The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-10-25
WHERE WE HAVE ERRED.

As will be seen by Mr.. Van pusen':
letter. published elsewhere in this issue
the concessions asked by Mr., Gosslin
are very much less than has general
" been thought When It was stated
repeatedly in the papers OF the city
not alone by The Astorlan, as an even
ing publication would have people be-
ueve-;hat the sawmln site asked con-
tained approximately 500 acres, there
was natural seutimen; against grant
ing 1t. Il was righ,fully considered
that the site was altogether too large 20
give Tor the establishment ot one mill
But the site Is not 500 acres in ex-
tent: IT CONTAINS ONLY ABOUT
EIGHTY ACRES. X viii not accom-
moda:e dozen mills, as has been stat-
ed, but VIII be taxed to care Tor the
enterprise whic,l Mr.. Hammond and his
associates propose establishing, Grant
ing Of this concession viii not tie up
the sawmin situation here. but viii give
TO it an impetus that viii add great
w to the population Of the city ana Es-
suit in bringing many other Industries
here.
A word about the Tongue Point site.
The upland contained IN the tract
asked BY Mr.. Gosslln amounts to about
50 acres. This tract OF land lies both
on the norsh and south sides OF the
railroad right OF way. It is presumed
that The syndicate claims all the prop
erty extending out to the ships cham
mel both on the easterlv and westerly
sides Of the Tongue. but this "lanl"
does not belong to it. The syndicate
owns. besides the 50 acres here men
toned. the tlde-land extending to low
water mark-sbout fifteen acres on each
side Of the Tongue. In ALL then, Its
possessions amount 70 eighty acres. Il
should be remembered that this acre
sge IS cut up by the railroad right Of
way. That portion OF land on the south
side of the railroad track which has
been asked by Mr. Gossl.n amounts on
ly 70 a few acres, being desired merely
for .rackage purposes. TIE bulk Of
the 80 acres les north Of the track. Az
will be observed by Mr. Van Dusen's
statement the syndicate may lay claim
10 100 acrss-slxty on the east side and
eighty on the west side Of the Tongue
This acreage Is covered by wafer But
the syndicate has no more right to the
'1and" lying below low water mark
than has any other resident Of the state
Of Oregon. The Tongue Point sawmlI
site contains eighty acres, and it is
large enough only FOR one mill.
Relying on statements made by gen.
tlemen who should have been familiar
with the mater. The Astorian has for
some days persisted that the Tongue /.
Point site contained 800 acres. This be- /
lief has become general, and It Is in
deed strange that effort was not Pfc
viously made to correct 1t. 1t created
a sentiment against the proposal that
threatened to bring abou. failure OF the
entire proposition, the people regarding
the matter in the light Of a hod-up.
With the patience Of Job, Mr.. Gosslin
has decided to remain in Astoria for a
time longer, hoping that the people Of
the city will see the matter in the prop
er light md lend their assistance. Mr.
Goss.ln is in earnest because he is
very heavily interested here and wants
to see Astoria grow Another oppor-
unity to push the proposal through TO
a successful Issue has been presented.
When the matter is sifted down. it Is
apparent 20 everyone that he demand
made was most reasonable. and there
Is no reason in the world why Astoria
should not make some effort to secure
those two Industries. Mr. Gosslln has
not made any promises to the people
u this city. but rhe Asrorian has the
best Of reason to believe that The build
ng Of the mills viii be followed by the
Of other enterprises that
Will create a payroll and double the
city's population. Indeed ;he mills
which Mr.. Gosslin Is endeavoring 70 Sc
cure for Astoria will involve the expen-
iiture Of more money. than was required
10 construct ;he Astoria & Columbia .