The Battle for the Experiment Station
Kennewick residents push for a local agricultural experiment station, but state-level political squabbling threatens to derail the funding.
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Representative Gordon C. Moores finished strong in his fight in the House of Representatives to secure an agricultural experiment station for the Kennewick-Richland valley. When the bill came up for final passage, it went through by a two-to-one vote, carrying an amendment that the station be located within twenty miles of Kennewick. The measure has yet to pass the Senate. Word received from Senator D. V. Morthland indicates that in its present form the bill will meet opposition. He suggests it may be necessary to amend the bill and leave the selection of a location to the state college experts. Although Senator Morthland has been urged by North Yakima citizens to oppose the Kennewick provision, he has replied that he represents Benton County as well as Yakima and cannot oppose the bill as long as it provides for location in either county.
“He cannot oppose the bill as long as it provides for location in either of his two counties.”
This reflects the long-standing legislative tension between agricultural regions in Washington state, where regional boosters compete for state investment—a dynamic that still defines the rivalry between the Tri-Cities and the Yakima Valley.
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