The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-11-07
CORBETT
NOT A
M0SSBACK
Gives $4,000 TO Start the
Lewis & Clark.
Ifit Goes He Will Make II
Back Ten Times Over.

By Phil. s. Bates, Portland Special Correspond
| ent Capital Jour al
Hon. II. w. Corl t's munifoent con-
tribution of $50, O,O0O towards Che Lewis
& Clark Fair Fund is subject Of gen
eral appreciation by those who have
this project most at heart, and has
been the cause of stirring up this com
muniiy of mossbacks TO their personal
obligations tow ards movement OF this
character. That Mr.. Corbett, thorough
business man, shrewd and far seeing in
every enterprise he undertakes should
take such a conspicuous lead in raising
the 100000, has caused the practicable
ity Of the Lewis & Clark Fair to Oregon
and the North West to be forcibly
brought home to the attention OF every
one. Especially gratifying is the im
petus Mr.. Corbett has given at this
time, when in the inception Of the pro-
iect, cricis Of failure" and the diecour.
agement are heard from business men
who never get beyond their pet ex'
preston eve must go slow" There
are eeveral citizens in Portland or es
tates represented by them who could af'
| ford to give as literally to this fund as
Mr.. Corhett has, and at least one
hundred who could spare from 5000
to $4,000 each and never feel the outlay
half as much as the common working
man would to expend fifty cents for a
pair OF overalls. The question of "abil-
ity 20 give" therefore is pertinent one,
and the above statement is made after
thorough investigation of the tax rolls
Of Multnomah County. Looking upon
the official maps aud plats of addition
Of Portland one lie forciby struck with
tie fact that tract after tract is owned
by few men, men whose wealth runs
into millions Of dollars.
How did they obtain this property
In most cases it was donated by the
government in early days or loans ma
tured and the security was passed over.
In noinstance has sbrewd business judg.
ment entered into the proposition in
any way, 1t has simply been an increase
in valuation through the settling up.
aud growth OF community
aud it is these very people
aud estates to whom Portland looks
with no uncertain eye to do as much
as MIR. Corbett. They have huge bust
ness blocks and tenement houses, all
income bearing property, in every part
OF the city.
Among these men is Hon. IL. w.
Corbett, but Of him we have all ready
sp oxen. A glance at the records in the
County Assessors office elbows the un-
istakabletruth that, there are others"
who have the wherewithal if they are
only disposed to acknowledge same by
their good works and bring forth that
which they can not take with them
from their jeans, The heirs Of the w,
S. Ladd estate have an assessed valna'
ton OF $67l ,260 the Henry Failing
heirs S299, 700; Jacob Kamm $l7S,6SS
the q. IL. Flanders heirs Sl2S,26O,
the G. II. Lewis heirs Sal 5l5. This is
only starter to give you an idea OF the
possibilities Portland holds in her own
hands. The above figures in no way
show the value as whole OF the estates
mentioned as a large amount OF pro-
perty is owned outside the county and
state and Is not made part OF the
assessment rolls OF Multnomah Co. IT.
is said that Meirer and Frank Co, pay
taxes on about 5000, 600 on their holdings
in this city but this firm has always
been liberal in its support of any worthy
object. II all were as public spirited as
Mr.. Corbett has shown himself TO be
the $500. 600 desired could be raised in
one day with out going outside the
limits OF the city.
Mr.. Corbett's long career Of public |
philanthrophy starts out in marked con-
trast to the self sufficient horde OF
money-seekers who have lived and
died i'm this state. lie raised the mag
nifcient Portland Hotel from an un-
slightly macs Of ruins which had stood
like a deserted graveyard for years; he
has always been the first maR
to come forward to assist any
and every enterprise that would
help build up the city and
add beauty and commercial prominence
to this commonwealth II is safe to say
that Mr.. Corbett has given more money
to the city aud state than any two men
In Oregon.
But il lie not expected that many men
WILL follow Mr.. Corbetts excellent ex-
ample, and give anywhere near as freely
as he has given. II is only necessary
that the citizens in general should be
inspired by this liberal endorsement Of
the project and do each little biz to
wards helping this worthy project along.
The subscription COMMITTEES will, ia
lew days, be ready Tor business, aud an
opportunity will be given the citizens Of
This state to become identified in the
most worthy project they have ever un-
lertaken. Let the"pro bono publ icos'
Z