East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-05-16

city:
Mr.. President, Gentlemen of the State
Good Roads association, and Mem
bers of the oregon Development
league:
1t is a source of great appreciation
to me that 1 have the honor to talk
to you upon a subject so common
place, and yet so important to the
interests you representative indus
trial and commercial development of
the resourceful states of Oregon and
Washington.
1t has been truly said that transpor-
tation is the basis of all development
and civilization. The primary means
Is the common road, over which must
be carted at least 95 per cent of all
products, merchandise and exchange,
and it serves as the independent,
democratic way of transfer for man
and beast.
must confess to you. Mr.. Chair
man, that 1 have received renewed
inspiration since coming into this
new world-the Pacific northwest.
1t was my distinguished pleasure to
dllGliu Tic ClOSlii6 otSSiOll VI lht Olf-
gon Development league, during its
recent meeting at Partland. The
spirit of enterprise, enthusiasm, ac-
tive yet friendly rivalry, created an
atmosphere of progress and develop
ment that inspired me anew for my
work. l commend you most heartily
for your vigorous efforts I'm the sew
eral departments of your league, but
you must not charge me with bias or
prejudice when I say to you. that the
support given to the State Good
Roads association and to the promo
tion OF highway improvement, is to
be valued more than all. Especially
am I grateful that these two state
organizations-th Good Roads asso-
citation and the Development league
are working hand in hand. shoulder
to shoulder, for this all important
public improvement. 1 trust this as
sociation may continue, "as one and
inseparable, now and forever" until
Oregon shall take her place with the
first rank in the development of her
resources. among the commonwealths
of the American Union.
Undergoing Evolution.
This portion of the country is ex-
periencing rapid periods of evolution.
1t is within the memory of most of
us when it was regarded as the ter
minus of the trial, the lands end for
the pioneer Just yesterday 1 found
these words:
I'VE have a toast, lift high your glass,
To those old heroes who
Blazed out the trail and found the
pass,
To make way for you.
The first to trace the river gold,
The Spaniards sought in vain,
The first to see the range unfold,
Beyond the sage-brush plain.
The tracks they made for other men,
Are crossed by rail and plow,
And where they built their campfires,
The cities bivouac now"
While we honor the pioneer devel-
opers, the freighters and overland
stagers, who came over natures high
ways and who laid we'll the founda-
tion for future greatness and while
in few days We will celebrate. by
Industrial display, the achievements
of those intrepid spirits, Meriwether
Lewis and William clark. who ex-
plored and made known the bound
less resources of this vast domain,
yet we must consider that the mod
ern developers are the great railway
systems, which have crossed the
plains, climbed the heights, penetrat-
i Co..
the use of civilization the ineXhaus-
tible Industrial possibilities of this
great country. Nor is their work
finished. Every day, and week, and
month and year finds them indefat-
igabie workers in developing and ad-
vertising the commercial and indus
trial resources within the territory
contiguous to their lines. They main
tain land, Industrial and emigration
departments. operated by tireless
men. who are walking encyclopedias
of Industrial knowledge. unceasing in
their efforts to make local people
appreciate their country and its pos
sibilities, and to advertise 1t to the
world as equal il not better than any
around the globe, for the benefits
and prosperity of mankind.
Measueless Importance of Roads.
We do not always recognize and
appreciate the valuable service of
these great agencies. or comprehend
the magnitude and scope of the work
they do and accomplish. While some
may say they profit by it, yet it is
a generous profit, for they only share
in the general prosperity. Railroad
companies are like individuals--they
prosper as the country prospers.
Therefore, as a rule, the great rail-
way systems of the country favor
and substantially support all proper
efforts for commercial, industrial and
agricultural advancement. They
recognize the value of good public
roads, open and in condition for travel
all seasons of the year. They are
the surest evidence of prosperity for
the country. and are lateral feeders
to their main lines.
The common road is so intimately
related and exercises such influence
in all our affairs, business as well as
social, that 1t is difficult to explain
why we are so Indifferent to It. We
trudge through mud and dust and
over rocks and ruts and bad grades,
with the same complaint. year after
year. We follow the same old meth
ods, with the same result. one year
after another Waste our money,