Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-09-30
Reports and Statistics Gathered,
Show the EarneStneSS and
Energy of Those Who
are Behind the
Movement


cisco officials of the Southern Pacific
Company were appealed to and in
structions were issued that the cars
be run as requested, but the operating
department at Portland stated they
did not have the facilities at Portland
for handling the cars. The observa-
tion cars have not yet been run out Of
Portland, and, as far as we know, no
steps have been taken to remedy the
situation.
The League asked that tho railway
managers Of the lines centerinG in
Portland run weekly, or oftener, low
Portland and making a tour Of the
valley or Eastern Oregon in a day
and returning to Portland in the even
ing. This would have given the fair
visitors a chance TO sec the country,
and the country town and cities would
have gladly entertained these excur-
sionists, as is done in other states
that have a largo tourist travel. This
would have given fair visitors an op-
portunity TO see the interior Of tho
state by daylight, and ii would also
have given the people Of the interior,
who have literally supported the fair
and the railroads, great satisfaction.
II is part Of the work Of the League
to do everything possible toward Sc
curing the permanent Improvement Of
our coast harbors, including TilamoolS
bay Yaquina bay, Siuslaw bay and
Coos bay. Also to work for an open
river from Portland to the Willamette
Valley. The present charge Of so
cents per ton is an unjust tax on the
farmers and producers Of the valley |
and it is time some action was taken
by congress toward opening this great
waterway.
Tho work Of the DEVELOPMENT
League is TO encourage the building |
of railroads, both steam and trolley, |
advertise our resources, induce immi. |
grafton and aid in every other way
possible TO help upbuild this section
of our great and growing state.
Not a Local Organization.
This organization was complimented
by tho publication in July, 1905, Of a
report prepared by the transportation
committee Of the Portland Chamber Of
Commerce, and widely circulated in
pamphlet form, that adopts and makes
its own the ideas advanced by tho
League at the Salem and Independ-
once conventions The willamette
Valley Development League appreci.
ates this although the Portland COM
mitteo in no way recognizes the ex-
istenee Of our Valley League, other
than the adoption Of its ideas. We
wish 10 emphasize the fact that the
willamette Valley organization is an
independent commercial organiza.
tion in the interests Of Western Ore.
gon and the development of the great
interior that is without railroads. and
that it is not the offshoot of any Port.
land organization, working merely for
a locality, but devoted to the develop.
ment Of the entire state.
Justice to the Railroads. l.
In spirit of fairness and Justice 10
the railroads corporations engaged in
developing Oregon we wish to give
credit for all that has been accom-.
plished or undertaken since the first
convention Of the Willamette Valley
'le' ell pm eut League held at Salem.
Soon after that meeting it was an.
nounced that the Hartman lines
would expend about three million dol.
aTs in the betterment Of their lines
through Oregon, and this has been
lone in part. When an improvements
have been completed, including rock
oalasting from Portland to the Cali.
iornia line, the Hartman lines will be
'qual to the demands OF the heaviest
rafie. The Lafayette cutoff is nesr.
y completed and win cost about $50.
700, giving Newberg and other parts