The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1896-01-31
RAILROAD TALK.

The air at Astoria and Portland is full
OF Hammond talk. AS Albany is mater
tally interested in that part relating To
the extension Of the o. G.. & E., we give
the following from the Telegram, though
it may be said you can tell little about
what Portland papers say on railroad
| building:
"Wild rumors"-and truly they seem
such-haye been afoat since Mr.. Ham
mond's return from the east to the ef-
! feet that the I0, 600 tons of steel rails for
the Goble road were rot in reality in the
| interests of that line, but on the other
hand the rails are intended TO: the ex-
| tension Of the Oregon Central from Al
bany and Pnneyille and east OF the
mountains. The strong hopes Of the up
per Willamette valley towns that some
time they would be on line OF eonnec-
ii IN with the o. G. & E, have evidently
led the Aetorians into believing that
perhaps after all they have pIace1 too
much confidence in Promoter Hammond,
who, in reality, has made more jealous
efforts TO start the GobIe road than any
Of his predecessors in this enterprise. In
fact, it is suggested that the 1000 tons
OF rails would about Gil the bill for the
new line, which it has been suggested
Mr.. Hammond will some time build In
the Willamette valley and eastward AS
the rails will be loaded On trains that
will come to Portland, it is said that af-
ter all, il may not be that the rails are
for use between Goble and Astoria
But after giving this iurid rumor in
elaborate form, Mr.. Hammond is be-
seeched 70 reassure the people that it is
all stuff that dreams are made OF, and
n OF ft 10 he listened to by sensible peo-
ple. Thereupon Mr.. Hammond does his
Best to qniet the exciiaDle nerves Of the
Astorians by firing at them this poser,
which at first glance would eeem 10 con
yey the fallacy OF the story:
ssIf it Is rumored that these rails are
to be used on the line in the Willamette
valley, can answer that in q sentence.
Why should have these rails brought
to the Columbia river and reshipped
from here at heavy expense. when they
could just as well be delivered by ship TO
my own road, az Yaauina bay? No, there
is nothing in the rumor, and | zill state
furthermore, that IL Is Esos only my de-
sire, but il is largely % my interest, look
ing AZ il in one sense, 10 complete the
Goble road even sooner than my contract
calls for. l have already said the road
will be in operation in 1885.
Gr. Hammond further aSSu reS the As
torIans that the steel rails whish he or
dered from England are to be used on
the GobIe road. The only thing which
seriously affects the early completion OF
the road l. the delay OF the Astorians
themselves IN the mstter Of giving the
road the subsidies that they originally
promised.
Mr.. Hammond in reported inter-
vieE, feE days ago, stated thaE he vas
doing iIis share. and vas acting in good
faith, AID that If the people performed
thelr part OF the contract all would be
well with the railroad.
In regard to the question OF extending
the Oregon Central & Eastern, il Is
weli-known fact that Aessrs Hammond
and Bonner have no burning desire at
the present time to experiment with ex-
tensions TO the struggling railway line
from the bay 10 Albany, which they Sc
cared control OF at 3 critical period. and
have preserved in the face OF great ob
stAcles The line has cost the Montana
capitalists dear ana Il sJunds a. good as
. fresh Joke to hear that the 10, 90 ions
OF new steel rails may be sent up 20 Al
hAny and an extension be b1IIt toward
Eastern Oregon OF course. every town
within 100 miles OF the o. c. s e In any
direction would gladly welcome the road,
and would extend the utmost AID TO help
il through. bat long time ago Nessrs-
Bonner aud Hammond said they were
content to rest Cn their oars for the pres
eat So tsaat any rumor about the i'm
mediate extension OF this line must be
taken with = liberal allowance OF salt,
however much the people dislike TO hear
il. Mr.. Hammond viii doubtless build
an extension 20 the Central Oregon line
when the prospects are brighter.