Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-09-15
Development League and Mr.. Hartman

Development League and Mr. Hartman
Under the heading Of "NR. HAIR
RIMAN AND THE DEVELOPMENT
LEAGUE" the Salem Statesman is
making "sUGGEsTIoNs" as to the
course TO be pursued by the Eugene
convention September 1880.
OF course the Statesman has per-
feet right to engage in suggesting this
and suggesting that, and it may be
wise in saying that the League shall
say or do nothing that shall rufle the
feelings Of any corporation.
Well, so far as the Willamette Valley
Development League is concerned, 1t
is tho only organization Of the kind
in the state that has allowed the real
situation Of Oregon as to railroad cor.
porations to be discussed at all.
The delegates from the western Ore
gon counties got tired Of going to
Portland Development conventions and
having all the time on the program
taken up with subjects that were not
vital 70 this important situation.
They determined 10 form an organi
zation beyond tho control Of any corpo-
ration managers, that would speak full
ly and fairly and freely Of things as
they are, and without unjustly ar.
raging the railroads, or any other great
corporate interest.
What has been the RESULT Ever since
the first convention held at Salem and |
the second convention held at Inde-
pendenee, THERE HAS "a CHANGE
COME OVER THE SPIRIT OF OUR
DREAM"
Immediate construction" Of this
line Of railroad, and "immediate con
struetion" Of that line Of railroad has
been promised through the newspapers.
and actual work has begun on several
lines.
The Portland papers heartily back
up the work Of the Willamette Valley
Development League. They can see no
danger Of driving capital out Of the
country from holding these conven.
tions.
Al the conclusion Of one Of its long
articles the Statesman adds: "The
Willamette Valley Development league
can do much for the development Of
this valley, by aiding in disseminat'
ing knowledge as to the valley and its
resources as well as by calling atten'
tion to It's requirements aud necessi'
ties.
The League members and commit.
tees have been hard at work gathering
up Just exactly what the Statesman
calls for. KNOWLEDGE OF THE
VALLEY AND ITS RESOURCES.
The special purpose Of It's conven'
tions Is 20 call attention 10 "lrS RE
oUIREAIENTs AND NBcEssITIEs"
The League has never made an effort
20 put itself in the light Of being
dangerous aggregation Of agitators.
Again quoting from the Statesman;
"The willamette Valley Development
League can DO much 10 demonstrate
HOW WE MAY AID OURSELVES,
Il can show the way to many who
have no time TO study out the plan,
but who viii gladly help carry it out
whom IL is properly understood"
What is "the plant" viii not the
Statesman or the genius who inspired
or suggested" its editorials have the
Kindness to discuss the "plan" on
which the people can build railroadsi
There is no law in Oregon by which
the people could so much as acquire the
right Of way for foot Of track, 20
say nothing Of owning and operating
what is commonly known asa railroad.
The burden Of the Statesman edi'
torials is that the league should eondne
itself ITO SHOWING THE PEOPLE
HOW THEY MAY AID THEM.
SELVES" II you mean public con-
struetiOn and ownership Of railroads by
the people, why not become a full
nodged Socialist and advocate thatt
But the Willamette Valley Develop
ment League stands for the principle
that THERE Is A SUBSTANTIAL