The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-11-21
A FIGURING MILL.

Go down to Wilson & Fishers, or
Thompson & Ross's, or the o. r. & n.
dock, to-day, or any other day, and
you Will see large lots of -four arriving
from the interior; hundreds of barrels,
TO feed the fifteen thousand people
whose market of supplies is Astoria.
You will see during the day dozen
little boats loading with chopped or
ground feed for the various logging,
lumber and other outlying camps.
All the money paid to the interior
manufacturers for this most necessary
article could, under better economic
system, be kept in Astoria. It is for
Astorians TO say whether it shall or
not.
Several years ago in one of our
commercial discussions with the Ore.
gOnjGn, we proved that, irrespective
of other tolls, wheat could be brought
from Portland to this city, for 38
(thirty-eight) cents a ton. It was
proved by a sworn affidavit from the
secretary of the Astoria Transporta-
tion company, that it had been done
and by accompanying figures, show
ing all the details, and that no loss
had been incurred in so carrying If.
allowing for and including every pos
sible item of expense.
The AsToRIAN argued from this un-
disputed fact that a Touring mill
would pay. Irrespective of any rail-
road, -four mill, rightly run, would.
pay then, and would pay now. And
when the advent of the railroad is
taken into consideration, the profit
able nature of such an enterprise sug-
gests itself still more strongly.
We are now assured of speedy rail-
road connection with the West Side.
Those who have given this matter any
attention cannot have failed to note
two important and favorable facts:
| he best wheat comes from the West
|Pide, and there is no mill of any consid-
brable dimensions on the West Side.
From the West Side will naturally
tome the chief supply of wheat for the
astoria -four mill.
The AsTORIAN is of the opinion that
he plant suggested-125 bbls. a day
is too insignificant to deserve seri-
us discussion. A mill should be
built; it would be a profitable enter
=rise; that is, We believe, agreed on all
kdes; but, in our opinion, nothing less
IAN 500 barrel day mill should
e thought of; and a thousand barrels
day would be none too much.
If man is going to pack salmon,
saw lumber, or print newspapers,
sell peanuts, it will cost him as
uch to put in big plant as little |
pc; probably little more; but when
has his plant in he can do some
hing with it.
+ We doubt if a practical mill man
ould care to take hold of Touring
pill of so small daily capacity as
R5 barrels; while we are confident |
bat mill of much larger capacity
Fould pay very good percentage on
be amount invested. In this case,
be costly experience of others would
e found profitable study, unless it
fere desired to learn the same facts
y personal experience instead of per-
nal observation.
Such a mill as we suggest wouldn't
psf Sl25,OOO, nor half that amount;
could be built and equipped for
10000, at the outside, and would
ave or should have a daily capacity
from $50 to 1000 barrels.
10 make the mill greatly prof
ble, it will not do to depend
lely on the local trade; -four must
exported, and in such quantities
ht vessels may be chartered. To
arter a vessel to advantage, the mill
ust be the original cha rteriDg party,
ID not be obliged to depend on the
pommodation afforded by an oppor-
nifty to flush.
The time is ripe and opportunity
Forable, for the building of -four
mill in this city. We send thou
pds of dollars away, that under bet
economic conditions could and
uld be kept here. Such a drain
itates against the healthy growth of
community and in this as in other
tances the drain of money away
m us is totally unnecessary.
here need be no trouble about Sc
hing a site; We have sites enough
mills and factories, and an eligible
htion for therAstoria flour mill can
lbtless be secured.