Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Oregon daily journal. (Portland, Or.) 1902-1972 | View Entire Issue (June 21, 1914)
8 . ' ' ' THE OREGON SUNDAY. JOURNAL, - PORTLAND, SUNDAY MORNING. TUNE 2L 1914. I ' : ' ,v . v : V,: ; ' ' " --' , THE COLU M BIA H IGHWAY TRAVERSES LAND 'OF SCENIC GRANDEUR 1 ' Two panoratnic views on the upper Columbia river showing scenic region traversed by the new Columbia highway. At the left is a view east from the point occupied by Chanticleer Inn. On the right lare shown the cliffs that form the south wall of the famous Gorge of th Columbia along the top of which the new highway is being built. At the right is shown a view northwest across the Columbia from a point above the line of the new highway, construction work on which Is seen In the foreground. , - By Fred Lockley. A FEW days ago, as a Kuest of b'ainupl Hill, I was one of a par ty who made a trip by auto along the Columbia highway. Leaving j Portland we - traveled over tnootli and well oiled roads to th bandy river, and from liere the road unrolled like a bright brown ribbon, between emerald green fields to the eastward until we came to Chanticleer Inn. From the inn looking to the eastward we could see Thor's Heights, around which the new road winds by easy grades. Near Thor's Heights wo left the machines and started afoot over the new Columbia highway. From Thor Heights one can look for miles both up and down the river. Below, to the westward, looking no larger than kittens, were two teams pulling a long net Bhoreward. Soon the men, looking no larger, than mice at this distance, could be seen stooping down throwing the salmon that had been caught In the nets, into a receptacle on the shore. ' To the eastward rose Beacon Rock, or Castle Rock, as It is now called. In the foreground rar Deiow was a steamer moving slowly upstream. As we looked at the broad and tranquil river deserted by water craft with the exception of the one lone steamer, something was said by one of the par ty about the river being the rate equal izer and the shackle breaker of com merce. Mr. Hill, turning to one of the party who had recently come from Cologne, Germany, said: "Does it not seem strange with all the bulky 'freight we move, such as wheat and lumber, that the river Is used so little? In your country Germany one can rarely look at the Rhine without see ing a boat with a line of barges In tow moving heavy freight." The hillsides In Germany,' no mat ter how rocky, are terraced and vine yards are planted In earth carried on baskets on men's shoulders. The day will come when what we now terra our waste land along the Columbia's banks, will be terraced ami devoted to the growing of grapes and fruit. We have not, and never will have the his toric old castles that line the Rhine, but we have something that is equally beautiful turrets and castles and crags of nature's making. AM in Activity. Piloted by J. B. , Teon, the road master, and accompanied by - Samuel C. Lancaster and Major H. L. Bowlby, we walked along the line of the new highway. Kvery where was Intelligent activity. In place of, as In the past, a succession of heavy grades and short curves, the new highway sweeps east ward at a maximum grade of five per cent in long easy curves. It is 24 feet in width, and in many places engineer ing problems have been worked out that ran be seen on no other road. Where the steep bluffs oome down al most to the water's edge, and the nar row margin along the river is occu pied by the railroad tracks, an out Jutting and overhanging concrete road way has been constructed. In other places rocks from far above, which have always been a menace . to the railroads, have been rolled down and utilised to build embankments 15 and ?0 feet high. The earth cut out from the hill has been used for the fill. ' making a solid and permanent road way. Wherever a ravine is crossed great arches or culverts have been constructed large enough to take care of the earth and rock slides from above, as well as the sudden rush of waters caused by the Chinook winds. Camillo, an Italian, Is the foreman ' of tha rockwork construction. He learned his trade where they have walls that were built 2000 years agv and are as good today as the day they were built. In places we came to graceful concrete arched bridges where beauty has not been sacrificed to strength, but both are combined to jadd to the scenlo attractiveness of the "drive. These arches are built so strongly that they will last for cen tuiies. Ope problem has been solved m a very original manner the prob lem or sliding and shifting rock on . tne hillside. Concrete pillars were pu - vtfwn 10 DearocK, ana bridges were bunt on the land so that the sliding rocn may pass under the concrete . bridge without injuring or shifting th roaaway. Teon "ths Big Boss." i Wherever we came to : gangs of .-workmen they all bad a smile and nod for the "Big Boss." Johnnie Teon. He is on the job all the time, and he nas proven nimseif a splendid organ. Iser. The county ia getting value re ; ceived lor the money spent in the con irucuon or the highway, - and Mr, . . - l eon nas imbued his men with M spirit of service. There are no frills jto jonnnif rwn. He Is not on dress oa " rade. He is workinri not rran) stand. .. ing. ' He is like a general out in the midst of a campaign In his undress : Uniform dressed like the rawest "rookie." He is tanned and grimy and wears a brown woolen shirt, heavy shoes and khaki trousers. Work done for the public usually costs more than work done for private, corporations or Individuals, yet here we have the strange spectacle of the county break ing all records for cheapness of hand ling and moving dirt by the use of a large scraper mounted on broad skates and pulled by a steel cable operated by a donkey engine. Dirt is being moved at the rate of seven cents ter cubic yard. As we stood there the fore man gave the signal and the heavy steel cable got under way. "The beauty of it is," said Mr. Yeon, "that thre is no lost motion. It carries its load of dirt to where It is needed, drops sill of the dirt and slides back on its broad steel runner without loss of mo tion or loss of time." We stopped at Latourell Falls, the gift of Guy Talbot to the public. "We also slsited , Gordon falls, climbing back over a woodland trail S00 or 400 feet to where we had a beautiful view of the falls. We spent some time at Multnomah falls, where Samuel C. Lancaster outlined the plans of im provement that were to be carried out A light steel bridge is to be built from hillside to hillside in front of the falls. Here standing almost in the spray of the fall visitors may Roadway That Will Last for Time Is Being Carved in Face of Cliffs That Form the South Wall of Famous Columbia Gorge Economy Prevails in Construction Work That Is in Accord With the Best Business Practice. see in all its subiitmty and beauty this crystal clear 6tream as It makes its plunge over the high bluff. "I suppose you will have a building site somewhere near this beautiful high way," I said to Mr. Yeon. "Yes, I should certainly like to have one," he responded, "but as much as I should like to have one, neither myself nor any official , in any way -connected with the construction of the Colum bia highway will own a foot of land along the highway. To prevent- any possible charge of personal interest in the matter, we have all agreed not to acquire any land along the Columbia highway. To tell you the truth I am greatly enjoying the work. Every day I see the highway farther advanced than it was the day before. To look at the graceful curve of a high rock wall, to work out -some new problem in the moving of dirt or in making fills, is a man's job. It la a good deal better than sitting around a hotel in southern California getting soft., or spending all afterpoon and evening at some club playing poker. I feel aa if I was accomplishing something here, something of permanent value doing something for the state that has done a good deal for me. Wide Scope of Soenio Grandeur. "It is a constant surprise to me to see people who come out here, 'stand unmoved and unimpressed in f ront of Multnomah ' falls. Latourell falls or Gordon falls, and then go into rap tures over the wide spread and dis tant , view from Thor's Heights, or some other commanding viewpoint on the highway. Someone else will be most Interested in the needle like for mations along the river, or possibly the picturesque bits of scenery as the winding, highway gives its changing panorama of views along the river. In other words, we have on the hlghwray here something to interest everyone. Mountains and waterfalls, huge trees and dainty wild flowers, and every thing between a violet and a massive orag. I believ we are going to have the most picturesque and wonderful strip of road in the world, and I be lieve we are going to have, from the engineering standpoint, one of the best pieces of road in the world. If there was any better road elsewhere we would copy it. One good thing about this road is that there is glory enough in it for all. Every man that is work ing on it and doing good work, can be proud of his share of construction. They told me I was hitting the future pretty hard when I built the Yeon building, and yet Portland has Justi fied me sooner even than I expected. It may seem that; we are hitting the future pretty hard in the construction of this highway and yet In a few years they will come from all over the United States, and even the old world, to travel along the Columbia on this highway." Oregon has no realisation of its as set in the wonderful scenery along the Columbia an asset that Is per petual and will increase In value In stead of deteriorating. Oregon la like the province of Ussuri in Russia. The Russians In their folk. lore say that God made Ussuri after, all the rest of the world had been created. He had given all his gifts elsewhere or had no new thing to give Ussuri so he took some of the best from all the rest Of the world and gave it to Ussuri. In the early days before the coming of the white man the Indians referred to the Oregon country as the place of plenty. Oregon like Ussuri has been given the best gifts of all the rest ot the world. If you will draw a circle with a radius of 100 miles, and with Port land as the center of the circle,, you will find a region with' a diversity of products, climate and scenery probably equaled in no other portion of the world. In this 100 mile circle east of The Dalles there are sweet potatoes, figs, almonds, walnuts, grapes, berries and grain. Dropping down to Ii6od River we have apples that are world famous. At the other end of the circle, to . the westward, we have the mouth of the Columbia river with the Royal Chinook salmon, clams, crabs. cranberries and dairy products. The 100 mile circle to the southward takes in the greater part of the fertile Wil lamette valley with its fruit, hay. grain, vegetables, berries and mln erals. To the northward we have the rich, and varied resources of south. western Washington. Located .within this circle is the most soenio part of the Columbia river extending from The Dalles to tha mouth of tha river at Astoria. Those who have traveled most say that In no similar area can there be found the varieties of climate and resources, and the Infinite variety of mountains, waterfalls- and rivers and streams. When you sell your wheat or fruit or fish you must wait for a new crop, but you can sell your scenery over and over again and the more you sell it the more it will be In demand. It is one case, where you can eat your cake and have it too. As I looked down at Cape Horn, where the trail blasers of . half a century ago used to wait for favorable winds. to come down the river with their: batteaux and barges, and as I remembered how much hardship It would have saved 'the pioneers If thero had been a road from The Dalles to the Wil lamette valley, I could not help being glad that at last we . are to-" ha vo a splendidly constructed permanent highway along the banks of ths Co lumbia. -. OOKiV PIT. f X ROSS TRAILS," by Herman Whitaker. Mr. Whitaker probably ia best known be cause of his "The Planter," and "The Settler," and his en tertaining style Is given latitude again in. "Cross Trails." This is a story of Canadian lumber camp, in which a lone woman becomes snowbound. To add to the situation an old admirer appears in camp, and there are tur bulent, exciting times with lumber jacks, winter winds and the little love god all working, for awhile at leant. to cross purposes. But all ends well. Harper & Brothers, New York. Price, 1.20 net. "The Hill of Venus." by Nathaniel Galllzler. The author has gone back to the thirteenth century for the set ting of his novel, and the student of history will realize what a thrlllin? time this was in European affaire. The "Hill of Venus" Is a tale of the struggle between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. The story opens with the deathbed scene of the grand master of the Knights Hospitallers, ' who has been struck down with a, fever while on a journey from Rome to Bari. He has called to his side his llllgltlmate son. Francesco Villanl. a youth attached to the vice regal court at Avelllno. and begs him with his last breath to expiate his sin by becoming a monk. This request that the son shall atone for the father's sin starts the dramatio action of the story. Francesco la torn by filial devotion and his love of love and bis loyalty to his own love, Ilaria. The boy's conscience and his love of duty have been so strongly worked upon that he can hardly refuse the dying request of his parent, at the same time his love for the girl of hia choice and his jealousy for his own happiness form the points of his spirit ual struggle. He surrenders to filial love . and it is not until long after wards that Francesco and Ilaria come together again under the protection of the Duke of Spoleto. . The Page company, Boston, Mass. "The Russian Empire of Today and Yesterday." by -Nevin O. Winter. More than a travel book about Russia, though the reader familiar with Mr. Winter's work might not expect It Mr. Winter's books of travel in the Span ish republics are especially well known, and in them he deals only witr the present. In his book on Russia, the "yesterday" includes a tale of the it ui liio : nuicuviia supremacy, a snort account or .feter the Great and the early Romanovs.. Then tha -work Is brought down to date throueb. th ascension of Nicholas IL to the Shus ter incident and the Jewish Passport question. .:-; ,-.. . The book is comprehensive, and the history: - biographical storr la , enter tainingly and interestingly told. There are discussions of nihilism, bureau cracy and autocracy,-, The author in cludes in his volume a discussion . of the Jewish problem and gives the Rus sian answer to the recent abrogation by the American congress of the treaty governing passports. , Winter begins his large size order with a description of "the land and its people," going into the vastness of the empire, outlining its physical char acteristics, giving som account of its varied inhabitants. One chapter is de voted to St. Petersburg, its streets, its buildings, market places, churches, art galleries. Moscow receives the same going over. Nevin evidently neglects nothing to be seen on both sides of the beaten path. He discusses Great Russia and Lit tle Russia, travels around the Black sea, goes down Into the Crimea and traces the course of the Volga,; He discourses on Finland and the Finns, on Poland and the Poles. The Page company, Boston. Masa. "Pollyanna. the Glad Book." by Eleanor H. Porter. This is a good book for every man to read because it is a book with a message for thosi. who have troubles. "Pollyanna" la an apostle, of happiness, or a saint of Joy, whichever you like. She believes that every cloud has a silver lining, and one traveling along through the "glad book" with her must begin to think so too. In almost whatever happens to cause some sorrow or grief for others, "Pollyanna" seems to find excuse for being happy, and she does it logically. There Is value tn the lessons it teaches, it Is pleasant reading and a sure enough grief killer. "Pollyanna" is a lovable character, not overdrawn, but altogether human when one be comes acquainted with her. The Page company, Boston, Mass. Price, J1.25 net. "The Career of Dr. "Weaver" by Mrs. Henry Backus. A story written upon the premise of the responsibilities and problems of the medical profession as they exist today. The story has to do with Dr. Wea ver, a noted specialist and head of a private hospital who, in his desire for wealth and prestige, allows him self to drift away from the ethics and standards of his' youth. Events come to a pass where Dr. Weaver la about to be exposed for the methods employed by him In furthering his schemes to glorify his name in the medical world. He is saved and brought to a realization of his short comings by his younger brother. The love tincture in the tale adds to its interest. The Page Company, Boston, Mas. Price. 11.25 net. "Affinity- by Maurine Hathaway. An attractive little art book of verse, by the author of "Embera." "Passion Lyrics," etc. Barse & Hopkins, New York. Price. 75 Cents net. GOOD TIMES AHEAD ASSURED IN PART BY FINE CROP OUTLOOK Vice-President of Lumber- mens National Bank Finds Outlook Encouraging, Returning from the convention of the Oregon fetate Bankers' . association at Medford, when he met bankers from every section of the stata and of the Union, E. G. Crawford, vice president of the' Lumbermens National bank, said yesterday that confidence in the financial . situation abounds everywhere He said that - this was due in part to the fine crop prospects and to the settlement of the cur rency question. "Bankers from every section of the state", said Mr, Crawford. " are con fident that good times are in store and that they will be in evidence this fall. There was a much better feel ing, at -fth. Bankers' convention at Medford last week than there was at the convention a year ago. rears Are Allayed, ' At the 1913 convention there was considerable apprehension over the fi nancial future, but these fears have been entirely allayed by the passing of tha currency measure and by tha Immediate crop prospects, which are decidedly favorable. The banks are in easy . condition for financing the crop,- and so far as we are concerned locally there should be no apprehen slon in regard to the business out look. So far as . livestock, hortlcul ture and agriculture are concerned, success for this season is assured and the only thing that remaihs for all round prosperity is a resumption of good times for the lumber industry. "in the Rogue River valley, I was agreeably surprised to find that the much vaunted land depression was in reality considerable of a myth. Land values are holding up very welL Tanners Are Confidant, "In this section there are approxi mately 250,000 acres of tillable land. of which 65,000 are In fruit. There are. perhaps,' 14,000 acrea of orchards in bearing. Although In another few years the Rogue River , valley will be a very much larger - producer of fruit of all kinds, the valley Is by no means at present dependent upon its horticul ture alone. One citizen of Medford de rives a rental of $1500 a month from an alfalfa ranch. Swine raising and dairying are also lucrative pursuits. ""With local prosperity assured, the bankers feel that we oughtto disre gard the wails of -the pessimists and settle down to enjoy the conservative conditions? they now exist. German army officers are experi menting with rubber foot pontoons to enable soldiers to walk on water: car rying heavy loads and Using their rmes zreeiy at tne same time. E Foster Eros Sill O B ra Eis These Brass Beds have heavy 2-inch posts with 1 -inch fillers. Not a light-weight "sale bed," but a good, heavy, durable type, well worth $20 of anyone's money. Special This Week 4 Tl ft -a J!? jj m. . SMI V SB I W - M SUSJ i i liH" saS SB PPnnr A "Garland" for Convenience Irl the use of a "Garland" you can broil, roast and bake anything and everything. There is nothing that can be cooked in any. way known to culinary science that a "Garland" Gas Range cannot han- die to perfection, and, together with this, it offers the latest and most desirable operation features. , , ' The amount of heat required can be exactly and easily regulated MAKES PERFECT COOKING A SIMPLE MATTER. When you cook by gas, you simply turn a lever and your heat is ready. When you are through, you turn it off and the fire is out no waste of fuel follows. V ;'v'"' ' The "Garland" way allows the operator to stand in an UPRIGHT1 AND COMFORTABLE POSITION. The range is operated in the easiest, quickest possible way. Second and Morrison Sts