The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-03-15

II the business men of Astoria are wise.
they will take steps to investigate the
rumor ;hat the railroad company is
about to meet the cut in rates between
Astoria and Portland made by the Mohler
steamers. The o. R. & N. cut was made
for the avowed purpose, il a prominent
official OF that company has been re-
ported correctly. to give the people OF
Astoria a chance to do their trading IN
Portland and teach the business men OF
Astoria lesson. The lesson to be taught
Astoria business men, Of course, is Shat
they must patronize that company's
steamers instead of the railroad. 1t will
be an outrage and shame II this threat
is made good, as it certainly will be II
the railroad is forced by lack OF patron
age to "see" Mr.. Mohler's scheme and
go him one or more better. Notwith-
standing the cut rates. the delays and
uncertainties OF steamboat travel, with
the large Incidental expenses it necessa-
rily involves, viii probably discourage
much shopping by that rou,e in Portland.
but let the railroad rates come down as
how or go go below the rates charged on
the boats and II wiz be a different
proposition. Three-fourths OF As,oria's
population will then do their buying in
Portland. This would be perfectly nat
ural. and no amount Of sco!d!ng or re-
monstrance could affect it one particle.
The thing for our business men TO do
IS to prevent such a situation by taking
all possible steps to forestall or prevent
it. The A. & c. R. is Astoria's natural
ally but Mr.. Hammond cannot be ex-
pected to run trains to Portland just for
the fun of paying operating expenses out
Of his other resources. If he continues
to be forced to divide freight as well as
passenger business with Mr.. Mohler. he
cannot be expected much longer to de- |
cline the war Of extermination 10 which /
Mr.. Mohier has challenged him. Let
Mohler CONTINUE to carry commercial
travellers in his floating hotels between .
Portland and Astoria, If he so desires. /
1t makes little difference to these gentry
how much time is consumed on the
road their salary goes on just the
same, and as for their boarding and
lodging, the house pays that anyway
whether they stop at the Occldent or
Parker, or eat potatoes and salmon
bellies between card games with Mohler's
give Hammond the freight
to carry, along with such citizens Of
Astoria as are obliged by social or busi-
ness engagements TO journey to Portland.
This is the way 10 hoist Astoria's arch
.nemy with its own petard and at the
same time hold on to the trade which be-
ongs to Astoria merchants With the
lewly formed taxpayers league, there
ire three organizations Of business men
N Astoria. II these are not enough 10
protect the commercial interests Of the
.ity. let another be formed without de-
sy TO take the self-defensive steps re-
Iuired to avert the threatened war be-
ween the transportation companies.
some Of our good people may prefer to
ollow the sophistry of the oregonian's
lrgument on the common point and leave
heir great grandchildren to wait the
olution of that vital issue in the good a
ime of the transportation companies, p
ut the transfer of their present bread
nd butter to the capacious maws Of the
PORTLAND department stores will be found
different question. We are all not :
'et ready to go to the poor house in 10