The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-05-09
HILLS EUROPEAN TRIP
Two Solutions Given of His
Sudden Departure.
ITS BEARING ON ASTORIA.
The Sound Country Making Siren
nous Efforts to Outdo the COIum-
bia River Port.

Eastern dispatches from all sources are
full Of statements in regard to the recent
hurried departure for London Of "Jim"
Hill. 1t is asserted that two principal
causes actuated this last unheralded
move of the railway magnate. One is
that the faction of the old, Manitoba road
which helped Hill obtain control Of the
consolidated Great Northern is now op-
posing him, and that the Vanderbilts are
seeking to get control Of the Great Nor
thern. To. head off this movement Hill
went to Europe. The other reason given
Is that meeting was to be held in Lon
don yesterday between the representa-
tives of the Villard-Deutsch Bank inter-
ests and Mr. Hill. 1t being understood
that the control of the Norshern Pacific
has been offered Hill, and the Deutsch
Bank being anxious to consummate the
deal.
1t Is not beyond the possibilities that
Hill WIN retire from the Great Northern
and reorganize the Northern Pacific. If
this should transpire, or Hill should
take the Northern Pacific In addition to
the Great Northern, with his indomitable
push and energy and his known kindly
feeling for the Columbia river, 1t is
more than likely that he will effect some
deal with Mr.. Hammond making Asto-
ria the terminus Of the great railway
system. Anyone can see the immense
additional advantages to this city to be
derived from such an arrangement. Hill
is already interested in the new Oriental
steamship line, the first steamer of.
which, tn Chittagong, will sail from Hong
Kong the 18th of this month for the Col
umbta river, anu part Of this traffic
would no doubt be diverted to the new
line at Astoria; division shsps and head
quarters would be maintained here, me-
cessitating the disbursement of large
sums OF money monthly; transcontinental
freight and passenger trains will arrive
and DEPART the cattle of the Columbia
valley lumber and coal of the Nehalem,
and fish Of the Columbia river will find
an outlet to the best markets under the
most favorable conditions Of transporta-
tion, and Jobbing houses second to none
on the coast will be established here.
Astoria, In other words will become
a great center of trade and port of COM
merce, possessing all the natural ad-
vantages of grand harbor for the larg-
est ships of the world, and adequate rail-
road connection with the interior and
across the continent. Who can doubt
the future prosperity of the city under
such conditions? Only let the mossbacks
and obstructionists come to the 'front.' aa
have those on the Astorian's Rolls of
Honor, and less than thirty days will see
the Inauguration Of the era of prosperity.
And that this is just what will happen
is a foregone conclusion. No loyal man
or woman, now thoroughly understanding
the situation, and knowing that not a
rich corporation is acquiring the right
Of way, but that 1t is the people, who have
Mr.. Hammond to build the road,
and by the terms Of their contract must
first secure the deeds to the right of
way and subsidy donations before Mr..
Hammond will turn a clod-it Is their
part Of the agreement that must be car
ried out. The road is a peoples road,
to be built for the people, on economic
business principles, and the people have
not the money to pay for right of way
when all are benefited alike.
That the Sound country is alive to the
situation is evidenced by the fact that all
but $4,000 of the 100000 subsidy for the
Lake Washington canal has been raised,
and the papers Of Seattle are positive |
that the balance will be in shortly. The |
people and the papers have worked day
and night to secure the money that would |
insure them a fresh water harbor for |
leep sea vessels where bottoms will be |
free from the effects Of the salt water |
md can be properly cleaned, and where |
wharf pilings will not be destroyed by |
he terrible teredo. Seattle realizes that |
with her 600 miles extra distance for yes. |
,els coming around the Horn and the |
$50 miles towage something. has to be |
lone to offset the mouth Of the Columbia
liver when 1t shall have railroad con-
lections. and she only hopes to get
here" first.
Let not the Astorians be asleep and lose
10 the Sound the control Of the shipping |
If the Northwest when It Is now in their
grasp. Another opportunity may not be
presented for ages to establish this port. /