The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-06-20
Alephone No. So.
HAMMoND's uIrTMArUM.

up In very few words. Under the con-
tract with TIammond the subsidy commit
tee agreed unequivocally TO furnish the
necessary right of way for the road from
Youngs Bay TO Goble, and Mr.. Ham,
mond agreed Within three years after the
tender to him of the complete right of
way he would build the road from Goble
to Astoria. It WIFI be observed that the
securing Of the night of way for the road
Is a condition precedent TO Mr.. Ham,
mond's performance of any part of his
contract, and NO time Is specified within
which Tho work on the road shall be
commenced, except that It Shall be com,
pleted fwsuhin three years after the right
OF way rs secured and paid for by the
committee. For reasons too well under,
stood TO require mention, but the chief
Of which has been fhe spirit Of extortlon
shown by some OF the right of way own
eg, the commIatee has so far been unable
to provide Mr., Hammond with the right
Of way although since the contract was
executed THAT gentleman has come to
Astoria several distinct hines on the COM
mittee's assurance THAT It WIS on the
eve Of the accomplishment of Tts part OF
the contract. The committee mas work.
ed faithfully and increasingly. 1t has
raised and expended TN the prosecution of
Its Efforts nearly every dollar 1t is possi-
BILE to raise dn Astoria, and now finds
itself under the necessity of resorting 10
tedious legal proceedings 10 condemn GER
tain portions of the right of way which
II has been unable Ito obtain graItuitously
or purchase at fair valuation. Mr..
Hammond has repeatedly Stated to the
Committees that ne is fully prepared to
build the road; that NE has all the money
by him for that purpose, and that It is
lying idle; but he has positively refused
to invest one dollar until the committee
complies fully with Its obligations. Out
Of a general anxiety to have the road
commenced at the earliest moment, the
committee has again sent for Mr.. Ham
mond-he HAS come, but dt begins TO look
Ike another case Of FOOLS errand. There
have been many meetings and confer,
ences' and everybody is about worn out
with their negOtiat,Ons-their propositions
and their counter propositions, The only
ray OF hope 1t is now understood Ties in
the ululmatum submitted by Mr.. Ham,
mond ait the COMMITTEES meeting last
evening. He rs willing to waive the re,
qurement OF the contract uhae ali tho
right Of way shall be acquired and paid
for by the committee before he com,
meHces his operations. and viii 20 to
work. possibly before July LIST, provided
the committee win furnish him with an
lndemnifying bond conditioned to secure
him against the expenditure of one penny
OF money for right Of way or any Of the
costs of litigation incurred in prosecuting
condemnation proceedings. The commit,
tee must give him an answer on this
proposition today, and the question is,
-an they do G.. II Is reported that a few
leading citizens have already signed such
. bond, but on the express condition that
: certain quota of additional names shan
be added before Il Is delivered to Mr..
hammond II Is TO be borne an mino
.haG whatever there Is In the way Of
money or negotiable paper IN the hands
Il the committee goes to reduce the limit
4 liability on ahis bond, and that Its
'eaalty is not enforceable until the road
'as been completed and Mr.. Hammond
AS been damaged by the expenditure Of
is own money 10 secure any right OF
Vay which the committee falls to get
Or him. 1t uOss seem that there ough,
. b. no dificulty in obtaining any num-
sr Of signatures % a bond OF this char, i
ctsr. There Is no property holder of any
onaeoueure IN rOwn VINO doesn't stana
. win a great dsl more than the VI.
loat limit Of his pro rata liabassy on
ae bond, y ths road Is completed within
be ne1s year Or two-and the road mus ,,
c1nulefa1. or khero Is no liability !