The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-07-23
Soliciting Committee Not Meet.
ing With Proper Success.
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE SMALL
Many Are Not Displaying Interest 10
Regatta Worthy Of Enterprise. So
heiting Committee, However, Is San
guine and Hope For Great Success.

The soliciting committee appointed
by the mass meeting Friday night to
raise funds for the proposed regatta,
are not meeting with the success that
the proposition deserves. They have
made a canvass Of the city and find
that large number Of the business
men are willing TO give their proportion,
but they have encountered business men
who usually reap the benefit, positive.
| ly refusing 10 contribute one cent. This
il particularly noticeable In the lower
section Of the city, which has contribu.
ed literally therefore. They have form.
ed an opinion that the regatta viii be
given in any event and they viii reap
the benefits without contributing. An.
other effort will made Monday, and
II the same disposition Ia made mani
fest, as seems apparent, the regatta will
be called oil, This Is 10 be regretted. /!
j. particularly noticeable in the lower
II Is we'll known fact that after the !
fishing season closes over one million
dollars will be paid out 10 the fishermen.
II no regatta il held. these men will 20
TO Portland where attractions will be
offered and where they will spend their
money. The result win be- that all or
most all Of the money paid out at the
end Of the fishing season will betaken
10 Portland and Astoria will suffer this
fall and winter.
Those who through some imaginary
or fancied grievance, think they are in.
juring the city By refusing 10 contribute,
win find, in the end, that they will be
the ones 10 suffer most. Not only viii
they lose business. but the support OF a
considerable number who have been In
sympathy with them. II, without any
exhibit at the Lewis and Clark fair
without any effort TO advertise the re
sources OF Clatsop county, and refus-
al TO contribute toward regatta that
would keep million dollars al home
and bring other millions here, Astoria
has not the enterprise 90 give a regatta,
then the obstructionists will be the ones
most injured. TO them win be accredit.
ID the blame for the failure Of the re
gatta, a
The business men Of Astoria-have,-in-
Ierested Themselves In the project. They
have signifed their willingness to devote
their time and put up proportionate
share Of the money for the event, but
Shcn men in other lines Of business re.
'use to contribute, Oyen their mite. i'll
= no wonder that the committee have =
become discouraged
II Is certainly poor business policy
Ind poor business judgement 10 not only
efusc TO contribute, but to antagonize
he committee in their efforts, There
'as never been more opportune time
n the history of the city for holding a
egatta. Thousands of Eastern people I
will visit Oregon this fall. many Of whom !, y
would come to Astoria TO witness the
ttractions that can not be furnished
" the East or middle West. II would
ot only mean the bringing of large
lumber of people to Astoria, but the ex.
enditure Of a large amount of money
I which every business man in Astoria,
n whatever avocation he might be en-. !,
aged, would reap direct or indirect !,
eneht. Astoria is peculiarly situated,
large proportion of the money paid :,
ut every month seeks the channels of
rade which flow out of Astoria, with no
esource to either retain or bring the
Ioney back. United efforts on the part :.
every business man, every citizen is !,
'quired to maintain our commercial \,
lpremacy and provide adequate means ~
If carrying on the business of the city
hen the small minority refuse to con.
'ibute a few paltry dollars to bring
lousands here in order that all may y
ap benefit, it shows wanton dis. -
,sition Of retaliation that will not -
eet with the approval even of the con-
rvative element
When the word goes forth that As. =,
ria has not the energy or the enter. rr
Use to give regatta, at a place more ~
Iapted for such an event than any other ",
ty on the coast, the result viii nit. a.
tie against the city and the obstruct- -
nists will be the first ones to suffer. ~
ne more effort will be given, and II i,
IT successful, there will be no regatta n