Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1896-04-03
roR AN OPEN RfYER.

ron An OPEN RIKER.
The undersigned wish to call the at
tention of those interested, to plan TOR
securing lower freight rates by making
use OF the Columbia river as compel.
ing transportation route. The value OF
such com petition is not mere guess work.
In 1891 the Oregon legislature passed the
hill which resulted in the construction
OF the State Portage Railroad at the Cas-
cades; The Dalles business men at once
organic "A the Regulator Company, ih-
scribed the necessary funds, and put on
a line Of boats to Portland. Resultant
lower freight rates are shown in part by
the following table:
OLD RATES.
Wheat per ton $3.50
Raled Wool j" 1000
Sugar 9.0O
Salt /" 40
Wire I" $40
Grain bacs I" I" 4.50
NEW RATES. (lS95)
Wheat $l.25 to 500 per ton
Baled Wool 800
Sugar zoo
Salt 200 .
Wire 800 ""
Grain bags $50 !"
The Regulator Company not only prov
ed success as rate reducer but was
and is, a success financially.
In anticipation of the early opening
of the Cascade Locks and believing that
the time is at hand when the people in
terested in the reduction OF the high
freight charges existent east of The Dali
les should emulate the organizers of the
Wa hoc
ted the Columbia Portage 4 Transporta-
tion Company with capital stock OF
$250. 900 the amount estimated by COM
peteRt authority to be necessary to
build and equip a first class portage rail-
road around The Dalles and Cello rap
ids. The shares of stock are made $40
each go that every one from Lewiston
to Portland who desire lower freight
rates for the country tributary to the
Columbia river route can help and do
their share towards giving this upper
Columbia river section at least as good
an open river as is now enjoyed by The
Dalles. 1t is desired that this stock be
taken in as large degree as possible by
the farmers and producers, as they are
the most interested. Next to them by
the local merchants who depend largely
for prosperity upon the farmer and last
ly by every one that will be benefited.
II is assumed that the first two classes ii
they become directly interested by an
investment in the river route will be
more likely to patronize and sustain the
same will be less likely to sell their
stock and 80 perhaps allow "a sell ont
or pool arrangement with competing
lines. Substantial assistance from
Portland ia expected because cheap rates
to and from Portland will be of great
benefit to that city.
Success or failure rests no doubt with
those most interested. The people Of
the Inland Empire east of The Dalles il
: they take hold Of this matter with the
aim that it means success it will be sur
prising the amount of outside help that
will be offered on the other hand IL a
lack of interest is shown it is unreason.
able to suppose that those less interested
will take the lead 1t is suggested that
where no hoard of trade exists that the
people organize locally and cooperate
with us. Each local organization should
canvas their section and report pros
poets of support amount etc. with as lit,
tie delay as possible to the secretary ol
the board of interpretations for we hope
to have the portage in time for tnif
year's crop. As it is desired that por.
tage charges shall be as light as possible
the incorporation papers provide I'll at all
earning above 6 per cent per annnm or
the paid mp stock shall be used in the
way Of reducing portage charges. In or
der to make this proviso legal it will be
necessary for the board of directors who
will be elected by the stockholders upor
permanent organization to ratify same
This progiso we consider of vital iiDpor
tance and hope that the stockholderl
when they elect their board of director
will not only get competent men to car
~ out the objects OF the incorporation
but that they see to it that the boart
elect is in favor Of such proviso.
The prime movers in the matter ar,
farmers and local. interior. merchant
who are not seeking an investment bu
who will subscribe to the stock of thi
company because they expect to ge
benefited by reason OF lower freigh
rates. Steamboat men tell us that boat
to operate in connection with said por
tage will start promptly and with reduc
ed rates.
In conclusion will say that we conf
IDENTIFY appeal to the press of the Inlant
Empire TO cooperate and to assist ii
this movement they can do mnch b
make it a success and will reap benefit
from the increased prosperity Of tn
country and the rapid settlement that i
sure to follow cheap freight rates whel
they traverse snch a productive section
as does the proposed one.
All communications for further infor
nation as well as those pertaining Il
making success OF this importaD
movement address to W. ]. Mariner sec
retary OF the board ofincorporators post
Office Blalock, Oregon. will receiv
prompt attention.
w. J. MARINER,
w w GTEIWRR