in 1903, the columbia river & puget sound navigation company merged with the dalles, astoria & portland navigation company, also known as the regulator line. this gave rise to "the most spectacular period of rivalry on the lower river" between captain scott's boats, the "gatzert" and "telephone", the oregon railway and navigation company's "hassalo" and "t.j. potter", and the independent steamer "charles r. spencer", owned by capt. ernest w. spencer. (1852-1930).