The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1890-01-18
THE UNION PACIFIC.

THE UNION PACIFIC.
For over twenty years The Dalles
has suffered under the domination of a
railroad corporation whose pecuniary in
terests were centered in Portland, and
which practiced every kind of extor-
tion in its traffic with the interior for
the benefit of the terminal port. Every
effort at opposition on the Columbia
was rendered futile by this wealthy
corporation controlling the only avail
able portages around the distractions
at the Cascades and between this city
and Cello. The directors appeared
to be deaf to every petition for
redress, and the settlers in Eastern
Oregon lost all hopes of relief from
that source. The o. r. & N. Go. was
a local road, and appeared to take
no interest in the development of the
country. When the canal at the Gas.
cades was first commenced, producers
breathed freer, and anxionsly looked,
forward to the time when they could
transport the rich and varied produc-
tions of this prolific soil to seaboard
without acceding to the exorbitant
demands of the railroad. The sppro-
prations came slowly from congress,
and the money was frittered away in
useless manner. This discouraged the
people, and within the last few years
they have given up hopes of any relief
during the next generation from this
direction. Eastern Washington, for
mony years under the same grinding
monopoly as Eastern Oregon, with the
construction of the Northern Pacific
to the sound, had fair transportation
rates to tide water, and for the reason
that the interests of the company and
people were mutual. Every bushel of
wheat grown increased the trade of
the railroad, and it desired all the va
can't lands occupied and cultivated.
Within the past few weeks the o.
r. Il N. Go. has changed from being a
local to transcontinental road, and
there is hope that the Union Pacific,
which now controls the line from
Omaha, Neb., to Portland, Oregon,
will see the advantage of being i'm
partial in its dealings with all PORTIONS
of the country through which it passes.
1t must realize that an exorbitant
freight rate from Wasco county will
discourage farming and drive pro-
ducers elsewhere. The Northern Pa
cific has pursued generous policy
towards its dependent communities
and has been greatly benefited there
by. From company which was
almost bankrup. a few years ago, it is
now the leading railroad in the coun.
try, pushing its branches in every
direction, and declaring dividends on
its stock. Its success has aroused the
jealous;es of other companies, and if
they pattern the same liberal spirit
the people will accord them the same
good will as. i,they do the Northern
Pacific. If the Union Pacific
should adopt the plans mentioned, it
would be successful competitor of the
N. P, for it passes through a region
much richer in natural resources, and
capable of great development. The
large land grants through the north
west, which, on account of uncertain
title, have discouraged settlement. will
soon have definite status. These will
support double the present population
and each producer would be feeder
of the transcontinental line. The
cities along the line of the road are
increasing constantly in population,
and in consequence the business of the
road multiplying. Briefly stated, if |
the Union Pacific pursues liberal
policy towards the Inland Empire it
will be the gamer, and every depend
ent community will be benefited. If
not, branch roads will be built to
other points, and the produce which
should seek shipping at the mouth of
the Columbia will be transported to
Puget sound. With the foresight
usually manifested by this company,
oil indications are that the Union Pa
citic will show 70 favoritism towards
terminal points, but will attempt to
build up all portions of Oregon, and
in this it will merit the good will and
thanks Of the producers of Eastern
Oregon.