The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-01-17


fully calculated and wholly righteous
plan 10 break down, once for al. q
direct and conspicuous discrimination
against the merchants Of Astoria. The
incongruity Of the evil Is no less mani.
fest than The eontrariety that inspires
II. II Is the rule OF the big San Fran.
cisco Portland Steamship Company car
rying Portland bound freight from San
Francisco under IL own insurance con.
vcntions. and absolutely refusing the
privilege and favor 10 n Astoria Gus
toners.
The tonnage into Portland H., Of
cour.c, far the heaviest. but that Offers
no pretest for the sharp and unfair
advantage taken Of the lesser trans
portation contributed by the people
here. And II is to adjust this rank
discrepancy In treatment. that legal
.teps are To be taken by an associated
group of merchants here.
The wreck Of the steamer 81. Paul
has raised the question In very un-
equiyocal fashion aud afforded an op.
portuniiy. long desired, TO put the mat.
ter within the puryiew Of the courts
and gct decision that viii mean
something. either ss a conclusion that
Astoria dealers have no rights in the
premises and must bear the injustice
without relief. or that they have equal
righis with the people Of Portland.
Quite a number Of the mercantile
fraternity here had freight on the st.
Paul. and when the issue was raised
as to their loss being covered by the
company. In formal fashion. the local
oiiicc here took Il up with the COM
pany, with the result that the Astoria
people werc politely, but firmly re
fused any and NIL compensation for
their losses; though every shipper IN
the metropolis was either measurably
or wholly. covered, by the steamship
company under It's ruling in favor Of
the terminal merchant
Then the merchants Of this city
pooled their claims and put them in
the hands Of the Astoria Groccrs' As
ISOLATION. and this body went afte'
General Manager Schwerin. at Port
land. for definite recognition In tho
premises. II was useless. They wer'
turned down to the last claim and the
last dollar.
Now the entire group Of shippers herr
have legally transferred their claims Il
the C;rocers' Association with one eN
ception. and that pendingl, and II i
the purpose of this body to put tho
question In the courts and secure de
termination of matter that has beei
a thorn in the commercial side here 70
years.
II Is said the Oregon Railroad 4
Navigation Company has nothing what
ever to do with the San Francisco
Portland Steamship Company, and i
in no way responsible for its acts, fai
or unfair; but II was, nevertheless. tn
prevailing custom Of that company. 4
work this same discrimination, wher
II was the original owner of the line
aud the maintenance Of its worst ana
most conspicuous regulation, by IL
alleged successor. eonduces TO the as
sumption that there is close busines
analogy till existing between the cor
porations, and Il may he the critica
interference OF the law may reveal re
sponsibilitics that even the o. r. & \
cannot disprove.
At all events, before many days hav
elapsed. the case will be up for al
adjudication that will be final, and !
Is hoped. favorable, TO the men Of thi
city. who, for long years have contri
buted faithfully. as far as their bust
nesscs warranted, to the prosperity o
concern that has unremittingly an
badly Disseminated against them.