If he says take it, then take
it. If he says do not take
it, then follow his advice.
Jt-4 by tkm W. C. Jkyer Co.. XwaU. Xm.
Xiao 7ninuf-fftarars of
XTXX'S PILLS Par cosstipatio-.'
AYS&'S Z1IS YIGOS-7or tte fcair.
ATQt'S ABILLA-yor tba Meet.
AXXX'8 ABUX COM TarmilaxU 4a M.
Board of Trade this evening- to take
further action in the matter.
The railway has had a sidetrack to
North Montavllla for the past two
years, but no station. The spur was
built on a strip of land purchased by
the people of that suburb, with the
understanding; that a passenger and
freight depot should be established
when it was considered that tho busi
ness would justify 1(. '
The Tale of a Cat
Police man Nearly Loses Llf e cusd
Home Throes- a Stray- Keliae.
PATROLMAN OGG Is a crack shot
when it comes to winging a duck,
but when he tackled a large white cat
Sunday night he experienced the time of
his life, although finally killing the feline.
Patrolman Baty, who travels a North
End beat with Joe Burke, is partly re
sponsible for the trouble, for he it was
who first found the cat and transferred
it to a place of safety, where he left it
until time to report off duty. He then
intended taking it home, as it was re
futed to be a good roouser. In the mean
time, the presence of the cat was uppea
off to Patrolman Ogg. who thought It
would be a good Joke to steal it from
his brother officer and take it himself.
Patrolman Ogg put the cat In a sack
and carted It home. It was a blar. strong
one, and when he let it out of the bag,
upon reaching the house. It was frantic
It made a dash for the parlor window,
leaping nearly to the ceiling. Its claws
caught in a handsome pair of curtains,
which were torn into shreds In a twink
ling. This was apalllng, but more was
to follow, and quickly.
Frightened more than ever, the cat
leaped from the window and struck a
table, on which was a lighted lamp. Over
went table and lamp, and but for the pres
ence of mind of the officer a fire would
have resulted. But on went the cat, look
ing for more things to conquer.
"I'll catch that cat and throw it out,"
thought Patrolman Ogg, but It clawed his
hands so fiercely he desisted. The cat
ran Under the stove. Ogg drew his re
volver and fired, thinking to kill the
demon. Instead, the bullet struck a leg
of the stove, and with a crash the stove
fell to the floor.
"Bring me an ax I'll cut Its head off."
called Ogg to his wife. Just as .she
slammed the door, entering with the
weapon, the cat stuck its head In and
was caught. There It met death, and
Patrolman Ogg and his wife were relieved
of their fears that it would tear down,
the house.
FEENZEED BY iTNANCE.
Ruined Speculator Attempts Suicide,
Blaming Lawson for Losses.
NEW TORK. Jan. 17. Claiming to have
lost his fortune of $30,000 as a result of
Thomas W. Lawson's attacks upon Wall
street interests, a man who said he was
Frank D. Austin, 40 years old. twice to
day attempted to throw himself from the
Brooklyn bridge. He was prevented by
Captain Devanney, of the bridge police,
who placed him under arrest. Captain
Devanney waa warned by a pawnbroker
that the man was to make an attempt
upon his life. He was watched and
when he jumped from a car toward the
railing, was captured and put on another
car. Ha Jumped off again and was only
subdued after a violent struggle. "I
wanted to end it all," .he told his cap
tors oa his wav to the tolIc station. "T
nave lost $SO,000 in Wall street, all on ac
count or tne irenzied nnancler, Thomas
W. Lawson.
Dock 8trike at Colon Broken
COLON, Jan. 17. The strike of the dock
men Is ended. The canal officials brought
In 130 laborers, chiefly Colombians, from
Panama and other points along the line.
These men temporarily are receiving J1.50
silver per day. and also free quarters and
food. Several striking laborers were
evicted Saturday evening from the Canal
Commission's houses, but a large number
have given up the strike and are gradual
ly resuming work.
Protect Mecibers From Loan Sharks.
CHICAGO. Jan. 17. The Retail Clerks'
National Protective Union, which has
50,000 members, proposes to protect them,
against loan sharks by lending them its
funds without Interest when out of em
ployment. The limit for any one member
Is $100.
iS
MOST EXPENSIVE BRIDGE IN STATE NOW OFEN-NEV MORRISON-STREET BRIDGE
WHICH HAS BEEN A YEAR IN, BUILDING.
1 ----'-. '-'-t-'-i-i-'-l-JJLJ. i. A