The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-05-08
KINNEY
TALKS
TO COOS
Declares it will Have
TranScOntinental in
Two Years
Advises Property Owners not
10 Sell More Than Half
Their Lands But
to Hang on


evening under the auspices of the
Chamber of Commerce and which was
addressed by Major l.. d. Kinney
should do much toward clearing away
the fog which obscures the vision OF
so many Of our citizens.
While II is impossible to give a
comprehensive synopsis of Major
Kinney's remarks. II may be said that
they were on the line of an endeavor
to bring before his hearers some of
the possibilities of Coos bay and a
plea that every one get in and do his
best to help along the development Of
the country.
Major Kinney talked somewhat
lover an hour His remarks we're well
received and there was frequent and
hearty applause. The speaker dis.
claimed any intention of making
speech, called II business talk, but
II may be said that he is an orator Of
no mean ability and impresses his
hearers with his earnestness In the
cause he advocates
How the Road Began.
The speaker reviewed briefly the
inception OF the Coos bay,salt Lake
railroad project Ilo told OF the meet
ing at the Palace hotel IN San Fran.
cisco, in February. 1902. at which
were present representatives OF East.
ern railroad interests. They were
looking for harbor on the Pacific
coast suitable for a transcontinental
railroad or the 2S present. 26 were
predisposed toward Humbolt and only
two for the field. No thought had
been given to Coos bay. but al the
second meeting a letter was received
fiom a citizen OF Roseburg. setting
forth the advantages OF this harbor.
to such good effect that half OF
four months was called until the pro
position could be investigated MAJOR
Kinney made. the investigation. and
on August i3th, on his report, the
feasibility OF the route from Salt Lake
to Coos bay was accepted As soon
as this was done there was reason 10
believe the road would be built
The time since has been spen; in
Reconnaissance by the engineers, and
In looking FOR the best passes through
the ranges OF mountains that must be
crossed
Transeontinental Soon.
The speaker stated that i79 miles
Of the road, out OF Salt Lake. had
been located
As to his own position, the Major
said; II am an employe OF set OF
men who represent a transcontinental
railroad. They are the best set OF
railroad men IN America for Coos
bay"
He said emphatically You will
have, within three years of the day
stand ON this platform. a transconti
mental railroad IL not two"
Touching the coast line. he said:
The coast line may go through first "
lie said there was no connection be-
tween the two projects. The men
behind the coast road "are not our
brothers. but are our friends "
He said We need not worry about
the Southern Pacific; 1T win come
in anyway when il has TO-"
The speaker said that Salt Lake
City was enthusiastic on the subject
of this road. and that the enterprising
men Of Salt Lake City would be heard
from here before long: that salt
Lake would look on Coos bay as "our
seaport" and would help il 10 the ut.
most
Don't Like Portland
Major Klnner paid hls respects to
Portland several times in the course
Of his remarks and warned his hear.
ers that they could expect no assist.
ance from that quarter, hut quite the
contrary He said; Portland has
never for moment had her mind
open To the whole state" In Portland
speaking t0 strangers they make
them feel as though there was no
room for them" Let man 40 20
Portland with project for some
other part OF the state, and said the
Major They'll lead him into a trap
aud then throw him" And that
seemed 20 be leaf from the Majors
experience. He said no state could
ever reach high state OF develop
ment with only one large city. and he
prophesied that the springing up Of a
rival for Portland, on Coos bay. would
be a great thing, not only for the
state, bat for Portland herself.
In the territory tributary 20 Coos