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SUNDAY Jaxuaky 19, 1879
Chamber of Commerce liep&rt.
Astoria, Nov. 4, 1S78.
Gentlemen of the Astoria Chamber of Cemmerce:
Our constitution imposes upon
your officers the duty of making
annual reports. This being the
close of the first year of our pres
ent organization, I will endeavor
to briefly discharge the duty per
taining to the chair.
Although we are trained from
earliest intancy with the example
of the bundle of rods before us, we
often neglect organizations until
times Of more than ordinary emer
gency. For several years there
had been a Chamber of Commerce
in Astoria, but with few members
and still fewer workers, until a
.rear ago when the removal of the
light-house inspector, and threaten
ed removal of the buoy depot
from this place, aroused our citizens
to the importance of organization
and unity of action.
THIS ORGANIZATION.
One year ago the Astoria Cham
ber of Commerce was organized
with constitution and by-laws,
room rented and salary provided
for the secretary, on whom was
imposed much labor. Many of
the citizens became members.
The wisdom and power of the or
ganization are manifest -in the re
sults that have been accomplished.
The effort to remove- the buoy
depot was thwarted. An appro
priation for the erection of a lirst
class light on Tillamook head was
secured from congress; also, an
appropriation of $5,000 for survey
of the entrance of the Columbia
river, with a view to making per
manent improvements thereat.
The survey has been made. An
appropriation was made for a tidal
station but the bill was lost, (so it
has been reported) by the enrolling
'clerks, and failed to become a law.
RESULTS OF ORGANIZATION.
The Chambers resolutions assist
ed in obtaining aid for the canal at
the Cascades. Through our efforts
in part the revenue cutter Thomas
Corwin has been retained a't this
port. The known -fact of a cutter
beingstationed here inspires con
Jidenc'e among owners of vessels de
siring to come to Astoria and the Co
lumbiaftlvjer. "Steamship lines have
promised to not discriminate against
the mo'uth of the river in transpor
tation from San Francisco to in
Herior ports of this state, and vice
versa.
The Chamber has given a medal
to one ship-master, Capt. Han is,
of the Aberyswith Castle, for hu
mane conduct in standing bv the
ship Pilgrim when in distress. A
regular and direct mail by steam
ship from San Francisco is now en
,jored by the citizens of Astoria and
vicinity. Other matters are under
way, some depending on congres
sional action for their consumma
tion; others on the orders of de
apartment heads. Among the first
is the Astoria and Forest Grove
: railroad. The senate has under
consideration the extension of the
lime and giving the grant to any
other company that will build the
road. This should pass, or the
land be opened to settlement, this
winter. Of the second is the mail
.connection at Kalama between here
and the Sound country. We hope
to secure connection one way very
soon, from here over. The boats
from Astoria reach Kalama forty
minutes after the train has left for
the Sound. As they do not leave
Astoria on schedule time, but two
'hours-later, the connection can be
very easily made if the postal de
partment would but direct it
COLUMBIA lilVJUt BAR.
We would call-the Chamber's at
tention to the improvement of the
; Columbia river bar. Although the
-'appropriations for' the lower Wal
lametread: ""And Columbia river
from Portland to the sea," those
-in charge of the disbursements ex
pend none :as low down as Astoria,
except it be to note the changes
made in Sand -island and Point
iAdams. The special fund of $5,000
for the mouth of the Columbia was
expended this summer. What plans
were recommended for the future
ye have not learned, but we should
"urge congress to carry on1 the work.
X no plans have been devised, the
'Chamber should determine on one
and ask for the means to execute it.
nThere are only twenty feet in the
.south channel at mean low tide,
"Vhich under certain circumstances
may be diminished ?to sixteen or
seventeen feet, an appalling
fact, considering the present de
mands of our commerce for large
ships, our hopes to be a commer
cial port, and the design of some
of our neighbors to absorb our
foreign trade.
Within a Tcar several vessels
Jaden with cargo'es have struck
upon this shoal of the bar, and one
sunk at sea soon after striking. All
attention should not be given to
the river above and the place of
landing the ships. Some whose
position and education would seem
to lit them for judging, say that
the south channel can be deepened
to thirty feet at low water by the
scouring process, dragging or rak
ing the bottom and the current
carrying away tlie loose sand and i
.11 i-ii
sediment.
;. 1 he shoal is narrow with
deep water on each
method was tried on
near Tongue point,
has remained open
side. This
Hogs back,
in 1875, and
without anv
work since. But little time and
money would be needed to open
a channel in this manner. The
original .plan proposed by the
Chamber was to construct a dyke
from point Adams out to Clatsop
spit. 1 see no reason Tet against
that idea. We should however
ascertain at once the ideas of those
who made the surveys this sum
mer and had the matter in charge,
that we mav take necessarv action.
THE CASCADE CANAL.
The engineer has recommended
further appropriations for the Cas
cade canal and locks. His efforts
should be seconded by our resolu
tions. The contract let embra
ces about one half of the canal.
The further-appropriations should
be made immediately, so that a
second contract could be let before
or at least by spring. According
to the plans there are about 5000
feet of crib work for break water
below the canal to be constructed.
It is thought by the uninformed
that the great length of time re
quired to complete the locks as
some talk of, will be in the construc
tion of this breakwater if at all.
Correspondence should be at once
opened with the officer in charge
in regard to using the canal before
this breakwater shall be construct
ed, and while it 'is being built, if
any great time shall be required to
erect "it. Robt. A. Haber
sham, asistant engineer, re-
L ported in 1874 that boats could
reach the foot of the canal bv a
little improvement in the channel
on the north side of the river. He
says: "One quarter of a mile lower
down (below the principal rapids)
is a lesser rapid, formed br a ledge
of rock which . extends across the
channel from shore to shore, hav
ing however, a depression 2U0 feet
wide and from 40 to GO feet deep
near the north shore, through which
the current runs at the rate of
nine miles.per hour. This depres
sion forms the principal channel
at this point, and by blasting a
portion of the ledge, so as to in
crease the water way, the force of
the current will be so reduced that
steamers can easily ascend to the"
foot of the principal rapids just
below the neck, the point which in
a former report I designated as the
best side, in my judgment, for a
canal and locks. I his seems to
have been, at that time, Major
Michlcr's idea also, and the estima
ted costs of the canal, locks, and
blasting the ledge, was 700,000.
He so telegraphed the chief of en
gineers, February 12, 1S75.
In December of that year' he was
relieved by Major Wilson and
next year we find in his report the
simple statement that it will be
difficult and expensive to construct
the canal. Subsequently a change
or new plans was . proposed. In
stead of blasting the ledge it was
.proposed to crib from the lower
end of the canal 'down the river
5,000 feet,1 forming a breakwater.
Estimated cost, $1,544,54-5. On
this plan the work has commenced,
but no part of the crib work is in
cluded in the present contract, and
only about one half of the canal
distance, which is 2,100 feet, is
covered bv it. Mr. Habersham's
idea of blasting out a portion of
the ledge is approved, for mime
diate use at least, by our seretary, j
who has recently Visited the place.
RIVER IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED.
We do not sucrjrest a chancre in
the plan, but to get a quicker use
of the canal, suggest a temporary
connection by way of the channel
over the ledge. The improvements ' dead capital, making the lower Co
on the Columbia river above the -luinbia-a-beeJtive, in the .summer,
Wallamet should be hastened with
all possible dispatch. It is said,
(correctly, no doubt), that it takes
all the wheat crop of eastern Ore
gon and Washington territory to
pay the freight transportation up
and down the Columbia river.
About 9,000 passengers, and
2,500 tons of freight were carried
over the portage at the Cascades
in the eleven months ending June
1st, 1S76. This year I am told
there will be about 75,000 tons car
ried over, but of passengers I am
not informed. It is said by some
in the employ of the steamboat
company that some of the boats on
the upper Columbia have made
their weight in gold several times
over. Au exaggerated statement:
but tends to sustain the fact of the
great cost of transportation on the
river.
SIGNAL AND TJDAL STATION.
No effort should be spared to
secure a signal and tide station
here at Astoria. With the tidal
observatory in complete running
order, there would be no necessity
of vessels going down to look at
the mouth oi the river to deter
mine the practicability of crossing.
They could read its condition more
accurately in Astoria, and twelve
to twenty hours in advance of a
heavy sea. Long waves fifty min
utes apart, which lower the water
on the bar to 16 feet, but cannot
be seen on the surface of the water,
are accurately noted in the tide
house. Much expense and incon
venience would be saved shipping,
particularly steamships, thereby.
It might be appropriate to in
quire whether or not the steamship
companies would not pay some
thing toward maintaining a tidal
observatory here until the govern
ment takes it in hand. A trip
from here, to the bar and back, or
lying at anchor several days can
frequently be saved by consulting
the tidal observer, Mr. Louis "Wil
son, when the apparatus is in run
ning order.
our exports foreign.
In the way of exports a larger
amount of salmon went directly
foreign this year than ever before,
and nearly all of it also through
the custom house at Astoria. The
cheap rates of the opposition car
ried some to San Francisco that
would otherwise -have gone foreign
dire'et. ' .
Wheat exports foreign, by way
of San Francisco had nearly ceased,
there being but 4000 tons in 1877,
but opposition rates having in
creased the amount to 25,000 tons
in 1S7S, this fact caused thie presi
dent of the San Francisco Chamber
of Commerce last January to state
that, should the intentions of the
companies to carry cheaply be
carried out, the bulk of Oregons
; surplus products will be sent there
m future. Ave and, the whole
Columbia valley, should see to it
that as little as possilrie of any
foreign exports and 'imports be
carried by coasters between this
port and San Francisco.
Nearly all -the tin-plate used by
our canneries-is-importcd by way
of San Francisco. True much of
it is carried there in ballast, but
efforts should be made to have
vessels -carrying here direct, to
bring such ballast also.
Exports foreign from port of Astoria
six months ending Dec. 31, 187S:
Salmon July and August 3 563,2S4
Wheat and Hour during the six
months, together with small
amounts of salmon, lumber
and miscellaneous articles.. 742,3fi(
Total for the six months.. Sl,o05,(w0
Total domestic exports from
Astoria Oregon for twelve. .
months ending June 30, 1878 S25Ti,406
Total exports from Portland
same, year .-r : $,974,561
THE REFRIGERATOR PROCESS.
Efforts have been made to
slaughter beef here, send the
choice portions to San Francisco in
refrigerators and "can" the remain
der. The refrigerators used were
defective or at least not sufficient
fn.- the work, but -irom the ex-
periment it was ascertained that
beef Could be so disposed of and
with profit.
The different canneries that are
idle in the winter, might combine,
secure ice this winter, put proper
refrigerators aboard the steamers,
! and next spring before fishing, and
jin the fall after the close of salmon
season, furnish San Francisco
nninures choice cuts, and have
the remainder without cost to "can."
CANNERIES CONSIDERED.
There is much to be considered
concerning tlm canneries -which
would lie idle one half the year as
but a desolate place the balance cf
the year. Labor is higher by rea
son of its short employment, and
desirable laborers are scarce and
difficult to obtain. Our popula
tion is transient, and all business is
sadly affected by the' irregular cur
rent. With the salmon laws for
propagation, it is hoped that the
annual supply of salmon will con
tinue so that when one catch is
over another may be reasonably
expected in its season; but the
iTvirl.-iiirv annenn of the oannerv
,.V , w - J ,
should be lensrtnenea. canning 1
beef would assist, also, pork and
beans, berries, etc. Last season,
just closed, Mr. John West, of
Westport, put up a number of
cases of wild black or dew berries,
which are as much better flavored
than the ordinary canned black
berries, as the fresh wild are than
the cultivated berry. The quan
tity of wild berries are limited, but
who has tested the adaptability of
the lands below Mount Coffin for
growing- berries or different kinds?
A. fortune may lie at our doors in
this business awaiting the energy
of some one to develop it. I am
informed that ground is being pre
pared near Fairlields Point for the
growth of berries as a trial. In
some parts of the United States a
large and profitable business is
caricd on in cranberry culture and
shipment.
CRANBERRY MARSIIH5.
Much wealth and commere'e
mio-ht be added to this county if
this new field was opened up as
natural signs indicate that it might
be. Good cranberry meadows in
the east are worth from $500 to
2,000 per acre. Wild cranberry
marshes extend from Fort Stevens
south the full length of Clatsop
plains, and from Unity, W. T., to
Shoalwatcr bay, and "beyond. The
wild berries are now in our market.
On the Sound also are cranberry
marshes and the greater energy dis
played among the people there is
forming companies to reclaim and
put into cultivation these marshes.
In a quiet way I have been trying
for several years to have this in
dustry tested here, and I am glad
to be able to report that one man,
a stranger, came here a couple
of years since with mind disposed,
and means sufficient, to undertake
it in a small way. Last snrimr he
planted some vines received from
the east, and some natives. The
growth the past summer rhas been
all that coidd be expected, besides
producing some berries; a thing
unknown in the east, where it is
expected to take three years to
come into bearing. The imported
vines have grown faster, look bet
ter, and produced finer berries,
than the native. This place 'is
located north of the Skipanon.
LOCAL ENTERPRISES.
Leather manufacture and ship
building should be encouraged.
The manufacture of leather in this
county is increasing, but not in
proportion to the growth of the
state, nor is it as large as it should
be considering the vast quantity of
tanning material, hemlock; right
at hand. Tn the last report of the
officers of the Portland Board of
Trade they say that parties east
offer to come out to this river and
start business if they could be ex
empt from taxation for fifteen or
twenty years. -The citizens of As
toria could well .afford to o-ive
property, equal to what the taxes
would, be to have a good firm start
here w either one or both of these
enterprises.
HARROW GAUGE RAILWAYS.
Narrow gauge railroads are ab
sorbing much interest in different
parts of the United States. It is
claimed that they are much cheap
er than the standard gauo-e, and
yet able to do all the business ex
cept on the trunk lines. Such a
road is in operation in Yamhill
county, in this state. Companies
nave organized in several parts of
or btate lor me purpose of build
ing such roads in their respective
localities. uitizetis of Astoria
should consider tte matter of build
ing such a road to Tualatin plains,
in Washington .county, unless the
Oregon Central railroad com
pany very soon extends' the Afo
Mmnville road this way. A nar
row gauge would be peculiarly
suited to the country lying between
li Li -v"1V-0,' wove. It is
thought by some that with a little
liberal encouragement by the peo
ple of Clatsop county, a company
with ample means could be in
duced to build the road.
Tonv n a t
PresIdenWstorla diamiSofSSewe.
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
BANKING AND INSURANCE
K. W. CASS,
BROKER, BANKER,
AND
INSURANT AGEHT.
ASTORIA,
OREGON
Exchange bought ami sold on all parts of
the United States and Europe.
OFFICE IIOURS-Frora 8 o'clock .
until 4 o'c.cck v. 3i.
31.
ilOQ
UU
AGGREGATE CAPITAL
$40,000.
lOIPEHIAIi OX? X.OXDOX.
XOXTHERX OF KQXDOX.
QUEHST OF IiFVJERPOOOLu
FIRE AND MARINE INSUR
ANCE COMPANIES.
w, gj&se,
JEST.
ASTORIA,
OREGON.
In Intel Insurance Co,
OF CALIFORNIA,
J. . JIouonTON"-....
Chas. R. Story ,
JlAMnzro Boi. i
.President
Secretary
.Agents for Oregon
Geo. L. Story, i
Office Northeast comer of Stark and First
streets, Portland, Oregon.
Net Cash received for Fire Prem
iums in 1S77 -..,. $335,511 04
Assets, Jan. 1,1878 S578.CG5 &
Liabilities
Losses - npaid ..3.008 "7
Dividends " 1,17 00 5.HW 37
Surplus for Property Holders $572,470 47
Losses paid in Oregon in six ycars-SlHilG 7-
1. W
C iSK. Agent.
Astoria, Oregon.
IMPORTER AND WHOLESALE AND RE
TAIL DEALER IN
(MEAL MCMDISE,
Corner CUenamus and Cass streets.
ASTORIA
OREGON.
JTJSSP OPENED
A FULL AND
COMPLETE LINE OF
GOODS, IN EVERY DEPART
MENT OF TRADE SUITABLE TO
THE "WANTS OF TOE PEO
PLE ALL OF "WHICH
WILL BE SOLD
' g5??urohas8rs are reoucsted to call and
Inspect my 'goods before purchasing else
wbere, as I am confident of ray ability to
please one iuid all.
I. W. CASE,
Corner Chenainus and Caas Street,
-ASTORIA", OREGON
W
CASE
' .