The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-09-11
PRESIDENT MoHLER AND
THE ASTORIA LUMBERMEN
Remarkable Breach CO G3od Faith and
Ccggicsv e. - Pay. % the O H.
s y. Company omcals

The true history OF the common poin,
lumber committees hasco with President
MoAler has never been printed. and Is
not generally known The fact is. after
Or Angus, Kinney had plainly prescnSeG
the Astoria contention and patiently ana
c0nvincingly replied 10 every objection
raised by Trafiic Manager Campbell Mt
Mohler frankly admitted that he had
, never understood the situation before.
Astoyia's position was so absolutely jus,
that Il was admitted 10 be lncontroveri.
| lhle, and. after full consideration and con-
snltation. the O. II. & y. officials par
| ticlpauug In the conference. viz. Messrs
Mohler. Woodworth. and Campbell. con-
ceded the rat, asked for by the Astoria
lumbermen on all eastern points. except,
Ing only those In the states OF Colorado
and Utah which. Il was explained to the
entire satisfaction Of the Astoria commh.
tee AZ this time must be left out OF the
arrangement.
Certain prellminaries regarding the date
OF the publication OF the new tarifi were
by mutual consent. deferred until the
next day. Messrs. McGregor and W. 5.
Kinney agreeing 10 wait In Portland for
another meeting At 10 o'clock TO fix these
/ lnconsequental details. Al the appointed
/ hour next morning the Astoria gentlemen
proceeded 10 Mr. Mohlers Once. Mr.
Mohler failed 10 keep his appointment
with them. but Mr. Campbell was present
IN his stead, and. 10 the astonishmen,
and dismay OF the Astoria men. cody and
lperemptorily notified them that. dur ~ +.
evening before, the matter had been re-
considered and the agreement OF the day
before was uull and void Mr.. Campbell
would vouchsafe no explanation as %
this peculiar and unprecedented method
Of dealing between a great transportation
company and a shipping public The rate
asked for the previous day. after mature
deliberatlon, had been squarely granted.
II was not only a breach OF good faith
on the part OF the o. r. & y. officials
10 90 back on Il. but. for all they knew
or cared TO inquire. irreparable damage
might have ensued 10 the Astoria lumber
men on account OF contracts entered into
or expenses incurred during the lnterium.
The public. unused 10 dealing with the
traffic department OF great railroads. can
have little appreciation Of what mon
strous breach OF business propriety ana
railroad custom Is implied in this remark
able conduct OF Mr. .aohler and his as
speiates. II Is point Of honor with rail-
roads after fixing or conceding contested
rate not to withdraw from II without due
notice TO all shippers interested. Of such
Intention. Yet, In this instance Mr.. Moh-
Ter. through some sinister influence operat-
ing upon him during the evening OF the
day on which he made the agreement.
was Induced TO stultify himself and his
company by an unqualified withdrawal.
without even the courtesy Of an explain
alton. from his distinct and definite
agreement with the Astoria shippers.
Astoria people can draw their own
inferences as 10 what induced this
sudden change Of mind on the part or
Mr. Mohler. 1t Is a clear demonstration.
which Mr.. Mohler's principles must sooner
or later take notice Of. that not he. Presi-
dent Mohler, but someone else in Port
land, runs the o. r. & ". Company.