The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-27
EXPLAINS WHY
THEY WILL FIGHT
Cause Of Opposition to the Three
Roads" Measure.
LAWYER PAGES PLAIN TALK
.----
Declares Levy kOsld BE Unjust to
Astofia-ROad Not Required and
Would BE Too Costly.
LAWYER PAGES PLAIN TALK

There ire but two pides 10 the
three roads" question and they are
now beibs set forth with considerable
ci1phasIs.
some time next week the matter Of
building viii probably be determined.
Whether the proposition to levy
1vo-mlll tax for four years be acted
upon fayorably or otherwise It viii not
Dc accomplished without strong oppo-
slti9n. either way
II may be faid that not until lately
has there hecn much hard, serious
taking upon the subject and now
more with fixed opinions hesitates to
express them. The whole matter was
formally brought to a head early this
week when the petition for the levy
and remonstrance were simultan-
eonsly presented to the county court.
In their objections to the proposed
ley the remonstrants set forth two
specific reasons Tor their contention:
! Flttt, that the tax would be too bur-
deusomr. that the taxpayers could not
affori the outlay involved; second.
that such levy would be Illegal.
Naturally there is something under
the surface Of these objections and
with view Of ascertainlng their ex-
act nature and giving them to the
pubic. an Astorlan reporter sought
~ 4 obtained several interviews yes
tcrday with gentlemen whose names
appear as remonstrants. Among these
was Attorney Chas. II. Page who. by
the way. is one Of the heaviest indi-
yldual taxpayers H. the county. Mr.
Page aid not hesitate to express him
self with emphasis. although. he said.
he held no bitterness Of feeling In the
matter.
1T strikes me simply as a propo-
sltlon to take part Of my property In
town away from me and planting It
into the Businesses of a slightly popu-
lated couatry where It can do COM
parauyely no one any good" said Mr..
Page. These proposed roads win tap
parts OF the country in which very few
people live and | am satisfied that
tLf gooi that would result TO these
farmers and ourselves In town would
fall far short from justifylng even
one-half Of the expense necessary to
build the roads. II these people desire
more roads no objection could be rails
ed to the formation II road districts !
of their own to improve to their hearts |
content. II we need new street in
town or require Improvements on the
old ones we go down into our pockets |
and pay for II. We do not so into the |
country and ask aid from the farmers |
to do ii. Why should we do 50, the prop |
osltion would be no worse upon its face
than for them to come into town and |
ask city taxpayers TO go out and |
build roads for them. as they are now
doing.
Practically, the taxpayers of the |
city OF Astoria pay the running ex-
penses OF the county-the burden Is |
borne by us here in town. Under this
condition ii affairs, cur taxes have
grown higher and higher while our
resources TO pay have grown gradually |
less. What, then. could be the induce
ment to outside capital to seek invest
ment here We're We to add an addi-
tional s. "A year tax On $1,000 valuation?
These are matters to be considered |
aud considered earnestly.
Some time ago we made a special
lew tor the purpose Of building a
bridge at a cost of $4,000, We IN
creased our taxes materially in doing
this work, and what good have we
derived from it? Nearly everyone of
the people at the other end, who were
so anxious that the bridge should be
built, now come to town by boat I'll
venture TO say there is not $500 worm
of stlfl a year. exclusive Of horses
and vehicles, coming over that bridge
into town. And this is the interest we
get on an outlay of $4,000.
1T will be about the same with the
proposed roads. They would tap parts
of the county in which but little is
raised. 1t is true they raise some hops,
potatoes and miscellaneous farm pro-
ducts, but what would that amount
to to this city compared to the enor-
nous cost of the work Of construction
and maintenance? 1t may sound q
trne frivolous, but l really believe I
it would be much cheaper for us In
the end were they to pay pensions to
these scattered ranchers or buy their!
crops ard let them remain upon the
ground. for all the good we could de- :
rive from their business, However,
were Astorians not obliged to stand .
the blunt Of the expense, there could :
De no objection to buildlng these roads.
But We would have to stand it and :
We can't afford It. I am not ready to ,
divide what possess with the people
iving In the country, whom 1t would
10 no good If I.did.
II repeat that there is no bitterness
,f feeling in the matter. 1t is purely
| business proposition on our part and
We will oppose the levy"
Other remonstrants declined to be
quoted in the matter but expressed
themselves freely in opposition to the
proposed levy, repeating substantially
he reasons set forth by Mr.. Page. All