The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-03-28
WHAT DOES II IMPLY.
The OrGg0lian'S Bold Call for an
Astoria Railroad.
WHY WE SHOULD HAVE IT.
Portland's Big Paper Gives Some Decided
Views ON the General situation and
Advocates Speedy Extension.

Sundays Oregonian contains the fol-
lowing leading article in it's editorial
| columns:
There is need of two railroads from
Portland to Astoria, one along the
water level Of the Columbia. the other
by an interior line. The main function
OF the river line would be accommoda-
ton Of general traffic from the distant
interior; Of the inner line. the develop
ment Of the large country lying be-
tween Portland and Astoria ON route
traversing the country of the tribu-
taries of the Tualatin, the Nehalem,
and the rivers entering Young's bay at
Astoria These two lines Of road are
the undertakings now most necessary
for Northwestern Oregon. They would
add immense strength to Poi-land's po-
sition; they would secure to Astoria her
just advantages as a seaport; the river
line would be a powerful additional
factor in maintaining the competition
of the Columbia, as a channel of COM
merce, against ports both to the north
and south, and the interior line would
develop large and excellent country
which is full of all kinds of resources,
yet remains inaccessible and undevel-
oped. because 1t has no line of trans
port.
BY the general development, and by
the city Of Portland, the navigation of
the rivers has been greatly improved,
and will be improved yet further. Ships
will always come to Portland, and still
better channels will always be provid-
ed and always maintained. But the
railroad is still necessary for complete
commercial efficiency. for highest and
fullest development; and the growth Of
Astoria as seaport would be the
strongest possible auxiliary to the met
ropolitian ascendency of Portland.
Railroads would give to Astoria the
position and character of seaport, or,
rather, would enable her to realize the
advantages Of that position and char
acter; and railroads to Astoria, not only |
would not cut off Portland from the |
sea, but would give to Portland, as a
railroad center, the assistance of AS
toria's strength as a seaport We shall
get the best and greatest results only
by calling into existence all the forces
which the situation will afford, and,
through their reciprocal relations,
working them towards the general and
common object
Railroads to Astoria would make that |
place common point" with Other
seaboard stiles. The effect of this UP
on the traffic of the great valley of
the Columbia would be immense. Port
land would accommodate herself to II |
at once, and would more easily and
fully control the commerce of this vast
watershed than she has ever done. The
company that should build to Astoria |
along the water level. is the Union Pa
cific. The position OF this companys |
lines in the Columbia valley, the great |
extent Of its milage and number of |
branches point to 1t as the line which ma
turally should be extended to AS
toria. The opening OF the Columbia
river at the Cascades and Dalles, with
Of new lines OF transport
through to Astoria from the interior,
which cannot now be remote, will be an
additional reason for the construction
Of this line from Portland to Astoria by
the Union Pacific No line TO Puget
Sound will answer its purpose, because
It would be longer. would have con-
Siderable grades. and would be much
more expensive to operate than a line
along the water level OF the Columbia,
but, above all. the Union Pacific can
best serve itself by establishing and
holding its position as the railway OF
he Columbia basin. as the railway Of
Oregon and Idaho and Eastern Wash
ngton; for its powerful rivals are al
'eady at Puget Sound, with their lines
lcross the mountains. and the Union
'annot compete at Puget Sound with
heir direct routes But II It will estab-
ish itself in Oregon, as 1t may. It will
ave a great field. mainly its own. BY
he extension to Astoria 1t can concen-
rate upon It's own lines the business
4 the Columbia region, and hold It.
The time will come, and II cannot be
istant, when this fact will be seen by
he management Of the Union Pacific.
Az IN osoIoofr ctsndoxS e.orrf.,.- - L /.