The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1883-09-18
TEE ASTORIA RAILROAD.
Some Heavy Figuring.

- Ala eAA-s HI L4isss l4lSl FACA M ' a.
lard gave the history of his efforts and
enterprises and informed all and sun
dry that at the time he went to the
German bond holders to make them
take a second mortgage Of $4,000 a
mile on the southern extension from
Roseburg, that he succeeded in OBJ
tanning their consent to provide
means for the construction OF line to
Astoria; the line for which the cor
poration he represented had secured a
grant in 1870, to build the road or
forfeit the grant in 1876, but which
was still unbuilt. He informed the
committee that he could raise the
means to build the road provided
that upon due examination of the
merits Of the line, the construction of
it should be advisable" That it was
only within the past few months Just
previous to that interview that nc had
been able to raise the money TO build
the line; that he wCnld at once start a
party of engineers and surveyors on
the route, and that he believed that
in sixty days he would be able to give
some definite answer regarding the
building Of the road.
EThe committee returned and in due
time a party of surveyors and engin-
eers appeared. Everyone interested
has been anxious all summer to find
out something and no one appears to
know anything about it, except a few
wiseacres in Portland who gravely an
nounce "the road Will be built" ''the
road won't be built" SO that either
way they can say Didn't l tell you
so?"
About ten days ago the report of
the surveying party was made up. In
it is reported to be embodied full in
formation as to the length of the road
ono hundred miles, and its proba-
bic cost-two million, three hundred
and fifty thousand dollars--a fair es-
innate, all things considered.
The impression Mr.. Willard con-
veyed was that should the value Of
the grant Justify the building of the
road it would be built; otherwise it
wouldn't. He now writes a letter to
the Chamber of Commerce in which
without saying single word
about the value of the grant,
which all along seemed TO be the
great question with this party of the
first part, he says that the Oregon and
Transcontinental company is unable
to built the road; that the estimates
are for $50, 900 mile in money, and
$50, 600 for terminal facilities at AS
toria. The plain fact is either one of
two things-either Willard is bluffing,
or he can't raise the money to build
the road. The high figure he sets
upon the cost of construction would
seem to indicate that he was blufing,
for the veriest tyro in railroad con-
structicn knows IF he knows anything,
that $50, 900 a mile is il anything above
the average cost of railroad building
and that 1t is only where long tunnels
and heavy cuts are requisite that the
cost exceeds $4,000. As to the
$3.50, 900 required for terminal facili-
ties, that only increases the appe ar
ance of an effort TO bluff, for Mr..
Willard knows that ample facilities as
far as site, water frontage, etc., are
concerned, could be procured for a
nominal figure, and his buildings need
not cost him one-fifth of that amount.
But it is probable that he cannot
raise the money, and that is the reason
for his declining to build the road.
All that Mr.. Willard need do is to re.
linquish his grasp on that fair do
main. If he lacks ability or inclina-
tion or both, let him give others 6
chance who will.
Following is that portion of Mr..
Wizards letter which refers to the
building of the road:
1 regret to say that the estimates o.
the cost of the line in question, nov
before me are 80 large that it will be
impossible for the Oregon and Trans
continental company, as lessee of tht
= Oregon and California railroad COM
: pany, to undertake its construction
g According to the engineers figures
!, the cost will be no less than an aver
age of $50, 900 per mile in money, not
e including the probable cost of proper
a terminal facilities at Astoria-estimat
4 ed at $4,000. Under the existing
!. mortgages we could not possibly Ia
u sue more than the nominal amount O
n $50, 900 per mile in bonds on the line
i and there are absolutely no means +
meet the deficiency at the command @
either company. We must, therefore
- abandon the project.
was surprised to learn, sometim
n since, through the Portland newsps
d pers, that responsible parties stan
ready to build the line and turn
over, ready for operation, in considers
5 tion of the land grant from Fore:
IF Grove 10 Astoria. | take pleasure i
J. saying that l am ready to do whatevs
> lies iii my power to bring about sue
transaction, or any other, by whic
n The road could be constructed.
"a At the interview to which Mr.. vi
h lard refers, in answer to the questiC
n would he be willing to let the graz
6 go provided he wouldn't or couldn
r build the road, he replied that
d, .1.,fI f. ~, rrl,iao4sona tsnarsn