The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-11-22
wHnN we LAVE 4 RAILRoAp.
An Interesting Interview with Mr.. A
b. Hammond on Astoria's Needs.
She Needs Other Enterprises Besides
Transcontinental Railroad Connec-
tions.

the brief time he had been in the city
|, He said:
! II have just returned from a triI
: down over the Seashore road to See
side, and must confess that what saw
gave me great surprise. The day
was all that the most particular could
ask for, and while there was slight
rain during the early morning hours
1t seemed only to make the air more
balmy and invigorating. We visited
Seaside, the Holiday place. and Gear
hart, and never before, from the coast
of Washington to San Diego, have
witnessed more inviting resorts on a
finer beach. My greatest iastonish-
ment, however, lies in the fact that
your people do not seem to realize
what a grand opportunity nature has
given them to make this particular
place one of the most noted watering
places on the coast
"What do you think of Astoria's fu-
ture prospects as railroad terminus?'
asked the reporter.
Il think Astoria will get the road
she has long sought. But do you
know" said Mr.. Hammond. leaning
forward, and speaking with great ear
nestncss, "there are many things that
Astoria needs before she gets rail-
road.
I'm the first place you want the peo-
pie down East to know more about
you, and when they hear thing to
get it correctly You certainly cannot
hope for the papers of Seattle, Tacoma,
Portland and San Francisco to take up
your cause and say anything especially
encouraging, for they would then be
talking against their own interests.
No, the only way, 1t seems to me, is for
the people of your city TO aid the local
press, giving them a support that will
enable them to turn out a first-class
paper, that can be sent broadcast
from your city and will be a criterion
Of not only your city, but your people,
for both, as rule, are judged by their
home papers.
THE subsidy committee, l would say,
have not half finished their work when
railroad contract is secured. They
should go further and hold out induce
ments for various enterprises that are
absolutely essential before you can
hope to make a great city Of Astoria,
or before a railroad will receive the
patronage that would otherwise come
to 1t. You need more money, more
banks, n first-class modern hotel,
wholesale houses, and any number of
enterprises that might be induced to
locate here If proper effort was made.
Your people, if you hope for a city
of any importance at the mouth of the
Columbia, must take off their coats, SO
to speak, AMI work harmoniously, |
shoulder to shoulder, until the end is |
accomplished. Nature has done her
share-even more than most places are
favored with. and now. I cannot quite |
comprehend why the advantages show
cred upon this section of the country
so lavishly, have not been long ago
developed"
Speaking Of the choice of routes for
a railroad. the Gobel or the Nehalem,
Mr.. Hammond said:
''The Gobel route is by all means
the one to follow. 1t is the only nat
ural water level route to the coast,
and that is an advantage that can
hardly be overes.imated. 1t Is the line
over which all the products for foreign
shipment from the fertile valleys of
the Columbia basin, must come The
fact Of 1t being on the water level
makes 1t a route that will defy com.
petition for that very reason. OF the
Nehalem route, so far as / can under
stand 1t, 1t could never possess the ad-
vantages in respect to grades that the
Gobel route Is blessed with. But /
have not the slightest doubt that the
road will eventually be constructed,
and It will be of untold value to Asto.
ria, opening up, as 1t will. remark
ably rich country in coal, iron and
timber 1t will be most valuable
feeder for your city, but the Gobel road
will always be the most desirable foI
connection"
do YOU think that Astoria Is very
near either one Of these propositions?"
Interrupted the reporter.
well, can answer that, perhaps. in
his way. The man who has money to
,ut into railroad out OF Astoria to
iobel, will naturally hesitate about in
resting unless he can be made to un-
lerstand that the people fully conceive
hat their cooperation is necessary. ]
mean by their cooperation, that lands
must be developed. country roads con,
and as I said before, your
ity advertised and new enterprises es-
abllshed that will make your city
old and substantial.
When speak OF advertising your
ity, 1t reminds me Of an incident con,
ected with two gentlemen who are
Members of our party. In 81 there was
new townslte started over on the
orth shore OF the Columbia, nearly on
osite this city. and the two gentlemen
eferred to. were very much put out
hat they were not given q chance to
ct In on It. some OF their friendsl
eing the promoters. Today we were
irected to where the townsite is To-
ated. and they realized then what
lclxy fellows they were. At that time
rev lxravrr hOf nfffa oto,,& tts.. -.