Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1903-12-23

III N0AAlbUu WIN AnOo0 Vi NAAO RNNRAN
OF Western Oregon. That while we
may have been more favorably stu.
ated in some respects, the interests
of the farmers and the grain-buyers
throughout the valley are our inter
ests, and It was the condition Of things
that has prevailed within the last
three or four months with the ware
housemen in this county that interest
ed us, and interested our secretary,
Mr. Graham, who has been lifelong
employe of Balfour, Guthrie & Co., and
is thoroughly experienced in this mat
ter of shipping and it cannot be said
that we are preiudiced in this report
that we have made. It cannot be said
that we have gone out of our way tc
gather this information. Mr.. Ora
ham, as secretary of this club, under
the direction of the executive COM
mittee, sent out circulars during the
past week. and secured replies from
some of the most prominent shippers
in this state. We have those letters
some 81 of the largest shippers of
Western Oregon including some Of
the largest shippers at Portland, al
though not all Of them.
Letters Reveal Remarkable condi.
tions.
These letters reveal a condition OF
things that is remarkable, to say the
least; and the fact that the legislaj
ture is in session now hearing the ar
guments Of the railroad men in favor
of the service which they have been
furnishing, and in explanation Of that
service is a remarkable coincidence,
that we are here investigating this
same subject, and when l read the ex.
tracts from these letters, you gentle.
men will realize that the people and
business men of Oregon are up
against a hard proposition.
l wish to say further that these let.
ters were sent TO us in confidence, by
men of large property interests, and
who do not wish their names dis.
closed; and it IS only Just to the large
shippers and proprietors OF sawmlls
and warehouses who have dealings all
the year around with the big corpor
ations like the Hartman syndicate,
that they should be protected, and
that is the intention Of this club in
this matter, We expect TO protect in
these proceedings the men with whom
we have had any correspondence. Tho
letters which shall read, and the
which are in the hands of |
the secretary, are not to be given to |
the press, and will not be given to the
legislative committee. The facts may
be given, however, and it is the facts
that we want TO get before the public.
Extracts from the Letters.
Now will read few extracts from
these letters without disclosing the
names Of the writer's, but we are pre-
pared to give this information to
legislative committee, or TO any pub
lie official under oath that they will not
be used against the men who gave the
but for the benefit OF the
public, and we think we can do this
without violating any confidence or
rule OF business propriety; because
we believe that a commercial organ.
Ization should hold sacred the honor
and interests OF the business men with
whom 1t has anything TO do. And so
rs read from these letters / have no
Intention Of disclosing the names OF
any OF the business men who have
this information, but we do
wish to disclose the facts.
Let the Facts Go to the Public.
We wish TO let the facts 80 to the
public, and let the public Judge |
this defective service that
has been furnished TO the people OF |
Oregon has been just and reasonable,
Dr whether it has been at all adequate
% the needs OF the shippers and pro.
iucers.
l wish also 10 add that believe
.hese letters disclose that the local
agents OF the railroad companies and
agents and local trafic managers in
he state OF Oregon have done every.
hing in their power TO overcome this
'ar shortage, In fact, believe that
We have had faithful. and very efi.
'ient service at the hands OF these
so far as they were able to
control these matters, and it is with
he feeling OF the deepest regret, and
he utmost consideration for the diff
iculties under which they labored
hat we entered into this matter.
There is some great defect in the
'ailroad transportation system, as
low managed, from which our peopli |
are suffering and doubt whether any /