The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1896-03-24
"THE QUESTION BEFORE TIL
HOUSE."



In another column is published val
liable Communication from Fossil. It is
written by a gentleman well known in
this city, and his name is withheld only
because we are not authorized to pub
lish it. The suggestions are most
timely.
The situation analyzed is this: Far
to the south of us IN Gillian county
large section is asking that it be given
trading facilities with The Dalles. This
section is one of the richest in Eastern
Oregon. Its stock interests are large;
its farming lands extensive and fertile;
its business men prosperous and enter
prising. Owing to better facilities in
the way of roads, the trade from the
Fossil country has been going to the
railroad at Arlington, and beyond some
consignments in the wool season, The
Dalles has received but little.
The competitive transportation rates
obtained by this city have given it
business prestige similar to that it pos
sessed in the days when no other town
existed to dispute its supremacy, and
the fame of The Dalles as commercial
center has gone far and wide, over the
mountains and through the valleys of
Eastern Oregon.
The people of the interior wish to
trade with us. Our interests are identi
cal. At The Dalles the wool men can
receive higher price for their feeces;
the merchants can buy their goods at
wholesale rates as low as given in Port
land. The only thing that remains to
bar complete commercial adjustment be-
tween The Dalles and the adjacent coun-
try is the lack of good roads. This need
must be remedied at once. The imper-
ative mood alone can be used.
The proposal of the Gillian county
people is fair. They offer to build and
maintain road to the John Day, and
ask that this city see that the connec-
tions on this side are made, and bridge
built near the mouth of 3O-Mile creek.
Instead of our begging the people to
trade with US, they offer to do so them
selves, only asking that fair show be
given them.
It is idle repetition to say that The
Dalles must put forth every effort to in
crease its trade area. Our merchants
have bought larger stocks than ever be-
fore. New buildings are being built to
accommodate increased demands. It is
in anticipation of an increased trade
that our business men have bought so
heavily, and that increase must come.
The goods we have purchased must be
sold. To carry them over means loss.
No method can be neglected which will
bring a single purchaser to this city.
And now another consideration. How
shall the request of the Gillian county
people be considered? The means are
ours. The Commercial Club was organ
lied to handle matters like this. Men
put their money into this organization
because it was held out to them that the
advance of the city would be the main
consideration. In meeting of business
men this matter could be discussed and
steps taken to build the road to the John
Day and give to the people of Gillian
county what they ask, securing in re-
turn their patronage.
The Commercial Club was organized
for a purpose, and it is now time that
this purpose should be subserved. We
think it but reasonable suggestion
that meeting be called at once and the
matter of the Gillian county road b.
discussed. A committee can be ap-
pointed who can confer with representa-
tives at the other end and full informa-
tion be secured. A good road to FOSSIL
with telephone facilities will bring to