The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-10-27
THE oREGoAIAN MUST ANSWER.

The oregonian has gone too far to
ayod further discussion Of the seaport
problem of the Northwest. No dellcaey
OF consideration for the prejudices ard
unfounded fears Of its Portland read
ers should restrain it from following up
the good work already done III opening
their eyes TO true conditions. Its ad-
mission Of the other day that Portland
could not depend on the natural ad-
vantages Of location to compete with
the Sound should be carried TO its log
ical conclusion. II Portland must rec
oncile herself TO the inroads OF the
Sound cities on her naturally tributary
trade: IL she is to be denied the future
offset of her down-grade road against
the deep-water and heavy tonnage ad-
vantages which are so rapidly building
up Puget sound ports; if she is to be
left thus helpless agains, the en-
croachments Of her aggressive northern
rivals, without the ability either to
strike back or recoup her losses by re
taliatory raids into Puget sound terri |
tory. what is to be Portland's future
commercial position in the Northwest?
The oregonian well knows that Port
land has remedy at hand for all these |
apparent Disadvantages. II well knows !
that its Portland readers are totally |
ignorant Of the true merits Of the AS !
toria proposition. 1t well knows that !
it has always been one of Astorias |
strongest contentious thai the develop !
ment Of this port was essential to Port /!
lands commercial supremacy. 1t well !
knows that the strongest argument Of
the Astoria proposition is the absolute
triumph of the Columbia river through !
the development Of the matchless sea-
port Of Astoria over Puget sound in
both the trade Of the interior as well
as the incoming commerce. Not only
can Astoria put an end to further in
cursions Of the Sound cities in Port
lands local trade, but the better price
which the products Of the interior
would bring il laid down at the first
class seaport Of Astoria must force q
large part OF tine trade now belonging
strictly to Puget sound TO follow these
products on the way 10 the sea. Port
land will be and ever remain the toll
gate through which the vast trade of
the Columbian basin must pass, pro-
vided 1t follows the course of the river
to the sea.
Aside from these considerations, the
Oregonian cannot for other reasons
and for the sake Of its own self-respect,
ignore the comments from Portland's
enemies on it's startling and significant
declaration of the other day. 1t will
not do to leave Portland in the position
of having receded from her time-hOn-
ored claim Of advantage for the Colum-
bia river, the down-grade route, over
every other route to the sea. If the ef-
fects Of railway combinations or railway
competitions are to so change the natu-
raj transportation situation as to rob
Portland of all benefits Of her location,
she must be provided with some other
acknowledged weapon or means for
reasonable self-detense ana Tor war
upon her exulting enemies.
The Tacoma Ledger has been quick
to see the effect Of the Oregonian's
confession Of Portland's hopeless plight.
The Oregonian must answer the
Ledger. It will not do for Portland to
allow the assertions of the Tacoma pa
per to go unanswered. In order that
the matter shall not escape the atten-
tion of the OregOnian, the Astorian here
prints the Ledger's comment in full If
the oregonian should be so unwise as
to ignore its plain duty in the prem