The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-06-23

continue to preach optimism, an exhibi-
tion of stupidity that will bear fruit In
the next few weeks, II natural laws and
outraged ethics Of health go for any
thing at all. People in Astoria, living in
these summer months in the midst Of
cool life-giving ocean breezes, with q
river actually in front of them, the
winds of which would blow any epi-
demic out of their city in "a hours, can
have little realization Of the foul air in
which nearly 1000 people OF Portland
are today eating, drinking and sleep
ing. When in the course of time, as
will undoubtedly happen. subscription
lis. for the amelioration of the condition
of these families Is opened, residents Of
Oregon's seaport should. and no doubt
will, respond to the call with their ac-
customed liberallty.
Mr.. Holman's half million dollar esti-
mate of Portland's losses will, think,
prove short of the correct figures by
little over 100 per cent. Judging by the
readers, based on absolute statements
of the sueffrers themselves; hy the daily
uncovering OF fresh details of loss; by
the gradually increasing despondency G:
many heavy losers 1t really seems that
81, 100000 will not cover the damage
done. Outside of the wrecking of per-
sonal fortunes, however, and the blow
sustained by men who have but lately
recovered from the financial panic Of
year ago. and for which they will have
hearty sympathy everywhere. the actual
present loss of dollars and cents il
nothing In comparison with the question
asked at the beginning of these ar
tlcles: How will the food affect the
future prosperity of the city of Port
land generality" The only answer that
arises at the present moment is one that
had better be suppressed, temporarily.
CroalSlng should not be in order just
now, and time itself will bring the reply
more surely than any present prediction
or deduction. The long-headed business
IlleIl VI IOIlldilu, WHOSc WiOlc liltcicpto
are bound up in the matter, already
begin to see what that reply will be.
W. p. Conniway, prominent mem-
ber of the grand lodge A. o. U. w.
now in this city, and well known mer-
chant of Independence. stated today
that the property ON Front. First and
Second would depreciate in value 80
quickly that it's owners heads would
swim to think about 1t. Moreover, voic-
Ing the. sentiments of many other to-
day he believes, unless immediate steps
are taken to preserve intact the job
bing business OF Portland by some
strenuous means, that she will begin
from now on to lose a large portion OF
her trade in this line.
The oft-expressed platitudes OF the
Oregonlan, to which was added yestef-
day the testimony of Mr.. Holman con-
cerning the "impossibihty of such an
other flood for hundreds OF years, are
not borne out by facts or by the Ideas
of weather Observer Pague himself, IL
we look into the matter correctly. All
old Oregonians viii tell you that the
experience OF the past 30 years In this
state points to the undoubted fact that
our climate Is changing every year. ana
YOU can no more measure next years
barometric readings by last years ta-
bles than you can depend on the sun 70
give the same amount Of warmth one
day and the next. To prophecy that we
will not have such another flood as the
present calamity for any stated length
of time is the height Of foolishness, for,
though 1t is true that peculiar condi-
tions as Mr.. Holman points out, existed
this year to bring about the overflow,
there Is no limit 10 the various other
conditions that might also help towards
the same result. No matter what soph-
istries are employed or what specious
arguments are used to show that Port
land never did have before. and never
can have again, such disastrous cir
cumstance happen 10 her, she Is placed
irreyocably by that circumstance In the
roll Of "cities liable to flood and sup
preston of all business" and as such
stands with black mark against her
name well known and understood in the
proper circles-mainly those OF capital
seeking investment. Men actually came
here month ago from Philadelphia
looking for good, safe chances for the
money OF several prominent individuals
Of that city. They did not close single
deal. The food scared the flaps Of their
pockets so much that they shut Of their
own accord.
Mr. o'shea, the genial and popular
manager OF the Union Meat Co., takes
his companys heavy loss philosophicai-
ly. He told me today that the damage
TO their property would be, as nearly
as he can figure. $500.
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