The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-10-31


its earning capacity?
If Mr. Henry will reverse these pro-
cesses and restore those lines. and
even extend the electric lines, he will
increase the profits of the business
and increase the earning power of the
plant.
If Mr. Henry will extend the electric
lines north to Chemawa and south to
Liberty and Rosedale, and make them
belt lines he will come nearer TO max
ing his properties valuable than by re-
ducing the service.
Lines to Chemawa and Rosedale
could make operation expenses on cord
wood alone. The passenger business
would be clear profit.
Mr.. Henry can pursue the expansion
policy, or he can follow the restrictive
policy, and reduce his plant to a min
imum.
The Journal believes the only saliva
ton of Mr.. Henry in the ownership Of
the Salem electric lines and light plant
is in extending them, running a larger
plant, and making it more profitable.
The Journal believes that the only
salvation of Salem is in the extension
Of these electric lines. Any policy
that will result in their extension
should be adopted by this city as a
business proposition.
An electric motor line from Salem to
Chemawa. or to Rosedale, or to Me
hama, would double and quadruple the
intercourse between this city and
those communities.
The ownership of the Salem electric
plant by a man who would pursue a
policy of repression would be a mis-
fortune to this city.
We have had too much of that kind
of ownership in the past. A policy
that will keep up the properties, end
extend them, means a great deal to
this city.
The Journal believes that Mr. Henry
will come nearer keeping up the light
plant and extending the motor lines
than anyone who has yet had con.
troll Of the property.
The Journal has been full of com
plants of late about the neglected
of the North Mill creek
ditch. The property has become an
eyesore to the public, and probably as
great a problem to the owners.
II is estimated that it will cost $2500
to repair the ditch covering, and that
whole water power is a constant
source Of expense to the proprietors.
It is to be regretted that so large
and valuable a water power must lie
idle the property unused and depreci.
atlng, and the power going to waste.
That seems an unusual case of ne.
elected opportunities.
The power could be used for small
er manufactures, or to make light
with for the city. 1t seems remark.
able to go to Silverton for power to
create electric current, when It is go
ing to waste at our doors.
There is a great deal of waste with
private ownership of such properties,
and there might be a great deal more
with public ownership. Still such a
great economic waste is a strong argu.
ment for Socialism.
It would be a godsend to this town
il that power could be utilized for
manufacturing purposes. 1t would
turn all the wheels in the city and
make lights for the factories besides.
The Portland ownership Of the Sa.
lem Touring mills mas never been ben
efcial TO Salem. The closing up and
removal Of the machinery of the big
North mills Is well remembered.
A circular was sent out to the farm
ers last spring that virtually announced
the closing OF the mills on South Mill
creek. The farmers, for reasons best
known to themselves, have quit TAX
ing their wheat to those mills.
There is all the difference in the
world between repressive and an
expansive polioy-a policy that closes
down industries, or a policy that builds
them up
Who can deny that the paralyzing
hand OF the milling trust has been
throttling tho -four industry at Salem
A more enterprising management
might have kept these industries alive
and fourishing,
An expansive policy would have eX
tended the markets for Salem -four
would have increased the output
would have encouraged the farmer.
10 put in a large acreage of wheat. Gnt
made money at the same
A repressive policy has closed thI
I II.