Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-09-01
.LYTLE
STEPS
DOWN
Columbia Southern Railroad
viii Not Be Extended
This Year

The Telegram Wednesday night has
this story on the railroad situation.
Elmer E. Lytle, who, since the frst
pick was struck on the right-of.way Of
the Columbia Southern railway, from
Biggs to Shaniko, has been president
of that line, will relinquish the control
Of that property September l. His
resignation has been accepted. This
action confirms the rumors current for
over year that e. II. Hartman owns
tho road.
When seen this morning, Mr.. Lytle
declined to be interviewed on the sub
ject Of his resignation. He stated,
however that plans he had formed
necessitated his connection with the
Columbia Southern being severed and
that he would engage in the develop
ment of orgon through railroad build.
ing. Mr.. Lytle refused to make known
what his intentions were in that re-
sPect, merely saying that the work he
had outlined would be inaugurated
this year.
From friends of the retiring presi-
dent IL is learned he first rendered His
resignation to Mr. Hartman year
ago, the road having been transferred
six months previous to that time. Mr..
Hartman, however, did not want
to dispense with the services OF the
director Of the Columbia Southern and
prevailed upon him to remain. In this
connection it is said promises were
made that the Columbia Southern
would be built on TO Bend, and as Mr..
Lgtlo had other interests in that re-
gion and was concerned in the devel-
opment Of Central Oregon, he contin-
uod to hold the position.
Despite statements made by Mr..
Hartman and his local officials, 1t is
now certain that he will not add more
to the mileage Of the road. The latest
coup, that Of building from Natron
to Ontario, with branches to Klamath
Falls, Agency Plains and Lakeview,
shows conclusively he has no intention
OF spending more money to place Cen
trail Oregon In closer touch with Port
land by way OF the o. r. & NJ, but will
draw that trade to the Southern Pa
cfc for tho benefit of San Francisco
IL possible.
Sessions have been held between
commercial men, representing wealthy
interests in the state, and officers OF
the Harrimon system since the famous
banquet given by the magnate at the
American Inn early this month and,
while IL is not known what PROPOSE
tions were made, II is evident no sat
isfaction was obtained from the rail-
roads with reference TO the future OF
the Columbia Southern. II has been
promised at intervals for the past two
years that something would be done
to help that part Of tho state. On
representations made by both Mr..
Hartman and Mr.. Lytle, hundreds Of
homeseekers have gone into tho end
country and the district adjacent,
though which II was assured the road
would be constructed, but the terminus
of the line remains where Mr. Lytle
left it-at Shaniko.
With line from NatFon, Hartman
proposes 20 reach Agency Plains and
tap a portion of the locality which is
the territory Of the Coium-
bia Southern If It were extending.
Yet it was given out in no uncertain
terms at the banquet that country
was not fertile enough or not develop
cd 20 an extent that would warrant
the line being continued. To many
familiar with the state and eognizant
Of the policy of Mr.. Hartman, the
line to Natron is regarded but a blum.
The Columbia Southern win now be
taken in as a branch OF the o. r. 4
N. system. Its future will depend
largely on what use the Hartman
ines can make Of its business, though
Il is looked upon as one Of tho best
paying propositions Of tho kind in the
West, and IL has often been said no
stretch Of 10 miles on the entire Har-
imam system is operated so eeonomi-
ally with an equal percentage Of pro
It's as the Columbia Southern. The
irst 2s miles Of the road were con
Itrueted by Mr.. Lytle with little or no
,aeking. He was agent at Tho Dalles
or the o. R. q N. previous to start
ng tho road, but when the war was
tarted between the river lines and the
r. a ~, be saw an opportunity TO