Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1892-02-18
BOARD OF TRADE
A Large Meeting Discusses the
Railroad Ordinance.
RESOLUTIONS FAVOR FRANCHISE
The Board Reorganizes as n Chamber
of Commerce with Large
Membership.

under the auspices CT the DOaru Oh traue,
Thursday evening demonstrated to a GER
tainty that the proposed Aberdeen &
Victoria railroa. was matter Of great
interest. At an early hour all the avail
able chairs at the board Of trade room were
occupied and soon standing room was at
a premium. The publication by the
HERALD Of the ordinance in full as pre-
senied to the council, together with a
map showing the right OF way asked for,
had been eagerly scanned during the day
by the citizens and all were prepared to
talk unders,andingly on the subject.
Vice President d. Allen called the
meeting to order and called on Eugene
France, secretary of the railroad COM
pany, to state to the meeting the objects
and aims OF his corporation. He ex-
planned that the company did not desire
permanent franchise on all the streets
mentioned in the ordinance, but only for
such time as was necessary for their sur
veyors to select the most practicable
route through and out of the city, or, in
other words, an option on the streets
named until the route was selected, when
the council would be asked to grant II
right of way on the streets chosen. He
said the subscription books of the COM
pany were open and it would be glad to
have the citizens from this and other
towns take stock and push the good work
along; that everything was open and
above beard, and, considering it
essential to the welfare of the city, the
members of the company entered into the
project, not for personal benefit, other
than such as would accrue to all from the
construction OF such road, but for the
good and permanent advancement OF the
interests of aberdeen.
Judge Pearson said he was opposed to
the ordinance as it now was on the
ground that it contained no provisions as
to time OF commencing operations nor
penalties for non-fulfillment OF covenants.
George d. Allen warmly endorsed the
proposed road and hoped the city would
grant every reasonable request and aid
the project in all ways possible.
Captain J. Nj. Weatherwax said the
company was composed Of home people;
people whose every interest was conferred
in Aberdeen, and he was certain none OF
them would do aught to the injury Of
the city. Thay had put up their money
in good faith to push the work as soon as
the city would aid them. As yet it was
not decided which route to the north was
most practicable and they desired to be
in a position 10 chose the one best suited
to tine purpose. They did not expect to
build the road alone, but had assurances
of more capital which would come in
when the work was well under way, and
he invited all the citizens Of Aberdeen
and the Harbor to come in and unite
in the work.
NJ. J. Cochran made a forcible areu-
ment for the railroad company, outlining
the position taken by it in desiring the
franchise, and stated that the company
had no objections to conditions being
added to the ordinance, although con-
ditions had never been asked before.
d. Allen spoke Of the benefit such
road would be to the city and called on
the citizens to drop all animosites and
unite in laying the corner stone of the
city's future prosperity.
J. B. Mailing, Alex Young, G. r. Bell,
w. Anstie, E. G. Finch, w. o. McKinlay
and A. w. Bush spoke in favor of the
road, and 6. s. Thomas, being called OH,
said he could add no more to the favor
able sentiments expressed, and called for
a vote on the proposed franchise, and it
was unanimously endorsed.
On Monday evening a meeting for the
purpose of changing the board Of trade
into chamber Of commerce was held
at the city hall. Vice President D.
Allen called the meeting to order; Secre-
tarv w. B. Mack called the roll. The
secretary read the clause of the constitu-
ton governing membership hut discover
ing the omission of clause providing for
elections, E. G. Finch was appointed a
committee to draw up and present an
article defining the time and manner Of
elections of officers.
A question arising as to the regularity
of the proceedings motion was made for
the board of trade to adjourn, subject to
the call of the secretary. D. Allen then
called the meeting to order and on motion
the formation OF chamber of commerce
was proceeded with. William Anstie
was elected temporary chairman and w.