The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-10-01
JUDGE GRAY AND THE EAST ORE
CONAN.

Some time ago Judge Gray addressed a
letter to the East oregouian on the sub
Jet OF the Astoria common point con-
troeersy. In order to insure its insertion
in tha, paper, the letter was enclosed 70
Judge Martin, Of PendletOr. with the re-
ques. tina, he see that it was published.
The letter was as follows:
ASTORIA. Or. Sept ls. IS9S-To the Ed
itor:-The beginning OF the recent con-
troyersy IN regard 10 the purposes Of the
citizens OF Astoria originated with 4 reg
ular correspondent Of the oregonian and
was sent TO that paper in response to di-
rect orders from its manager Hardly
person In Astoria az that time approved
the sentiments expressed. or the manner
OF launching them. Developments since
that time have. by the action OF the o.
r. & y. Company In refusing the just
claim q he common poiat rate on lumber,
which II is claimed was dictated by
prominent business men OF Portland.
caused feeling OF resentment and de-
termination TO rebel against such injus-
tice. II is thought that the managers OF
the Oregonian became frightened at the
wind and blum Of the interviewer. and al
the instigation Of the o. r. & y. Company
and the wheat pool OF Portland built "a
man Of straw" in assuming 10 be the
friend OF the producers OF oregon and
Washington. BY distorting It's own, and
the Asioran's statements. II has led some
intelligent persons TO believe that the
people OF Astoria and the newspapers Of
this city oppose the Improvement Of the
Columbia and Willamette rivers. Every
good citizen OF Astoria, l assure you,
looks forward even more anXiOusly than
you. 10 the day when steamers and barges
loaded with lumber. wood, fish. salt, coal
and 50 forth. will daily leave the wharves
Of Astoria for Eugene. Lewiston and all
the way ports, returning loaded with
wheat, -four. wool. cattle. ores. granite
and fruit or all kinds. Until this can be |
done. neither eastern. southern nor west
ern Oregon can be fully developed. As
torians desire now. and always have /
worked faithfully for the Improvements \
OF the rivers and harbors OF our state; 10 I
permanently improve the mouth Of the /
Columbia river, so that the largest ships ,
and cheapest carriers could enter the .
Columbia river at all times: TO secure the .
permanent improvement Of the Columbia .
and willamette rivers in a manner that 4
will benefit the whole state; to develop
the natural advantages thereby, benetiting
ourselves and the people tributary to the
Columbia river.
Astorians never opposed any improve
ment Of the rivers until emissaries were
sent TO Washington about eight years
ago to divert appropriations for the
mouth Of the Columbia river and the Cas-
cades to the deepening Of the ship chan
mel for the benefit Of Portland The in
terest Of Astoria, Portland or the Astoria
& Columbia River Railroad is not the only
consideration. What the producers Of the
Columbia and Willamette river valleys
should know is: Why wheat in Portland
Is worth from to 10 cents per bushel
less than 1t is in San Francisco. Why
is II necessary to ship nearly one-sixth Of
the wheat sent out Of the Columbia river
to San Francisco by the o. r. & n COM
panys steamers and there put on smaller
ships for Europe. then come to the Col
umbia? Why the o. r. & N. Company
charge l019 cents per bushel down a water
level grade, from Walla Walla, 245 miles.
or Pendleton, 231 miles, to Portland when
the Northern Pacific Railroad charges
the same price per bushel over the Cas-
eade mountains from Walla Walla, 32l
miles, or Pendleton. 30S miles to Tacoma,
or Seattle. S5l miles? Ii is 33l miles from
Pendleton and 345 miles from Walla
Walla to Astoria, water level grade
is not the o. r. & N. Company paid
enough money to deliver wheat products
from Walla Walla and Pendleton to AS
toria, over q route that one locomotive
can pull more than two cars to one that
the Northern Pacific can pull from Wal.a
Walla or Pendleton TO Tacoma or Seattle.
a longer dlstanee9
Then why. II the distances and physical
conditions OF the country are stated cor
rectly, should the producers pay any
more TO have their wheat brought, in
ships OF otherwise, frcm Portland than TO
Astoria?
Is It necessary to pay the o, R. & N.
Company extra to tow ships to Portland