Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-05-01
OREGON MUCH RICHER.
Harry He1gate compares Oregon and
washfu9ton Ia an Intercsting Letter.

Harry Helgate compares Oregon an
Washfuxton Ia an Interesting Letter.
EDITOR GAzErrE:-Washing
ton profted by Oregon's usur,
and related laws, capital seeking
investment finding a less restrict
ed field north of the Columbia
river. It was to the interestso
the Northern Pacific and Tie
tGreat Northern railroads to buiIo
up this state and their immense
capital and efficient organization
brought business and people
and Washington has surpasse d
Oregon in population and claims
a commercial supremacy. Tn.
claim is not easi y established.
While Washington has more
large cities and towns than has
Oregon, an unpadded census
would doubtless gives Portland a
population greater by $1,000 thar
Seattle; and Portland jobDing
houses sell goods throughout
Washington, while practically
none of the Oregon business
comes to Washington cities.
Washington's ratio of edvance-
ment canuot be maintained al
though her growth will be rapid.
Her resources have already been
largely exploited and many parts
of the state have been over-capi-
talized. Oregon, much richer in
natural resources, will not be able
to hide its light under a bushel
longer, and it is reasonable to ex-
pecr that the state will grow faster
than its northern neighbor.
AS between Portland and Seat
tie, the former has, local back
ing that Seattle can never have.
The trade of the Columbia and
Willamette valleys belong to
Portland and will go there, until
the laws of gravity are suspend
ed. Seattle has harbor advant-
ages but in great cities a harbor
does not seem to be an absolute
necessity; and when Portland has
learned to make the. mouth of
the Columbia her harbor instead
of continuing the costly and
heart-breaking plan of hauling
her freight vessels up the Colum-
bia and Willamette rivers. she
will have positive harbor ad-
over Seattle, in nearness
to the sea. Portland will always
control the shipping at the mouth |
of the Columbia, and can profit
ably spare the trade of steve dores,
warehouse employees and ships
crews.
Portland is far richer than Seat
tie. 1t is creditor city. 1t is
the Boston of the Pacific coast.
In Oregon, most of the profits
from investments remain in the1
state, adding to its capital. AL
large percentage of the interest
and dividends arising from in
vestments in Washington go to
non-residents, and no small pro-
portion to Oregonians. Thel
Ladds alone control about 2oi
Washington banks. The invest
ment company backed by Chas.
Ladd and Theodore Wilcox have
about $500, 90 loaned in |
this state. An agent of the COM
pany told me that the company |
finds the demand for loans much |
here than in Oregon, but
stock is sold faster in Oregon.
Seattle has apparently won de-
its fight with Tacoma
only to find a new rival in Ever
EFT. AS yet Seattle hardly ad-
mits the rivalry, but any Everett
man will confess that his city is
destined to distance the present
metropolis of Washington. Ever
EFT has now population of about
20. 900, with mills and factories
that are enlarging their capaci-
ties, ard transportation facilities
which in some respects are be-
yond those Of Seattle. What
Everett will. become depends
chiefly upon Jim Hill.
H. L. HoLGATE.
Seattle, Wash, Apr. II, 'o3.