The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-12-01
AsToRrA's EXCURSION.

ASTOltIAS. EACutesicN'
The merchants Of Portland did very
cute thing when they made their recent
excursion into the country by a private
1uan over the o. r. & n. line. and per
sohaiiy shook hands with their customers
and partners in business. New York and
CHICAGO sent out tickets and brought the
country people into the city, but the
scheme didn't accomplish ais much as
~ns expected. Portland did the wis
thing. Those living in the smaller towns
and country districts once m lfe time
IKE 10 see the city merchant, banker and
railroad man In their midst, where they
VIII be given an opportunity TO size up
che situation from the other fellows
standpoint. The following appears in the
Pendlebon East Oregonian concerning
the Portland excursion. end is clear
statement OF the facts:
q. Woodwork. general freight agent
Of the o. r. & n. Co. who has accom-
panied the party with other railroad ON
r;als en- a special car, was interviewed by
an East oregonian representative con-
cerhinr his company's attitude toward
ths excursion. Mr. Woodwork said:
1--WE are glad indeed to have these gen.
tiemen visit the different points on our
line. and considering the fact that they
are principals in their respective firTns
ana extremely busy at this season Of th'
year. we are much obliged to them for un
dertakIng the trip and giving such care
full study to the situation at the dineren
towns We have visited.
"D,6 YOU ever think how the railroa'
company stands between the jobber ans
the retail merchant? In fact, betweei
the parties concerned in nearly ever
commercial transaction. for every tran
saction involves transportation in on
form or another-and w,1lt a commo
thing It IS to hold the transpor;atic'
company responsible whenever business
impossible between individuals. firms o
communities who are separated by dis
tance? II goods shipped from Portlan
cost more at Pendleton than goods fror
some other source Of supply the Pendl'
ton consignee IS apt TO assume that som
dispropc~tion in the freight rates IS tn
proper explanation, while on the o,he
hind the Portland merchant who falls
sell goods in eastern Washington. f-r il
stance. & apt 10 assume that the freigf
rates have prevented him from oqualizin
the cost o. the same goods from otht
supply sources. II is our business
reconcile these differences so far as po
sible. and personal contact between q
parties concerned makes our work muc
easier. especially when these qugtio-
can be discussed by principals.
eastern railroads have. to some &:
tent, adopted the plan Of bringing countl
mercants to the city for the purpose
better acquaintance. but We have thougi
that It was more important thar the eli
merchant come to the country and tho
oughly learn the condition he must me-
and this trip has certainly proven III
theory.
1--WE are much encouraged by the 7
eepton given this party in eastern Was
ington. the merchants and people gene
ally in every town visited manifesting
most friendly feeling toward Portland a
our company. The Portland uerchar
on board this train have learned that III
and the city they represent have not Il
uhe friendship Of the people in the
terror. Notwithstanding the efforts whi
have been made by competing mark'
10 chang old relations, and they also
that there are very few articles Of CO
merce which they cannot furnish at pric
which VIII compare favorably with I
prices made by their competitors. diff
ence IN freight rates and other conditir
considered. It Is not generally und
stood that Portland ts rapidly taking
place, as market ana seaport or II
LDe IeiatlOI1 VI snip CuHTtcT IhteS 10 a
from San Francisco. Portland and PHi
Sound has undergone a complete chal
during the past three years--a chaf
which has reduced the cost Of import co
modities at Portland, and enhanced Z
value Of wheat and other export CO
modlties TO such an extent that II IS
longer Necessary to go beyond that c
to ind favorable market for the p
chase or sale Of anything which is .
subject OF foreign commerce.
an crossing from Washington Il
their own state and coming to PEND
ton, the first important Oregon c
which we have visited. our party have
ceived the same hearty welcome. sil
there can be no conflict Of interest
tween these merchants who are anxi,
to make Portland favorable market
the purchase and sale Of all kinds
goods, and the people Of eastern Greg
who need such "a market within the b
ders Of their own state.
"Friday we viii visit the points
tween la Grande and Huntington,
elusive and the party win probably ia