The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-10-18
A COMMON POINT
THE COMMON END
THE POWER Of THE PUBLIC
Comments Upon Ihe Honest Efforts
Oflhe Chamber Of Commerce
aud Some Suggestions.


held special meeting yesterday morn
Ing and transacted business Of import
ance.
Reports Of committees on the matters
Of the Oriental trade and the securing
Of a 40-foot entrance into Columbia bay
were read, discussed and adopted.
Some unfinished business left over from
the regular nesting was attended TO.
The most important matter eonsid-
cred, and the real object OF the meet
Ing. was action toward making Astoria
a common point The Astorian day after
day and year after year. has dwelt
upon the Necessity OF securing such
consideration for this port--a necessity,
not for Astoria alone but for the whole
state. ...-s d.
This paper, In recent issues, has In
sisted that the time Is close at hand
when the transportation lines can and
must be forced 10 abandon the unnat-
ural policy they now maintain at the
expense OF the producers Of the viii
lamette valley and the Columbia basin,
II has also pointed out the great danger
that threatens this port in the contem-
plated movements OF great railway
companies.
The agitatlon--if earnest. sensible en-
deavOr can be called agitation--Is
spreading. and every responsible citi-
zen who possesses anything Of public
spirit is ready TO lend his aid.
II Is for this reason that while the
efforts Of the chamber Of commerce
are heartily applauded. there is a natu-
raj belief among many citizens that the
orgs uization errs in not taking the pub
lie into its confidence and in not maxi
ing a bold. strong fight. The railroad
men who are opposed to the desired re-
adjustment are past masters in the art
Of working In the dark. They doubt
less know by this time everything that
the chamber did yesterday, so that all
the chamber does in trying to avoid
publicity is to deprive itself Of the CO.
operation Of the public.
1t is true that occasion might some
times demand a certain quiet move
ment, hut this should be the work Of
individuals, not Of organizations. and
certainly not Of semi-public organiZa-
tions.
The Astoria proposition is not a thing
to be ashamed Of. 1t is legitimate. II
, is reasonable. 1t is feasible, It is equita-
bic and 1t is necessary. 1t is not sell
fish proposition. 1t does not ask toll
from the rest Of the state, as some up
country papers really believe. On the
contrary, 1t undertakes to relieve the
farmers Of an unjust burden. 1t tells
them. that it is cheaper for them to roll
their wheat down. hill to the ocean than
II is to hoist 1t over mountains. The
people OF the Willamette river and the
Columbia river valleys can be made to
see where their interests lie, and win
lend their effective support to the AS
tor1a" proposition.
Therefore 1t follows that 1t is public
ity not secrecy, that is needed. Sc
cret action is certain to arouse dan
gerous distrust.
The public holds the key to the stu
alton. The people OF Oregon have ar
bltrary power. What is needed is the
arousing Of the people to the real sit
uatlon. The transportation people can
be made to be just, CeaxlEg will not
affect them. Again might be quoted
the homely lines,
Tender handed pluck a nettle,
And II stings you for your pains;
Grasp II like a man Of metal
And II soft as silk remains"