The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-01-26
AN EARNEST APPEAL.
The Railroad Subsidy Commit
tee Urges Prompt Action.

times We have ever experienced upon.
u.s. and with nothing but our fishing
industry to hope for, 1t certainly be-
hooves us all to unite in one desperate.
effort to bring about a Favorable change
Six weeks ago committee of twenty
one undertook to raise sufficient sub
sidy of land to induce capitalists to-
come here and change the present con-
dition of affairs by the construction Of
railroad. At that time no one doubt
ed that this committee would succeed.
and all thought experience had taught
a lesson not easily forgotten. But 1t
seems not so. Astoria has tried a
money subsidy, and we have tried a
land subsidy Of sixteen hundred acres
and failed to get our road. 1t was out
of the question to try to increase our
money subsidy but with the many
acres of non-productive, unimproved
land, it was expected to at least double
the value of our old land subsidy.
Have we succeeded so far? Not by
any means, We must raise twenty per
cent Of the land between Rainier and
Seaside if we hope to succeed. 1t would
be folly to attempt to succeed with any
thing less. And any hesitancy now on
the part Of property owners to join
hands in this work will as sure as the
sun shines in the summer cause a fail
ure of this, our final effort. If the
committee fail this time 1t will be USE
less to attempt this work again; there
fore, there must be united effort and
that without delay. If we hope to sue
ceed this year we must be ready with
our part at once, and there must be
no holding back by any one.
There are about sixty owners of un-
improved lots inside Of Astoria who
have not done their share toward rails
ing the subsidy Many single men who
have everything to win If the town
goes ahead, are hanging back. The
young men are the ones to lead the
way. Every delinquent is an obstacle
in the way of success. Every man own
ing property who desires to see it in
crease in value must at once see the
necessity of unity of action, and must
do his share.
There are many men in Astoria who
are kept poor from one years end to
another on account of paying taxes on
wildcat land, which they have so far
failed to put in the subsidy. Do not
sneak out, gentlemen, and hope your
neighbors will put up for you.
Do not think by giving land Of no
value that you are giving anything
away. You are only making valuable
purchase for a trifling payment.
The committee at present have re-
ceived only one hundred and seven
deeds, whlo the old subsidy consisted
of one hundred and thirty-three. After
six weeks of work the committee still
lack twenty-six deeds of having as
much land as there was in the old
subsidy, when 1t was intended to raise
a subsidy Of twice the value of the OLD
one Who are the ones blocking the
wheels this time?
At least four men in Astoria claim
their wives will not allow them to give
their pro rata 10 the subsidy. and there
is not man who Is acquainted with
the Astoria ladies who will believe
them. The ladies of Astoria want bet
ter times to come; they are patriotic
and if they owned the land the subsi-
dy would have been raised long ago.
It has been suggested that the ladies
of Clatsop county be added to the pres
ent committee and probably at the
meeting Saturday every lady in Clatsop
county will be appointed honorary hon.
orary members of the committee, and
will be asked to see that their hus
bands and other relatives Do nos sneaL
out of doing thelr duty. but will be
given twenty-folr hours in which to
deliver their deeds to the committee.
Every person who has given property
to the subsidy; every person that is Il
give, and every one who hopes to see
successful termination nt The present
effort to secure railroad must get In
and assist in the work. The member
of the present committee are growinl
weary. They have neglected their own
business, worked earnestly and Jealous.
ly for success. and now are getting dis
tcourased Every man and woman II,
ciatsop county must come to their as
sistanep at once, for II they fail row
it will be on account Of apathy on the
part of those not on the committee.
but who are equally interested w:th
THE SUBSIDY COMMITTEE.