The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-12-05
Active Work on Astoria Line
Begins Next Spring.
The Projectors Say the Money is
Ready and They Will Push Con-
strUction With Rapidity.
(Oregonlan.l

agreement just entered into for the con-
struction of a railroad from Astoria
and a connection with the Northern Pa
cihc road, at GoSel, left last night for
the East over the o. r. and N. line.
The construction of the long projected
line Of railroad from Astoria eastward
to connect that seaport city with the
northwest metropolis, appears to be
now an assured fact While 1t was
announced in the press dispatches that
the contract had been signed by A. B.
Hammond, that gentleman is only one
of several who are interested in the en-
terprise. His associates are his part
ner, e. L. Bonner, Of Missoula, Mon
tana, ]. c. Stanton, H. l. Kimball, and
j. T. Campbell, of Detroit, Mich.
The name of the new line will be the
Columbia River and Astoria Railway
Company, and its completion may be
expected within another 'year. Mr..
Stanton, who has been the moving spir-
1t of the project for the past year and
a half, is one of the pioneer railroad
atlons extending through all the New
England and many of the Middle, West,
and Southern stai.es. during the past
50 years. Speaking of the Astoria road
his latest project-he said to an Ore
gonian representative yesterday:
'You may rest assured that the road
will be constructed as rapidly as pos
sible. With the exception of about IL
miles the rlght-of-way has been OBJ
tained, and there will be no trouble in
obtaining the remainder. The line has
been fully surveyed and located by
Mr.. w. H. Kennedy, now chief engineer
of the o. r. and N. Company. In all
probability he will occupy similar
position with our company Very lit
tie tine has yet been devoted to the
discussion of details, but undoubtedly
Messrs. Hammond and Bonner will
transfer their contract to a construc-
ltion company, to which the work of
the railway company will also be trans
ferred. This construction company win
also have the full management and
Improvement OF the lands granted as
subsidy.
THE many details necessary to be
arranged to secure manufacturing en-
terprises., etc, now in contemplation. |
are by far too large to be determined |
upon without the most mature delib- |
Grafton. With other parties Interested,
1 leave tonight for New York City,
where all matters pertaining to the
building of the road and other pro-
jects will be carefully and fully con-
Until our plans are consum-
mated, it will be impossible to give
out to the public all that is intended to
be DONE
THE contract entered into provides
that the headquarters of the company
shall be at Astoria, and all disburse-
merits shall be made at that place.
The estimated cost of the road, includ-
ing the purchase of the Seashore road,
Just made, will be about two millions
Df dollars, and other improvements in
will neeessitate the ex-
Dendlture of five times as much. While
we are given 23 months in which to
complete the road in all probability
NE work will be completed with in a
,ear from the time of commencement.
rhe people of Oregon doubtless fully
understand the unwisdom of building
'ailroads during the winter months, and
10 far a sstaring the work is con-
,erned, we will make haste slowly. {
ACTIVE operations will commence I
,arly next spring about March, think,
md, when we begin work, we hope to
ind the needed labor here in Oregon. !,
t will give employment to a great
many laborers, while the construction
5 carried forward, and we are in favor
f giving the work to those who may >
,e unemployed at the time. So far as
,hinese labor is concerned, L expert Il
nented with that once in the South, Y
nd it was not satisfactory. If suit ~
bile while labor can be procured, we
viii certainly give it preferertee. ii
II hope to return to Oregon in about v
ne month, and remain as long as my III
resence is required. This is my sixth
lsit to Portland during the past Is &
months, exclusively to this business; h
u IspBuoo lou op I laq1 sss no6 os
r-ip across the continent ahardship.
0 not expect to remain in Oregon dur
1g all the time, but hope to be able >
, do my part from the East. Only
Dday received a telegram stating it
ras desired to have me appointed as
eceiver Of one of the Russell Sage n
Jads in Massachusetts, but 1 will have
} decline, as want to devote my whole h
ttention to the Astoria road. While
m absent from Oregon. Mr.. Kimball 81
ill represent me here, as we'll as others ts
/ interest p
$50 far as money is concerned to Ia
uiId the proposed railroad. can only
epeat what have always said from
ne time OF ny frs- visit to Portland
ne money is ready" II
Mr. A. B. Hammond. the Montana p
,r,sisllist who only OF late became \,
ms iouous figure in the Astoria rail- Q
al deal. indorsed what Mr.. Stanton IN
ad said relative TO the project- He D
rsgarded as one os the shrewdsEt
nanciers Of the Pasiic cnst. a man
in ind0nitable viii. who has beenl