The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-10-10

Yesterdays 0egonian contained the
following. which has an authoritative
sound and ring of probability altogeth'
er pleasing to people in this meek OF
the woods" Ii has been surmised here
ever since Mr.. Hammond left here, about
September lst ostensibly for Missoular
Montana, but who was heard Of a few
days later in San Francisco, whence the
Hartman party was on eve of departure
for Japan; collusive conditions and peo.
pie that were very significant and this
was, perhaps, the matter of Importance
that changed Mr.. Hammond's route
from the norteast to the south:
within another month L. II. Harri.
man will probably own the Astoria &
Colnumbia River railroad, providing he
cares TO take over the property at a
stipulated price of $4,000 per mile
named in an option that he holds. II
is also asserted by Portland railroad
official that every bond of the road is
held by General Manager Thomas Hub
bard, II. +. Huntington and the {. Z.
Huntington estate, hence all the securi-
ties of the company could probably be
at any time acquired by Mr.. Hartman
"Trackage rights over the Northern
Pacific from Goble to the Northern Pa
cife Terminal Company yards in Port
land are had under lease held by the
Columbia river road for 20 years at IA
rental of approximately S2G,coo annual
ly, for the fraction less than 40 miles
lof road.
The option price of $4,000 mile is
considered high by railroad men, as
based upon the value of the trackage,
but that Mr.. Hartman considered the
value not eXorbitant in view OF its
strategic value to him is Evidenced by
his acquisition of the right to purchase
within a given time. There is no doubt
that either the Hartman or Hill inter-
ests might we'll seek control of the only
line at present extending from Portland
to the seacoast along the Columbia riv-
er, for it is recognized that the deep
ening of the bar at the mouth of the
stream will precede the deepening of the
channel, for it is impracticable to deep
en- and keep open a channel until the
obstruction at the bar is removed, hence
that work must follow. Meantime il is
far cheaper to haul traffic to the sea on
a water level route such as is afforded
by the Astoria 4 Columbia River rail-
road, than TO haul to Puget Sound,
much greater mileage and over heavier
grades.
1T is related that when the North.
ern Pacific road was first built to the
coast it was the plan Of its promoter,
10 build the line down the Columbia
river TO Astoria and that Young's bay
had been selected a. the site OF the first
docks for a railroad terminus on the
north Pacific coast. Engineers VINO
made the surveys reported that il was
impracticable to build a railroad down
the river below its junction vita the
Willamette and that for considerable
portions OF the way solid roadbed could
never be- had. Whether that is correct
or not, it is beyond dispute that many
years elapsed before other engineers
than those who set the first grade stakes
into he northwest. found feasible
route and their preliminary labors were
perpetuated by the completion of a rail
road.
Possession of this line 10 the coast,
together with the new line projected to
Coos Bay from Drain would be another
safeguard for the Hartman lines against
reported probable aggression Of the San.
ia Fe or other companies that have
contemplated the possibilities of a coast
line to the Columbia river from the
south, and would make more tenable
the position Of the Hartman system in
Oregon. 1t would insure that the rival
Hill system, whatever other properties