The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-07-30
NOW IS ASTORIA'S
OPPORTUNITY
Unnecessary TO Wait Till the Railroad
Is Completed to Establish
Industries.
VIEWS OF WALTER c. SMITH
Strong Expression Of an Earnest korker-
II Hammond Il 10 Make Money
Ast0rians Mil Make
More.

Mr.. Walter c. Smith. Of Portland
the capitalist and large Astoria prop
erty owner. was down from Portland
again yesterday II II no unurual
thing to see Mr.. Smith In Astoria. and
as his interests are 80 largely ldentl-
fed with this city. It is safe 70 call
him an Astorian He believes In As
torIa and It's future. and Is working
hard for It's Advancement.
Mr. Smith was asked his opinion
about the prospects Of Astoria for the
balance Of this year He replied that
Notwithstanding the political tangle
and consequent business depression.
very much might be accomplished for
Astoria by the combined effort OF its
business men.
we should not wait for the silver
question or any other question 70 be
settled, All minds agree upon the
grand merit Of our own proposition,
which will be just as certain. whether
gold or silver wins the battle. The
situation can be conolsely stated: Cap
ltal viii not bite at an empty hook.
and our proposition must be made
attractive. Thousands OF families will
locate here when we have something
tangible 10 ofrer them. From our
own standpoint Il is safe 10 say that
We can do nothing more In 1897 than
can be accomplished today. There Is
hut one master key 20 open the doors
OF prosperity; II is hard work. The
seeming sacrifice Of today but multi
plies the future benefit"
In reply 10 question concerning
Portland's interest in Astoria. Mr..
smith said; such OF Portlands bus
mess men as are well posted about
the mouth OF the river display keen
interest in this city and are friendly
TO It's development, Portland will put
great deal Of money into Astoria
during the next few years. II II be
sought In the right spirit, There are
many In Portland who do not yet
realize that the Astoria railroad is be-
ing built They should be fully posted
and offered every facility for profta-
BILE investment here.
II am told that Mr.. Hammond pro-
poses the construction OF a great saw
mill and dry dock, II Astorlans will
participate In the enterprise. l have
not spoken with Mr., Hammond about
II. but II the report is correct. we
should not hesitate single day TO
Join In movement OF such tremen-
dous advantage TO the city. AS an
investment II should pay big dividents
and as an impetus and entering wedge
OF permanent prosperity, Its benefit
will be incalculable."
II have heard Il said that Mr.. Ham
mond would make a great deal of
money for himself from these improve
ments Well. / should certainly hope
he would: he deserves all he can ever
make and a great deal more. But
what has that to do with our own
profits and benetits. which must great
ly exceed his owng II IL Is a good
thing for Hammond, II is surely
better thing for Astoria. Self inter-
est prompts that every encouragement
be given to the creation OF new indus
tries. and cordial cooperation with the
ablest man that ever came to Astoria.
"Some are short Of cash, know
that / am and think many are in
the same boat But that is all the
more reason for helping Mr. Ham,
mond inaugurate these great attrac-
tlons for men and money. VIII we
have any more cash by delaying?
Why wait for next year? The time
to strike is Just now. during the con-
structlon OF better railroad than we
ever hoped for It is not a question
of convenience; II we want success we
must get in and dig II property
owners are short Of money, they have
security and the money can be raised
somehow We must show the nerve,
the spirit and the energy which alone
can place Astoria in the front and
justify the construction OF our road.
When the first train comes through
Tongue Point there must be something
here that is worthy OF the railroad,
the city and the people, believe the
Astorians win see this as l do, and
all pull together to make the most
Of this splendid opportunity"