The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-10-21
70 the Stock Holders Of the Willamette Val.
ley aud Coast Railroad Co.

ley aoo Coast 6a1lroa0 60.
GENTLEMEN:-The report for the year
ending Oct. 18th. 1881, has not reference to
direct work done by our own company, but
yet it is the pleasant duty of the directors
to state the progress made in tho work of
constructing and equipping our line now in
course Of being carried out by the Oregon
Pacific Rrilroad Company under their con.
tract with us.
Early in july last, Colonel Hogg tele-
graphed to Corvallis that he had successfully
surmounted the difficulties which had been
thrown in the way If his financial operations
and that immediate steps in construction
were to be taken.
Since then not day has been lost. Two
engineering corps were at once engaged and
placed in the field, and the number of en-.
gineers has since been considerably increas-
ed The line from Corvallis to Yaquina
Bay has been completely surveyed and found
practicable, as was fully expected.
The chief engineer of the Oregon Pacific,
Col. Isaac W. Smith, arrived at his head
quars and assumed his duties on the lst of
September last. The permanent location OF
the line is being vigorously prosecuted, and
is now far advanced towards completion.
Contracts for Chinese labor were negotia-
ted, and work began on the 9Th of Septem-
ber. A large number of teams for work On
plows, scrapers, and dump carts were pro-
vided An ample outfit of material, inclu-
ding 100 dump carts were purchased.
We are informed that upwards of 900 men
are at work on the road and already have
made considerable progress.
A very large amount of work had to be
done on the ten miles of grading previously
done by this company, as the original grades
and curves required very serious moditica'
tions to conform them to the requirements
of the first class road laid out by the engi.
neers of the Oregon Pacific.
The most serious obstacle to the rapid
and economical prosecution of the work has
been found in the conduct of the managers
of the West Side Railroad, who have not
only, as we are informed, delayed the deliv-
cry of all stores and material intended to be
convened over their road, but have abso-
lutely refused to carry any powder or other
explosives for the use of the Oregon Pacific
at any price and under any conditions. We
deem it our duty to refer thus publicly to
this matter as an evidence of the kind OF
opposition our road isSalreadY subjected to
at the hands of the existing railroad compa-
ny. What stronger proof could there be of
the need there was to pass the bill for the
interchange of traffic by common carriers,
otherwise known as Senate Bill 50, which
was thrown out in the last legislature by
the combined efforts of the o. r. & N. Co.
and their Portland friends.
Before closing this report of the year 1880
1881, so full of promise for the early compile
tion of our line, and the realization of all
the hopes which led to the original formation
of our company, it is right to refer to one
matter. which yet is almost too trivial to
notice. A report was set afioat some time
since in this county and gained some belief
shareholders, that full value had not been
shown lor the S35, 900 subscribed for the
purchase of the rolling stock for the first ten
miles of our line. 1t is right to repeat here
that the account of expenditures of every
dollar entrusted to Col. Hogg were duly
rendered and vouched, and that the best
evidence of it is seen in the locomotive engine
and tender, and other rolling stock, and in
the AGO tons of railroad iron, with the nec-
essary fish plates, bolts, nuts and spikes still
in the storehouse in this city, and at Port
land and Yaquina Bay
These reports, and others relating to a
sale by Col Hogg to Mr.. Willard, made or
intended, are set going now to attempt to
discredit and BATTLE the subscription now in
progress for the continuation of the harbor
improvement at Yaquina. Our opponents
know well the importance of that movement
as proving the general interest in our under.
taking.
Let each of US do all in our power to
strengthen and increase the subscription, so
that both names and money may testify.
The present board are willing to be re-
elected for this next year.
The accounts are identical with those OF
lS79-l8SO. w. B. HAMILTON,
B. w. WILSON, President.
Secretary.