The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1895-04-12
Mr.. HAMMOND IN ALBANY.


Mr., A. B, Hammond, one of the
purchasers Of the Oregon Pecitic rail
road, arrived in Albany last Monday
accompanied by Superintendent Chas.
Clark and Mr., Edwin Stone. He will
spend day or two here and make a
tour of inspection over the entire road,
to famliarze himself with the exist
ing conditions.
Mr. Hammond is a pleasant appear
ing gentleman Of about 40, whose ap.
pearance aud conversation at once in
dictate a shrewd, level headed business
man
During the afternoon in company
with Mr. ]. W. Cusick, Mr.. w. r.
Crosby and G. l.. Coster Of San Fran
cisco, he visited points ofinterest about
the city and took Il look at the
various Oregon Pacific property in
Albany.
To a Herald reporter Mr.. Hammond
said there was nothing in the affairs of
the road that he desired to keep a
secret 1--WE come here" he said Hto
do business openly and above board
and want the cs operation Of the
public. At present we are unable 10
proceed with our plans until the case
of the appeal Of tie confirmation is
decided by the supreme court. 1t was
our intention 10 have begun by this
time the improvement Of the road
| already built. II will cost at least
$4,000 to do this, and we do not feel
like expanding this much money until
we know that we VIII secure the title
10 the road. The purchase price, 500
600, is very small portion Of the capi-
tai 10 he invested III the road to make
I it q paying rpery. Iti&lasjBg mon,
ey and must he developed.
| Ou9 actions are Aaw handicapped by
the appeal pending iu the supreme
court but if that is decided satisfautor-
lily, We will first put the foGd in first
class condition. Then will come the
question Of extensions. ] am Informed
that the people Of Eugene and Salem
are ready to give substantial encour-
agement for the extension Of The road
to those towns If business justiies il,
we will build branches to both towns.
As to lie eastern extension, We will
build that Us fat az he business will
justify and expect eventually to con.
meet with one Of the through eastern
lines. | was told in Portland that the
eastern end OF the road did not amount
to much, but instead ofsuch heing the
case, / can say that 40 railroad Of the
same length IN the United States OH
ers SO much tonnage in sight as does
that part Of the 0. ?. between Albany
aud its present eastern terminus.
There Is in the timber region up the
| North Santiam nine or ten billion feet
Of timber, which If sawed into lumber
would make train of ears 5000 miles
long. There is agreat lumberindustry
to be developed there, and it is part Of
our plan to undertake this, which will
require better wharfage in San Fran
cisco and the chartering of line Of
steam sehooners to and from Yaquina.
We have abundant capital to carry
out our plans, but cannot go on with
them except In limited way until
the appeal case is settled expect TO
60 over the road, and we will then de-
telmine upon how and when that ex-
tension will be commenced. We ex-
pect to build some each year until we
finally carry out our plan for an east.
ern connection. | have had reports
from Eastern oregon, and realize that
a great traffic across the mountains
awaits the advent Of raiIroad.n
Mr.. Hammond is naturally pleased
that a new survey has been ordered at
Yaquina, al d has confidence that this
harbor will receive just recognition
aud appropriation for further improve,
ment. He will probably 90 to Yaqu
ina today, when he will see the steam
ship Lakme that comes in without
trouble drawing eighteen feet of water