East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-08-11

In the light of the speech which f.
II, Hartman made at the banquet
given by himself to w. w. Cotton
night before last In Portland, 1t would
seem that the assessment of $4,000
per mile made by Assessor Strain upon
the company's roadbed In this county
Is by no means too high.
The following Is from the Oregon
Daily Journals account of the ad-
dress made by the great magnate:
Quotations From Hartman.
Governor Chamberlain's addresses
served to bring Mr.. Hartman once
more to his feet for what proved the
notable speech of the evening. In his
earlier remarks the great railway
president had said nothing of the
plans for the development of trans
portatlon lines in Oregon. This topic
he now took up. Mr.. Hartman spoke
as follows:
Gentlemen, l have been rather in
spired to say a few things to you
which l might not otherwise have said
If 1t had not been for the remarks Of
your governor. | believe the railroad
into the irrigated country in Bend will
be there before the settlers. There
is no section developed along the lines
of our allied lines that the railroads
have not sought as quickly as the peo-
pie.
Il would like to have you under
stand little of what we have had to
contend with when we took over the
railroads composing this system. 1t
may astonish you to know that since
1900. up to July /, 1905, the Southern
Pacific, Union Pacific and allied lines
have expended for improvements,
that is reduction of grades, straighten-
ing of lines, heavier rails, ballasting,
elimination of curvature. rearrange-
ment and enlarging terminals, addi-
tions to equipment, increasing the ca
pacity of equipment as to the num-
ber and size of locomotives and cars.
more than $3.50, 1000 900.
Getting the Money.
1T has been no easy task to induce
people with capital to lend 1t Tor that
purpose. 1t is difficult to keep within
the line of your capacity, to live up
to your promises to the people of
whom you obtain money. I believe
your interest has been better served
by getting good railroads rather than
many poor railroads.
1--WE have a railroad from Port
land to Omaha, which win compare
favorably, more than favorably with
any other line in this country east or
west. 1t has ballAsted track, solid
through. As said, the bulk of the
money expended for the improve
ments was expended on that line all
the way through. Now comes a time
when perhaps it wifi be in line with
expenditures for additions to branch
lines or more branch lines where busi-
ness can be collected; but we have not
been very negligent about that"
Deductions From Hartman.
II 1t is true, as Mr.. Hartman states,
that the bulk of the $780, 100000 was
expended between Portland and Oma-
ha, then the company's property has
been increased In value over 100000
per mile, counting rolling stock and
all. for 1t is less than 1000 miles from
Portland to Omaha. The roadbed
within this county has been assessed
at the rate of $4,000 per mile by As
SCISSOR Strain which, being at one-third
the estimated value. makes the latter
$36. 900.
It is said that the railroad attorneys
are contemplating commencing a suit
in equity to show that the assessment
of the roadbed in this county is un-
Just, since they lost their last suit in
the supreme court. In case such is
done It is said that there is posi-
billty of Mr.. Harriman's address being
brought In as evidence.
CANAL CnNTR ACT IIrr