The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1894-07-13
NEWS AT THE METROPOLIS.
Doings of the Week as told by
the "Gazette's" Special
Correspondent.
PORTLAND, July 9, 1904.

the American Railway Union and the
railroads are becoming quite serious
to business men both in this city and
along the lines. 1t has, also, caused a
great loss to farmers possessing per-
isllable produce, such as eggs, fruit,
etc, who have been cut off from mar
ket. In this respect Oregon farmers
have been better off tl.an those in
some other states. There is, of
course, little sympathy for railroads as
such. and if this fight was caused by
any abuse Of employees by the railroad
companies. they would receive little
support from business men and the
people generally. But such is not the
case. This is simply an effort by the
American Railway Union, a new Or
gnnizaticn, to show its power and
demonstrate that it is stronger ard
can accomplish more than any Of the
old railroad organizations. 1t is an
effort to establish the dominion of or
ganizcd employees over their employer s
business, to enthrone organized labor
as die atnr over the business and in
dustry of the country. Its success
would mean that business men and
produ may be ruined at any time
bv the arbitrary acts of these or.ani-
.tons and that the entire business of
the county and the transportation Of
cops may be stopped, DONG incac',
liable damage, by the order Of an ir,
responsible man rot having a loll,,r
invested in either Il business enterprise
or "A farm. 1t is because the railroads.
a:r fl! !hung this dangerous and revo-
lutiOnarv undertaking that they are
supported in This conflict, and not be
cause there is any popular sympathy
with railroad corporations as such
Indeed, popular prejudice against
ra1I-oai companies somewhat blinds
the people TO the exact nature and eX-
tTc&He danger Of tie present revoiu-
tunary effort to establish the boycott
and make organized labor the dir;At,r
of tbe country. The country is IN
sympathy with labor, for most Of us
are laborers, but it wants no dictator.
1t may safely be said of the Oregon
n ,tional Guard, that. whatever the
cause or whoever mi ght be concerned.
it could be relied upon to do its full
duty in suppressing riot or in aiding
the civil authorities to enforce the
law. The personnel of the men is
above the average of State troops. and
they are not infected with the revou-
tionary and anarchistc ideas that have
made such headway elsewhere and
have always been SO prevalent in
California. This applies to city and
country companies alike, though the
former, having better advantages, are
more thoroughly trained and disci-
pined. The people of Portland de-
voutly hope they will never have to
call upon the national guard for ser
vice, but enjoy a sense of security in
knowing that the organization is ready
and reliable for Immediate duty.
The seven days of racing at Irving
ton Park, by the Portland speed and
Driving association, constituted the
most successful race meeting ever held
in Oregon. Ii has been fully demon
strlIed that Portland has sufficient
population to support week of racing.
There were 5000 people present on
the Fourth. The largest number Of
good horses ever gathered north of
San Francisco were there and some
very fast time was made.
Next Monday Mrs. James Brown
Potter will open season of one week
at the Marquam, which has been
closed for month. She has an in
tensely French play. Interest in Mrs.
Potter as a society belle has NJ sub
sided, while she is much better actor
than when she left the ranks of the
New York 400
The new county officers nave taken
possession and the fee system is now
no more. Whether the county will
save money or not by the salary sys-
tenn is vet to be determined. Most Of
the retiring officers expr' SIS the opin-
ion that the county will lose money bv
it, If this be true then the people
will save money bv not having so
much fees to pay as formerly. tor it is
Certain ,ns officials never !oGt any
money. At all eve nts the fee as the
(onto,. -, I.,o