The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-12-03

PAL DuSllleSS nleil the OLuer days We were
to learn that our mechanics were
unable to compete with.those OF Portland, |
in the execution of work re- /
qniring iron. The reason given for this I
was, that the wholesalers of Portland fur |
nfSlIed the raw material TO Portland con- |
cilasers in this city. AS an instance of
the truth of this statement, he cited us to n
bill for bridge work furnished by a Port
land firm, in whief. finished work was fur
nishea at exactly what our friend had TO
pay for tire raw material to the WholesaI-
ers in Portland. This may be all right,
as it enables Portland firms to get away
with all the large jobs, at the same time
it does not set well with our mechanics,
who desire to make an honest living by
their several trades. Our mechanics and
business men lave no Immediate means BY
which to protect themselves, except to. en-
ter an earnest protest against such dis
eriiniratfon. 1t is true they might send
their orders to San Francisco. bus even
could they purchase goods there at the
same rates paid by the wholesaler, thing
hardly to- IJe expected, the high rate of
freignts now prevailing would leave very
little margin in their favor.
The main trouble is. We have but one
highway open to the markets of the world,
and that leads out of the mouth of the
Columbia river. We need, this valley
needs, another outlet, a competing way.
and nature offers us Yaquina Bay, and
all our energies should be engaged in Sc
curing the improvement of that outlet.
Appropriation has been secured for the inn
provement of the bar at Yaqnina, thus
placing it on the calendar with the other
undertakings of the Government, and
thereby insuring the necessary annual ap-
preparations for pushing the work TO COM
pletion. Now. then, to secure the great
benefits of the improvement of Yaquina
Bay to the valley counties, we must have
railroad leading from the valley to convey
our surplus products to that point. from
whence they can be shipped to the marts
of the world. A road has been projected,
and its bonds are now rapidly selling in
the East. that has for its terminal points,
Yaquiua Bay on the west. and Boise City
on the East, which will afford us Quick
and cheap transportation facilities to salt
water and also to the Eastern States, as,
hy the time our road is completed to Boise
City. road now constructing from Chica-
go will he there to meet it. With the
completion Of this road Linn county farm
ers can ship their produce from tins city
on Monday and have it landed in San
FraEcisco If they desire. Tuesday even
ing. at cost of 50 30 per ton, rs the high
est figure, and it may be at even less fig
ure. Every scheme that could be devised
to kill the enterprise has been resorted to.
and since it has been found that the enter
prise is too strong to be killed by lying.
every device has been and still is being
used to delay and clog and hinder the
building of the road. We are assured,
however, that no matter how much the
enemies OF the Willamette valley and its
enterprises may lie and misstate the value
of her products and industries, the railroad
will be built, large and generous slice
during the coming season. and we will
then be freed from paying tribute to the
monopolies that have lived gorgeously and
stuffed themselves with the tat of this rich
valley. and become bIoated, arrogant and
puffed up with the riches thus drawn from
us without any adequate return. 1t is the
duty of every citizen of the valley to aid
this enterprise in all honorable ways, that
| the desired end may the sooner be accom-
| pIished. Speak abort it, write about it,
urge the necessity of it at all times, and
when the time comes help it to the utmost
of your ability. Don't let the matter rest,
but keep the ball rolling.