The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-06-24
TO DEVELOP OUR STATE.

As win be seen by an article appearing elsewhere
in The Astorian this morning, Thomas Richardson
representing the commercial interests of the city
of Portland is now arranging for the formation
of the Oregon Development League. Mr.. Richardson
has been at the helm commercially in Portland only
short time. but he is manifesting every indication
that he thoroughly understands the work which has
been cut out for him. This latest proposal is one of
several very important and far-reaching undertak.
ings which he has inaugurated and if the people of
the state back him up properly Oregons population
and wealth can be materially increased
There have been state organizations of com.
mercial nature in the past Quite recently the Col
umbia River Basin Board of Trade was organized,
with much display. 1t has probably passed into the
great beyond. Other similar bodies have met like
fate Delegates to those deceased institutions have
assembled at Portland numerous occasions to par.
ticlpate In the first organization of working clubs
that never worked, with the result that the people
have almost lost confidence in the idea that the cities
and towns of Oregon work together harmoniously
for the general betterment Of their state
It is not difficult to find the reason for these re-
peated failures of worthy projects Briefly, and cor
recently there has never been genuinely active head
to the state commercial organizations The dele
gates who assembled to take part in the organiza
ton were enthusiastic enough, as indeed were the
officers. But the enthusiasm was of short duration
A few months work dampened the ardor of the off.
GERS and ere long the organization dropped out of
public notice The officers lacked that staying quail
lty so essential to success in matters of the kind and
the members became Indifferent and discouraged
Tom Richardson is not quitter in any sense of |
the word is making the commercial advancement
Of the state his special business He realizes that the
head of state body Of the kind must be active and
enthusiastic at all times and that upon his activity
depends the success of any proposal which may be /
attempted. He is the right man in the right place.
and at the head of the Oregon Development League
will keep up interest and bring about results that
only energetic men could attain 1t is, indeed for
tunate for Oregon that the Portland Commercial
Club has lent its assistance to the project This
worthy institution not to have been afflicted
with the dominant Portland spirit of seshness, but
willing to help the outside cities and counties Of Ore
gon whenever possible Portland is, of course, its
first considerations but it appreciates that Portland
must draw its support from the country drained by
the Columbia and that the upbuilding of that coun-
try is necessary to Portland's advancement
Let US hope the Oregon Development League will
be properly organized by Tom Richardson and the ;
Portland Commercial Club, and that the cities and
towns of the state will give to it their heartest sup
port Oregon has not been progressing as rapidly as
it should have progressed and our failure to get to-
gether has ben the fault. Now we are to be given
another chance to do something for ourselves and if
we fail to avail ourselves of it we will deserve to 90
back le