The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1895-07-05
TUESDAY
D.B. MoNTEITHINTERvIEwED

Under the following head: Hammond
in Demand. Prominent Albany Man
Talks of Possible Combine. New Trans
continental Route. Connection will be
Made with Chicago & Northwestern via
Albany and Boise, the Astorian says:
Mr.. ID. B. Monteith, prominent bus
mess man OF Albany, Oregon, paid AS
toria visit yesterday. In conversation
with an Astorian representative Mr..
Monteith stated that the prospects were
very bright for good crop OF grain and
fruit in the Willamette valley.
"What do you think OF Mr.. Hammond
and his enterprises, in your vicinity?"
he was asked.
''The decision from the supreme court
IN the Oregon PACIFIC railroad case will
be handed down about the middle OF
July. Should the decision be in favor of
Mr.. Hammond, who recently purchased
this property, the people at large in this
section OF country have strong hopes
that Mr.. Hammond will not only put the
old o. p. in first class repair, but that he
will extend the line both east and north.
Such an extension north through Cor
Wallis and the Nehalem to connection
with the new Astoria-Goble railroad,
which is now an assured success, would
be OF the widest benefit to the William
ette valley. That territory has long been
under the domination of the Southern
Pacific, with little opportunity given for
the extension of its business or the Wild
ening out of the lines of commerce. The
building of the little .. Z. road to Va
quina bay saved the business men OF the
rf 10 af Ill
Rates, previous TO that time, TO and
from San Francisco were very high and
the farmers were saved so per cent by
shipping via iaquina and patronize that
route whenever possible, teaming at
times for miles in order to avoid ship
ping over the Southern Pacific"
Have you had any intimation OF Mr..
Hammond's policy in your territory"
II have had conversations with his
manager, Mr.. Stone, at various times.
That gentleman said TO me that ii they
secured favorable decision it was in
tended to extend the line to Eugene and
across the mountains 10 the east, put the
line in Ii rst class condition and properly
equip it for business. A large paper
mill will be established between Mill
City and Niagara, costing $4,000, ana
large tannery at Albany. Mr.. Stone was
reticent in regard TO any plans concern
ing the Astoria road, but had every con-
fidence in his chief and the accomplish
ment on his part OF any contracts enter
ed into. He further stated that the
shops of the o. Z. would be located At
Albany
'What would be the effect OF the con-
nt-ction with the Astoria road which the
Willamette valley people so much de-
sire?''
1T would give us second route 10
San Francisco via the best port on the
coast, access to the Nehalem valley tim
Der, connection with the steamers Tor
Sound and British Columbia as well a.
the Orient az 3 minimum OF cost, also
connection via the Columb bia river or the
Goble railroad with Eastern Oregon and
Washington. II would, in other words,
the people of the Willamette
valley from the rule OF the che power
railroad"
what would lie the advantage 20 bc
gained from the extension OF the liue
east of the mouniains?"
I'VE have the greatest confidence in
the shrewdness and sagacity OF Mr.
Hammond. 4 g;ance AT the map reveals
the fact that with the .. L. extended 10
Astoria on the north and crossing the
mountains OF the eass from Albany,
passing somewhere in the vicinity o:
Boise. il would meet the contemplated
OF the Chicago < Northwest
ern railway now reaching out through
the Black Hills in Dakota. A new
transcontinental route would thus be
opened TO tide water and Albany would
thus be placed At great advantage over
its present situation, while Astoria wonld
be made the terminus OF another great
railroad system and would be placed in
4 most independent position, both as re-
CARDS rail and water transportation. A
great future would thus L. opened 10
Astoria and she would have direc; rail- /
road connection via Goble and the North
the trans Missouri lines terminating al
50 Paul; and via Goble and Portland
through the presen; o. X. 4 y. and L n
ion Pacific with all the trans-AIissouri
lines terminating At Omaha and Denver. !
The proposed connection %ith the Chi
cago Il Northwestern via Albany and
Boise would make = through short line !
10 Chicago and all eastern points under !
one management The above !
outline OF the possible railroad CON- !
on the future map is not .
only possible, but very probable one. !
Astoria has certainly a very great future /
10 look forward 20. and the growth and |
extension of her lines of commerce are
almost without limit.