The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-03-13
Discusses the Reports Of Alleged
Bonded Deals.
SEVERAL POINTED OPINIONS
People Who, BY Talking Too Much,
Exert an Influence Detrimental
to the Interests Of Astoria.

Ross. also OF Montana, arrived in As
toria In a special car attached 10 the
regular 1850 train Sunday morning.
After a short stop here the party pro-
ceeded 10 Seaside and spent Sunday
afternoon on the beach. Returning 70
Astoria. the special car was side
tracked at Kinneys cannery and con
stItutcd the stopping place Of Mr..
Hammond and his guests during their
visit In this city
Late In the forenoon OF yesterday the
party embarked with Mr. Elm6re, in
one Of the Packers Associations steam
ers. Tor a few hours run down the
bay. The day was perfect and the trip
on the water was highly enjoyed by all
members OF the party. No particular
point was visited. nor was any ,peciai
destination in view. the object being
purely one OF pleasure and sightseeing
for the benefit Of the strangers aboard.
Mr. Hammond was seen by an AS
torian representative Just before the
boat started. He stated that his visit
at this time had no significance and
was made In an entirely private ca
pacity for the sake OF entertaining the
Montana members OF the party, who
had never before been TO the mouth OF
the Columbia river. on being in
formed that It was the general belief
in Astoria that he and his friends We're
engaged in inspecting purchases re-
Gently made or in contemplation OF
West Side property, Mr.. Hammond
expressed the utmost surprise that such
a conjecture was in circulation. He
stated that neither he nor the gentle
men Of his party had any such inten-
ton. That Messrs. Mcleod and Ross
We're old-time personal friends OF his.
and at his invitation had come down
over the road and were taking advan-
tage OF the fine weather to look at the
mouth OF the great Columbia. Neither
OF the gentlemen, Mr.. Harmon said.
purposed making any investments at
Astoria and all We're too busily en-
gagged in business elsewhere to consId-
er any outside ventures OF that char
acter. As for himself, he said he only
investment he had made in this vicini-
" lately was the purchase OF a small,
irregular patch OF land needed to
square out holding which he mad ac-
quired some years ago near New As
toria. Other than this. he had neither
bought nor bonded any property in that
locality, and had, at present, no in
tentlon Of doing so.
Asked concerning the rumor Of the
erection of a large saw-mnl by the
Astoria Company on that side OF the
lay, Mr.. Hammond said there was
nothing in that rumor He was glad,
however, he said, to have an Cpportu-
nifty to correct an impression that had
been created from the Pacific TO the
ocean concerning this small
and comparatively insignificant corpor-
alton. Instead of being a gigantic or
ganization of Eastern capitalists, with
S2O,OOO,OOO capital, as represented, Mr.
Hammond said that it was designed
merely as a convenience to facilitate
SOME transfers in which he was person.
ally interested. Its capital stock was
limited to 100000, all of which, aside
from certain nominal shares to perfect
rs organization, was held by himself.
That 1t had no saw-mills, the erection
)f drydoclSs, or other large improve
nent in view, and would probably never
engage In any business of that nature.
AS have frequently said before" Mr..
Hammond added. 81 consider the lower
Columbia river one of the best openings
or lumber manufacture on the Pacific
'oast, and | am ready. at any time,
% contribute my share of the invest
nent necessary to the construction of
/ saw-mill at Astoria or any other
II the half-dozen eligible locations on
he Oregon side of the river. The mo-
nent proper spirit of cooperation is
among Astoria people, l will
De found willing to respond to whatever
extent l may be requested.
Some of the reports" said Mr.. Ham
nond, "emanating from Astoria con-
lerning the scope and plan of my oper-
atoms here have tended to make both
ne and the town ridiculous among
business men elsewhere in the country.
Not only this, but such talk has SER
ously handicapped my efforts to get
'apltal interested in the development
II this section of Oregon. For instance,
he report has been circulated up ind
lown the coast that I am investing
heavily In timber lands in this and
rlllamook county. The result is that
he main hope of the people in the
,arly constitution of railroad down
he coast has been retarded, II not ut
erly frustrated. It is impossible to
get capital interested in so difficult and
,ostly an undertaking when the cupid
ty of the people is excited to such an
extreme top-notch that they are ut
Ierly disqualified from rendering the CO.
operation and offering the inducement