Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-03-17
TUESDAY, MAR II, 1908.
THE BURDEN OURS.

The Lewis and Clark Exposi-
ton is essentially, and Of right
ought to be an Oregon enterprise.
This, not because the whole
Northwest and California will
not te greatly benefited by it;
not because California, Washing.
ton, Idaho aud the Montauas
may net give the support we
have right to expect from them,
but mainly because the idea of
holding such a Fair was an Ore
gon idea in its birth, and because
It is to be held in this state.
We do not complain that the
work and a heavy portion of the
expenditures necessary to create
and conduct the enterprise must
fall upon our state and peop'e.
While it is altogether probable
that other states will reap as
great benefit from the enterprise
as we shall, yet it is viewed as
an Oregon scheme and we must
accept it as such. Our people
must be in earnest, energetic and
enthusiastic in their support of
it. We have made good be-
ginning, but we must not flag
nor lag in our efforts while there
remains anything undone to carry
the project to certain success.
1t is not a Portland enterprise;
it concerns the whole state even
more than it does Portland. The
people in every section OF the
state not only should, but have
a right to regard it as state en-
terprise, for half a million dol
lars of the peoples money,
mouey put up by the taxpayers
of the state, are involved.
While all should labor in earn-
est harmony to accomplish posi-
tive, helpful purposes, there are
things of a negative character
which must be borne in mind,
especially by those controlling
the Exposition.
'Thou shalt not," must be de-
clared against every measure and
undertaking, in. connection with
the fair, or because of it which
may SAVIOR of any degree of mis-
representation, imposition or ex-
tortion. There will be many
opportunities for hotels, lodging
houses, restaurants and shop.
keepers to practice extortion.
The spirit of greed and desire oi
extraordinary profit will be aler
for its opportunity, and must be
promptly repressed. Portland
must provide ample hotel accom-
modations and insure the stranger
entering her gates of just, ever
generous treatment. Just nov
there is a scarcity OF dwelling
houses in Portland and rents are
extraordinarily high. This con
dition should not be permitted, tt
exist during the year of the Fair
The resources of the state, it:
climate, soil, productions, mar
kets-in brief all the condition:
of life and living in Oregon
should be set forth truthfu1ly anc
comprehensively. All over-col'
oring, all indirection, all mere
arti6ce must be frowned down by
every possible means.
1t is not beyond just suspicion
that at the present time there are
those among us who regard the
immigrant as fair game to be
plucked and feeced at every
turn. There is scarcely any
doubt that there are human har-
pies in the real estate business.
These creatures seek gain from
both seller and buyer. They dc
not own foot of property MOI
represent a dollars worth of any
interest in the state. Their
methods are essentially selfish
and dishonest. They place fc-
ticious values upon property and
then by misrepresentation induce
purchasers to accept them.
Let those having property to
sell employ reputable agents OF
none. Let no one attempt te
create ga boom" in values, but
rather let every one demand only
just and reasonable prices fo1
what he would sell, and look to
what Henry Georoe called the
s'unearned increment" to supply
a portion Of the profit he seeks.
IF the Exposition is to be made
a success, if the state is to domi.
cile large and desirable irnmi.
grafton, now or at any time, we
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