The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-08-26
All Southeastern Or
egOn Tributary to
California
The Railroad will Soon be
Pushed From Madeline
TO LakeYiew and
BUNS

In speaking of the contemplated
railroad extension of the several
routes into Central and Eastern ore.
gon, the Oregon Journal has the fol.
lowing to say relative to the exten.
sion of the N. O. o. Ry., from Made
line, the present terminus, to Lake.
view:
The mysterious railroad enterprise
that concerns Oregon and Portland is
the line that has already been con.
structed from the Central Pacific
northward TO Madeline, New, and that
is making toward Lakeview. So much
is known. Il inevitably will drain
from the interior trade TO the Central
Pacific. which means that II will be
diverted to San Francisco. This is
trade that belongs by every law of
land configuration and commercial
prestige TO Portland. Historically, be.
cause of the region involved being in
Oregon, for the reason that II is con.
tiguous to the Columbia Valleys
drainage OF watersheds for the most
part. Portland is entitled to hold the
business Of Harney, Lake and CONT.
guous counties business territory that
will be invaded by the completion of
the Madeline line to Lakeview.
This road Is really the one menace
10 Portland's commercial interests.
Il may we'll cause the cheek OF Port.
lands loyal lovers to pale with fear
of its consequences.
Whose road is it?" is a question
that is pertinent at this time. II. as
is claimed. Il is being built by a New
York banking house. TO develop coun.
try wherein the concern owns mines
and timber, that does not relieve the
situation. These New York bankers
might evolve an ambition to do some
larger railroading. and Il might be
extended TO n connection with the s.
p. or o. r. a NJ, but, II the control
chanced TO be In the hands Of people
hostile TO Portland, Il would give San
Francisco the advantage in every re
spect, and Portland would suffer i'm.
measurablv
II is declared that this road is not |
Hartman project. Competent au.
thOrity so asserted the other day. Ac
cepting the statement. Il Is In order
for Portland 10 learn exactly who Is |
behind H. and whether or not the pro |
jectors will be likely TO carry out
what appears 10 be lnevltable--the |
subtraction from Portland's commerce |
of considerable volume OF business;
IN fact perhaps, the very absorption |
Of Central oregon's trade by San
Francisco.
But, the weakness OF Portland's |
position Is that business men here an |
pear not 60 know the truth about all
OF these projects. There Is not evident
a Systematic course OF inquiry and
means OF organizing the protest
Frainst so-called opposition TO the
commercial interests Of this city. |
There has been mostly "holler," with, !
out proper action by leading people |
TO get at the facts.
or all railroad projects now on foot |
that Madalinc line Is easily the most |
serious menace TO Portlands future. |
unless appearances are deceitml. II |
holds the possibility Of actually In, |
vading Portland's legitimate home
country. hauling to the Bay city every
ounce OF goods 10 be used by the peo.
pie within n region that Is all In II
Oregon, excepting a fringe around the
northern and eastern sides.