Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-04-20

credit for it or mott to adopt policy
that would facilitate the settlement Of
the vas. country tributary to the Col
umbia river, and thus build up Port
land and advance the interests Of the
state. The present prosperity of the
settlers in that section, together with
the prosperity Of Portland, is the best
endorsement we could ask. In fixing
our rates from time to time We have dis
eliminated in favor of the farmers and
producers in order to inluce the settle
ment of the country, thus enabling them
to net more money on The productions
of their farms than any other section OF
the country; in other words, we have
made special rates for up freight on
farming implements, farm machinery,
etc. ETC., and the lo,oest possible down
rate upon the productions of the farm.
Our rates on wheat, -four. oats and Der.
ley, from Lewiston Con Snake river) to
Portland is only So per ton, the di.
lance being 40l miles, employing three
aud sometimes four steamboats, and two
railroads to transport said freight, and
and necessitatng it's being handled ten
and often twelve times. From Walula
to Portland a distance Of 240 miles with
ten landings, we charge only Sc per
ton. Our company built several fine
steamboats, and three large wharf boats
last season, besides making extensive
additions to the rolling stock Of their
railroads. in order to move the increos.
ed products Of the country with the ut
most dispatch, thus enabling shippers
to get their wheat out of the country
and take advantage of the market. At
the close Of the season there were but
few hundred tons of wheat at Wulla
Wallu awaiting shipment. At this time
we are building four additional steam.
boats Of large capacity for accommoda
ton of freight aud passengers, for the
upper river trade.
Having said this much, suppose we
now make some comparisons as to the
rates Of charges. The Oregon & Cali
iornia Railroad Company, whose road
has been in operation about seven years,
and which runs nearly parallel with the
Willamette river, according to the ad.
rtised freight tariff of that com pany.
are now charging from Eugene CITY to
Portland Ga distance of IA miles (S6
per ton, with only two landings, aud
no transfer and with three competing
lines Of steamboats, on the river, while
the 0. s. N. Co., (the "grinding mo
nopoly') FROM Wallula to Portland.
using three steamboats, aud two railroad,
and handling the freight ten times.
with no competition) for distance Of
24O miles, charge what? just the same
price, viz, So per ton. | am aware it
is claimed VIC charge high rates on up
ireights, but suppose we make similar
comparison. The railroad company
charge from. Portland to Eugene CITY
(two haudlings and distance 124 mnles)
SIS per ton, while the 0. s. N. Co..
from Portland to Dalles (distance III
miles employing two steamboats, and
one railroad, with six landings, charge
$40 per tod; or, from Portland to Wal.
lula, with three steamboats,, two rail
roads aud ten landings, a distance o.
24O miles, S25 per ton. I suppose it
would hardly be claimed that with two
railroads through the valley, and three
lines OF steamboats, on the river, all
competing for the business, that the
transportation compani's were ''robbing
the people of the Willamette valley to
any great extent; yet the 90. s. N.
Co." with no competition, has notwi,h
standing the obstacles above referred to,
adopted p Icy that places Eastern
Oregon on par with the head Of the
Willamette valley. | submit that state
ment for the consideration of such as
have the true interests of our state at
heart. Sc. REED,
Vice President O. s. N. Co.