The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-01-23
THOSE STEEL RAILS
II Is Rumored That They We're Pur.
chased for Other Use.
IT'S FALLACY is APPARENT
Ia One Seateuee Nr Hammond Denies the
Truth Of the KumOr-- Rails Arc for
the Gohle Road,

Railroad development In the Northwest
has been a current topic Of conversation
both In this territory and IN the East.
Astoria IL largely interested Ia the guess
tion, and has come In for itA share "
the discussion. The building of the Co
bio railroad, the reorganization Of the
q. Il, and ~. the reorganization Of the
Northern Pacific, tho Union Pacific. ana
the extensions OF the oregon Central are
prominent factors IN the readlusiment OF
tho Pacific coast railroad map, or moro
than ordinary interest 10 AstorianH, II
the building Of the Gohle road, and the
future OF the O. II. and ~ The visit
yesterday 10 this city of several promi-
nent officials OF the latter company. cnur-
cd much speculation. During tho after
noon and evening, Wild rumofH were
afioat that Information had been obtained
to the effect that the recent purchase
of ten thousand tons OF steel rails for
the Oublc road was not IN reality In
the interest OF that line but that the
rails are 10 be used on the extensions
OF tho oregon Central from Albany 20
Prlnoyiilc and east % the mountains.
An Aetorian reporter undertook 10 get
az the bottom Of the matter, and finally
had an interview with Mr, y, Campbell.
HrncfM trtlEht agent OF tbe ~. ~ Anu ~
a SUGGESTION.
Mr. Campbell said that throughout this
territory much doubt was expressed on
all sides Rs 10 the intentions OF Mr.
Hammond 10 complete the Astoria rail
road. Many times IN the past. have ef-
forts been made TO build this line, but
tho business TO be obtained hna not seem
ed TO warrant tho building OF a railroAr
and perhaps conditions are not now ma.
torially changed n think railroad Will
bo built sometime. ana perhapz Mr. Ham
mond VIII be tho builder He has two
years IN which 10 complete his contract
He n ahrcwd business man. and will
got out Of Il all there la In II. lie may
make considerable money by delaying
construction Have you ever thought.
that the extensions contemplated on his
oregon Central llnca cail for a large
amount Of steel rails9 In fact. the ten
thousand tons which he has Just pur-
CHASED. would about ill the hill for the
now lines he II going TO build In the VIII
lametie Valley and eastward, Those rails
nrc loaded on vessels coming 20 Portland
ana may be Intended for use IN the val
Icy
mo, DO not think that the trafilc
which would be commanded hy the Asto-
ria railroad. would ever wear the rust
on heavy rail. AZ sixty pounds 10 the
yard. there would be In ten thousand tons
almost cnough rails to build one hundred
miles OF road" In futhcr conversation.
Mr.. Campbell had some remarks TO make
about the general business for railroads
in this territory, tho unsettled condition
az arrairs and the lack OF necessity for
pushing matters here.
Although Mr.. Hammond last night was
contend 20 his room by a slight lndis-
position, he stated whom asked In regard
10 the probability OF delay In construc-
ton OF the railroad. and tho use 10 which.
he intended TO put the steel rails ro-
Gently purchased In England, that he had
already announced his plans and inten-
lions.
THERE WAS ONE PURPOSE.
In the purchase OF these rails he said.
and that was tho building OF the Astoria
and Columbia River Railroad. 'If II is
rumored that these rails are to he used
on the line In the Willamette valley,
ran answer that In sentence, Why
should have these rails brought 20 the
Columbia river and rc-shlpped from here
at heavy expense. when they could just
as well he delivered by shin 10 my own
road, az Yaqulna Paw No. there Is moth
ing in the rumor, ana win state further
more, as / have already publicly an
nounced In your paper that II Is not
only my desire, hut IL Is largely TO my In
tcrost, looking at II In one sense. TO com-
pletc the Gohle road even sooner than
my contract calls for. | have already
said that the road win be In operation Ia
1926 The only obstruction In the way
of rapid construction through the city IA
the question Of the location Of the depot
site, and that | ann glad to see. is now
hcing taken up with promise OF speedy
adjustment"
REORGANIZATION.
When questioned as TO the general
railroad si,Gation. and the readiustmen,
of tho affairs of the companies now h.
the hands OF n selvers, particularly the
O, II, and NJ, Elr. Hammond snjd. ~
have been for several months living M
the same hotel In New York with men
who control the affairs of the o. II. ana
~. and Il is quite positive that the re-
organization of that company's affairs
viii not be made upon the lines hoped
for by Portland people l do not think II
can be maintained as a separate institu-
tiou nor that II viii be run In the eNclu-
slve interests of the city OF Portland.
OF course, Portland people would verv
much IKE to have the railroad interests
of thia territory centered In that city.
as well as the maintenance Of the shin
ping interests from that place as the
principal port You might as well talk
of New York securing an appropriation
from congress to deepen the channel OF
the Hudson river, and the maintenance
ef great shipping port at Albany, as
to think that Portland can be maintained
as shipping port by the establishment
OF deep water channel 10 miles up the
Columbia, The o. II. and N. Is a part
of transcontlnental system, and natur-
ally has, in addition, very large interests
In the state Of Oregon locally, but that
everything can he made to bend TO the
interests of Portland alone, is a fallacy
Astoria Is the natural seaport of the
northwest coast, and it's railroad oonnec-
ton Is assured. l can say that only re-
Gently, since my return from the Fast.
overtures have heen made for connection
with the Astoria road, on business from
the interior. looking to the recognition
of this place as shipping port, and the
o. r. and N, is in the procession The
future here is certainly bright and we
are not building this road for fun"
----