The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-09-01
THE DALLEs PORTAGE ROAD.
Present Embarrassment Said TO Be Due
TO Fight Between Stockholders
and President.

A reporter Of the Evening Telegram
Yesterday CLEANED the following from an
interview with one OF the foremen en-
gagged in the construction Of the port
age road at The Dalles:
The men have II sized up that the
present embarrassment is due to a
death struggle between certain Of the
stockholders and the president Of the
company. They believe no more funds
will be forthcoming from the stockhol-
ders until the president is retired. 1t is
said the president. who controlled the
right OF way for the road, put up this
interest against the money put up by
the other parties. 1t is hinted also
that outside influences cut some figure
In the present alleged strife. II the
S250OO0 already used had succeeded in
building the road no doubt the present
trouble would have been averted.
But a large additional sum win be
needed to complete the road. and get it
into shape for business. There Is only
a matter Cf a mile to build to COM
plete the rad. This would not require
much. money, but considerable equip
ment is needed-locomotives, cars, etc.
Another considerable sum viii be re-
qulred before the inclines reaching
from the road to the river at each end
can be finished.
According to further evidence from
the men. just after President Mellen's
private car left The Dalles another
private car appeared upon the scene,
and tall. smooth-faced man, who oc-
cupled 1t. spent considerable time in
spectinE the works. From one ..eurce
another Of the many interests in
volved. 1t is likely enough money win
be forthcoming to complete the road.
but as to who win be in control after
the trick Is turned is something no one
can foretell."
In commenting upon the suspension
OF work on the portage road. the Spo-
kane Review says:
The Central Navigation & Construc-
tion Company has suspended work Of
Some Of the laborers have
been paid in full. and others have re-
ceived part payment. The report is
out that the company is to be reor-
ganized. This is the company promot-
ed by Paul Mohr and backed by Spo-
kane capital. Originally George Turner.
w. ]. Harris. Frank Graves and w. ].
c. Wakefield were the heavy stockhol-
ders. 1t is said that Mr.. Harris is no
longer with the company. Colonel 1. N.
Peyton recently invested in the stock
Of the company and is the president
Of the corporation.
THE company has suffered a. heavy |
loss in the stranding Of the Billings. |
They no longer make secret Of it |
that. barring the machinery and the |
possibility Of using the patched-up hull |
for wharf-boat, the vessel is a total |
loss. To reconstruct her has cost the |
$4,000. The losing of this sum
1t this time is q heavy blow, and 1t is |
hardly a secret that leading stockhol-
iers have been casting about for some
body or something to lay the Slame
lpon.
Parties claiming to be in the Sc
,rets Of the company claim to have |
'oreseen this SUSPENSION months ago, as
he natural elimination of a bitter fight
lmong the stockholders that has its
storm center in the management.
"The plans Of the company were to
build railroad from q point below
70 point above the distractions in the
Columbia river near The Dalles. Both
lbove and below boats and barges were
% be placed on the river to handle
products OF the farms. Rates far be-
ow those charged by the railroad were