The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-06-27
Business Houses Ready to In
vest in Astoria.
HAMMOND SEEN YESTERDAY
Says 1t Won't Take Long to Close
Matters-Big Elevator will
Probably Be Built.

Special Correspondence to Astorian.
Portland, Ore, June 26.-In this city
perhaps as much as In Astoria, Mr..
Hammond and his Gobel railroad project
Is the chief topic of conversation Just
now. The Portland business man keeps
"a close eye on the railroad situation,
Tor be 1t known, more than one prominent
frm or this city contemplates either NOV
In their business In Astoria in the event
OF railroad, or establishing branch at
the mouth Of the Columbia. Immediately
after the big elevator fire last year 1t
was believed that the st. Paul owners
would rebuild here at once, but when
Peavey Bros, who control the elevators
of the northwest, visited Portland and
then made trip to Astoria, without
signifying their intention of rebuilding
here, 1t was put down as a settled fact
that should Astoria get the railroad, the
big elevator would go to a point on the
lower river, either Astoria proper OF
across the bay at Flavel. That Astoria
is soon to get her railroad connection
with Portland and the rest of the world
is now foregone conclusion In this city
and 10 Is creating no end Of stir, not only
among business men, but the many idle
laboring men here, who see prospect of
securing employment. Then there Is an
other class here who keep a watchful
eye on the railroad developments at the
mouth of the Columbia--the clerks and
artisans. This class. while not capitalists,
have stocking laid away and are wait
ing to empty 1t into the pockets of the
Astoria real estate dealers. They see
a far greater opportunity Of quick re-
Turns through investment In Astoria dirt
than here in their own city.
Mr.. A. b. Hammond, who when in the
metropolis, lives at the Portland, can
usually be found in the center Of a litule
knot Of gentlemen discussing various top
les of the day, chief among which is the
Astoria railroad proposition. Your cor
respondent found him seated on the hotel
balcony overlooking the court last even
ing, and around him were seated several
gentlemen who were deeply interested In
what he was saying. AS already sur
missed he was talking Of his pet scheme,
the Astoria-Goble railroad, and he seemed
very enthusiastic over the probable re-
suit OF the work of the committee In
Astoria. AT that time he had received
no official information from Astoria that
the committee had closed their labors and
were ready to meet him, though he said |
he expected to hear from them at almost |
any moment.
Il heard unofiiclally," said Mr.. Ham
mond, that the committe at Astoria had |
completed their work and were ready to
close matters with me, but up to the
present hour / have received nothing
from them to that effect. The gentle
men who have hadl the matter in hand
have worked hard and earnestly, and
shown spirit that is needed in the up
building Of great city. or course there
is a great deal to be done besides the
building of a railroad from Astoria to
Gobel before Astoria can hope to grow
Into a city, but with the spirit that has
been shown during the past few months,
have no fear for the future of that city.
IF I find everything ready when l
reach Astoria, 1t will take but a short
time to close up matters and commence
operations"
Mr.. Hammond and party Will probably
leave for Astoria on Thursday mornings
boat Among the gentlemen who will ac-
him are several capitalists who
ire interesting themselves in affairs in
POUR city.