The business men of Rainier quickly named A. L. Clark and A. E. Veatch as a committee to lobby for the bridge, fearing that if no one took an interest in the matter the import of the highway commission report would likely be filed away and forgotten. If action was not taken during the present session of the legislature it would of necessity have to be postponed until the next meeting of the legislature two years hence. Seventy five dollars was raised by subscription to cover whatever expenses the committee might incur. [Later it was claimed that only $10 of the $75 was spent.]
A meeting with Kelso interests was to be first arranged, in order that the combined influence of the two towns might be brought to bear in favor of the project, not only in Oregon but also in Washington.
A meeting was held with the executive heads of the Long Bell Company at Kelso at which time a line of action was agreed upon. The Long Bell Company sent their attorney, Mr. Tom Fisk, to Olympia where an effort was made to have a resolution passed providing for the appointment of a commission to confer with a like commission from Oregon, which commissions will have their reports and recommendations ready for the sessions of the legislature which would convene two years hence.
The Rainier committee went to Salem and endeavored to get a like
resolution through the Oregon legislature.
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February 23, 1923: The resolution providing for the appointment of a committee of three members of the Oregon legislature had passed both branches of the legislature and had been signed by Governor Pierce.
March 16, 1923: The Washington legislature also passed a resolution providing for the appointment of a commission of three members to meet with the Oregon commission and prepare a report on the feasibility of building an inter-state bridge between Rainier and Longview.
Friday, September 21, 1923: The matter of where the bridge will be located is one which is liable to cause contention to arise. It is certain that the Long Bell company will exert all its influence to have the bridge located at the foot of "Oregon Way," the street which leads from the business section of Longview to the Columbia river. It appears that they have laid their plans with this idea in view. This would throw the bridge a full mile west of the western line of the townsite of Rainier. The people of Rainier are practically a unit in opposition to this location, as it is felt that the town of Rainier will derive very little, if any, benefit from the bridge should the Oregon Way site be recommended by the commissions.
The bridge could be built across the Columbia from a point in
the town of Rainier, and a road could be constructed from the
Washington side to both Kelso and Longview. With this plan, all
parties would be given a square deal. Another plan will prove to be
highly unsatisfactory to the people of Rainier.
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Friday, September 28, 1923: At the interstate bridge meeting, held at Longview, Mr. Secrist, an attorney at Longview and apparent spokesman for the Long Bell interests, made a strong argument in favor of the bridge. He presented facts showing that during the month of August 24,199 cars crossed the river by ferry, and that the total number to date for the present year was 79,746. Mr. Secrist further stated that at the present time there are 15,000 people living within a radius of five miles from the proposed site of the bridge. He also pointed out the advantage of the bridge from a tourist's standpoint.
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