The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-09
UNJUST DISCRIMINATION.

UNJUST DISCRIMINATION.
1t is TO be regretted that owing to
some Interior motives the committee
of the chamber OF commerce were in
duced to ignore the newspapers OF
their own city and give its patronage
to a monthly publication that is un.
known outside of the city In which /,
is published. Such actions tend only
to create bitter antagonism against an
organization which is in position to
assist materially in the advancement
of the interests of the city and coun.
ty. There was certainly no justifiabla
excuse for the actions of the chamber
of commerce sending away from home
for its printing. The Astorian has en-
deavored to assist the organization BY
the publication Of descriptive articles
OF the grand natural resources Of the
city and county. all Of which have met
with the approval and Endorsement Of
the members, with possibly few ex-
ceptions. The press Of Astoria have
never antagonized the chamber Of COM
merce but has always endeavored TO
assist them in the advancement of the
city and its future growth and pros.
perity. II is for this reason that the
press of the city do not consider they
have been treated right To give ad-
vertising matter to an obscure publica>
tion is evidence that they have no con-
fidence in their home papers, and 1t is
this that has antagonized the entire
press Of the city against the organiza.
1tioa.
The press of Astoria has always
worked for the upbuilding Of the city
and county. 1t has spent more time
and money in one year in endeavors
to advertise the natural resources Of
Clatsop county to the world, than has
been spent by the deceased since its
earthly existence. For this work it has
never received so much as thank you
from the members of the late defunct,
and never has one cent been contrib
uted to even pay the postage on papers
sent east at the request Of people con-
templating coming west to locate.
In all Of the large enterprising cities
Of the coast, all commercial organiza'
tions devote their energies to building
up home industries and home insti-
tutions. They not only advocate pat
ronizing home industries but instead
Of sending money out Of the city to ad-
vertise the resources the money is in
variably given to the home newspa-
pers or home job Offices and very lit.
tie, If any is ever sent away from home.
The result is that every one Of those
citieslhave grown and expanded. Thou.
sands of eastern people have invested
in business and homes. Time was 20
years ago. when Astoria had larger
population than Seattle or Tacoma
Boards Of trade were organized in
those cities and the home newspapers
were paid to get out special editions
which were circulated all over the east
The result is that after 20 years AS
toria has increased from about 5000 to
10000, while Seattle has increased from
5000 to over 100000. Astoria could
have been as large as Seattle II it had
commercial organization composed
of the live, energetic business men.
Three months ago the county court
by repeated requests endeavored to
interest the chamber of commerce in
making a display at the Lewis and
Clark fair Of the products of CIatsop
county. The matter was entirely ig.
nored by that body, and no action was
taken until it was entirely to late to
secure any space; and the fault lies
entirely with the chamber Of COM
merce, due to lack Of progressive
spirit that should have actuated all
deliberate bodies, with the result that
Clatsop county will be about the only
county in the state that will not have
an exhibit. It being the county where
Lewis and Clark first landed and which
is replete with many historical Incl
dents, more so than any other county,
a large majority Of the citizens feel
that their interests and the interests
of the county were not properly rep
resented, and it ought to have had the
best exhibit Of any county at the fair.
With the money that has been foolish
ly expended by the chamber Of com
perce in itinerant publications, which
have produced no good results, splen.
did exhibition Of the grand natural
resources of the county could have