Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 16.djvu/130



118 MARSHALL N. DANA

The Teal was burned October 23, 1907, but rebuilt on the old hull in time to be operating again by April 20, 1908. The company also put the Inland Empire and Twin Cities into upper river service in 1908.

Frank J. Smith was selected as first superintendent of the Open River line, and in December, 1906, he made his first report. In it he showed full appreciation of the purposes of the service, saying:

"During the present season of the fall of 1906, the Open River Transportation Company handled considerable grain at a rate ranging from 30 cents to 40 cents per ton less than rates in effect on rail line.

"Merchandise was transported to river towns and also to interior points that were reached by wagon haul. The con- signees at river points received their shipments at a saving of 30 to 50 per cent below rail rates to the same point. Interior towns have used the water haul for over 250 miles and hauled by team 20 miles inland at a saving over rail rates.

"The farmers and merchants on the banks of the river have received large, benefits. It has enabled them not only to market their produce locally but to procure supplies promptly and at reasonable prices. Unused land that has been in pasturage for years is now being farmed since the boats have given the purchaser means of transportation. A number of new towns have been started along the banks of the river at points where wagon roads reach out to the farm lands of the interior. Old towns that have retrograded since the early steamboat days have been inspired with a new lease of life.

"Electric lines from the interior reaching to the Columbia and Snake rivers have been organized and in many cases much of the right of way has been freely given.

"The open river movement has been directly responsible for these projects. The names and locations of roads are as fol- lows: Spokane Inland Railway from Spokane to the Snake river ; Walla Walla and Columbia Electric Railway, from Day- ton to Wallula on the Columbia ; Bickelton and Northern Rail- way, from a point near Mount Adams to Alderdale on the