Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 5.djvu/137

 HISTORY OF ORKOON STEAM NAVIGATION Co. li'T To better illustrate this method of measurement. 1 will have to relate an anecdote: When O.B.Cibson was in the employment of the eompany at The Dalles, he went down to iret the measurement of a small mounted eannon that had to be shipped for the <iovernment. After measnrinir several ways and figuring up the amount, he seemed so much perplexed that lie attraeted the attention of two soldiers who were lying iii the shade of a pine tree n.-ar by. One of them finally called out. "What's the trouble Ctpt" "I am trying to take the measurement of this blamed gun. but somehow I can't get it right," said ilihson. "Oh, I'll show you," said the soldier, leadinir up a pair of har- 1 mules that stood near and hitching them to the gun. "Try it now, Cap." "Thanks, that makes it all right. I see now why I could not get the correct measurement." lu measuring a wa-_ron or any piece of freight the full length, heiirht and thickness were taken and carried out full si/e. the largest way of the piece. To make this met In d of measuring tonnage clearer. I will give one more illustration. "Old Captain" T. V. Lyles. of San Francisco, was a large stockholder in the company, and frequently visited Port land to look after his interests. Once while here he attended a meeting of the board of directors. After the principal part of the business had been transacted, Captain Lyles arose and said: "Mr. Chairman. I move that Kph Day. a purser on one of our boats, be discharged from the service of the com- pany." Now Kph Day was one of the favorite pursers, and everybody sprang up to know what was the matter with Kph Day. After quiet had been restored Captain Lylessaid: "I u'entlemen. that Kph Day is purser on a boat of only !."> tons register, yet I find that he comes in at the end of every trip with a report of having carried from % Jf><> to :NH) tons of freight, and. ireiitlemen. he substantiates his reports by bringing in the cash for those amounts of freight. Now. while I do not claim to he mneh of a steaml>oa* man. yet I ean see. -_'eiit leiueii. that if we allow our boats to be overladen in this manner and made t<> eairy t iee .is mneh as they were