The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-07-06
AvIrsING BUT NOT ALARMING.

SAN Francisco, June 3.-Colonel G. L.
Cracker. e-president of the Southern
Pacific company, stated in an interview
today in answer to an inquiry: "Our
comnanv has not decided to build road
into Astoria. 1t seems William Reid has
Given rise to an impression in certain
CHARTERS that we were interested with him
in the Astoria project, but we are not.
Such proposition has not even been dis
cussed by the directors. Some rough
mountains would have to be climbed to
oct to Astoria, and we are not prepared
TO spend money on such venture.
II will say, however, that by reason of
our purchase of the Oregon q California
road, We have land grant for road to
Astoria from Portland. 1t is part OF the
former lines land grant. A survey has
been made over this land to Astoria, and
This projected road is down on the maps
as the Oregon Central railroad. If |
we build it. / suppose the land /
grant along its line would be-
long to US. At the time the Holla- |
day and Willard interests controlled the
Oregon q California there was much |
talk of building it.. Since our company
got control there has not been any ear
nest agitation for its construction. The
immediate prospects are not favorable
for reaching Astoria.
The above, with gleeful head lines:
Astoria Must Watt" ETC., was given
most prominent place in Thursdays Or
egOniGn.
Without questioning the motives which
prompted this, knowing full well how
Portland opposes the project, it is ours TO
say that such statement was uncalled for
and implies even more than it asserts.
"Willing to wound, and yet afraid TO
STRIKE" Portland aud its mouth pieces
look with vindictive impotence at any eff
fort to have a railroad to or from AstO-
ria, and gladly seize on any plea or state
ment derogatory to that end.
1t has never been stated in The AsTo-
RIAN that the Southern Pacific Railroad
company was going to build the road. AS
to whether they are or are not, that is
wholly a question between Mr.. Reid and
that corporation.
So much for that.
The second part of the statement as
cribed to Col. Crocker is absurd on its face.
The Southern Pacific has no LAND grant
for road to Astoria from Portland" and
no one knows this with more clearer
knowledge than Col. Crocker himself.
There was a grant, but that was for
feited February 1st, 1885.
The OregOnidn knows this very well
but prints the statement in full knowl-
edge of the fact.
Why?
Well, Just because it is the OregORidn,
and it is published in Portland, and furn-
ishes what is most to the taste of the
community in which it is published. Not
line of editorial comment to correct
any false impression; just the dispatehji IN
all the prominence that scare heads and
leads can give it, just as a caterer at a
frst-class restaurant would furnish forth
a dainty dish TO set before his prominent
and best paying patrons.
But i
I'm spite of rock and tempest's roar
In spite of false lights on the shore"
the Astoria railroad as announced and
set forth in these columns, will be built
Since the above was in type, yester
days Oregonian has been received: L
contains a communication from MI
Reid which is here presented withou
further present comment:
To the Editor Of the OregOnidn:
Your issue of to-day contains Sal
Francisco dispatch which quotes Colone
C. T. Crocker as saying: William ReiC
has given rise to an impression IN Ger
tain quarters that we (the Southern Pa
cific company are interested with hin
in the Astoria project, but we are not.
Pardon me saying there is Enistak
here. have never stated to any perso
whatever that the Southern Pacific oom
pany was interested in the Astoria ant
South Coast railway; and all of the dl
rectors of the latter company will bea
me witness to this fact. On the CONTRARY
when such telegraphic report appeared i
the Oreqonidn ten days ago the director
of the Astoria and South Coast railwa
then told the proprietor of the Daily A
torian (who telegraphed the report
you) that Mr.. Reid had never said anN
thing of the kind to them that the Soutl
ern Pacific company were the parties col
cerned.
1t is true, however, that the Astoria an
South Coast Railway company has bee
promised money by certain eastern cap
talists upon its bonds to build its road
to the Willamette valley, upon condltlo
that the portion now under constructiC
to the Ocean House from Astoria bebui
this fall by the Astoria stockholders; an
relying upon such agreement the dire
tors of the Astoria and South Coast raj
way on June % (before l became its pre-
ident) signed and executed contract
the company which built the Portland
Willamette Valley road for the constru
tion of the Astoria company's railroa
as an independent road, from the Ocet
House, near Grimes hotel, to the w
lamette valley, work to be commenct
within forty days and surveys immec
ately. and the road to be completed al
ready for operation on or before SepteI
ber 30, 1891.
H. fAI A .