The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-12-05
OREGOM|AnS ARE |NCENsEO
Mass Meeting at Eugene 10 De-
mand Commission.
ROADS MAY HURRY up CARS
TRY TO BLOCK ANY ATTEMPT ON
PART OF LEGISLATURE TO
MAKE LAWS.

attending the convention called by the
shippers to take action against the
Hartman lines to force the railroad
to furnish sufficient cars to handle
the business of the country.
The speakers assert that most of the
lumber mills have been forced to shut
down, manufacturing plants are idle,
and farm products are decaping while
the eastern part of the state is suffer-
ing from a fuel famine The resolu-
ton calls for a drastic measure by the
legislation including new railroad
commission.
The car shortage in the William
cite Valley is noe being relieved,
but it would surprise no one if
tomorrow, or today, the morning
of the mass meeting of ship
pers at Eugene, announcement would
be made that several trains of flat
cars were entering the state to re-
lieve the congestion.
Such an announcement would send
many delegates scurrying to their
mills, but it would not affect the ma
jority. Railroad legislation is de-
manded, and will be discussed at the
Eugene meeting. Statistics will then
be presented giving a more complete
idea of the extensiveness Of the car
famine.
This monster meeting had it's incep-
ton in the Cottage Grove Commercial
club, of which Frank Phillips is vice.
president; c.. P. Jones, secretary and
Oliver Beach, assistant secretary. This
organization was originally intended to
establish branch clubs in every ham,
let along the lines of the Southern Pa
cific and o. r. & n. in Oregon, and
to work mutually for better service
and as a unit when the interests of
the state were involved,
The railroads investigated and did
not want agitation. This was during
the car shortage of 1903. A few con-
cesions were granted by the South
ern Pacific and the Cottage Grove peo-
pie were stricken with cold feet. They
had accomplished part of their pur-
pose in obtaining a better rate than
formerly obtained.
A few active citizens however, decid
ed that they should keep business or
ganization to represent the community,
and they organized the Commercial
club, which dates from 1904. 1t is in har-
mony with all the other commercial
known as any similar organization in
a town of it's size.
The Commercial club took up the
present car shortage a month ago. In
it's own meeting the club found it
could not accomplish much single
handed, and that to be successful all
The club decided to hold mass meet
ing at the county seat, Eugene, and
asked Eugene to help, being richer,
much stronger and representing a
larger community. To this the Com
mercial club at Eugene agreed, and it
at once secured the courthouse for
next Wednesday.
Are in Earnest.
When the meeting is held the rail-
roads will discover, if they do not
know now, that these people are in
deadly earnest in attempting to secure
legislation that will not be confsca-
ton to the railroads, but will be equit-
able and fair to both shipper and the
transportation lines. In other words,
the meeting will attempt to put the
railroad company in a position that
will make it more profitable for them
to furnish cars and attend to the bust
ness than to neglect doing so and be
forced to pay the penalties and legal
complications
1t will be urged that the railroad, as
common carrier, is responsible for
III
interest in the business offered.
This movement is progressing at a
pace which will involve the state in a
fight between the railroads and the
shippers.
In the Valley mills dock room has
been build and rebuilt and all the
available space taken. The millmen
who have to saw and store lumber, the
yarding and the sticking add 81 a
thousand feet in addition to the nor
NAL cost of saving and loading to the
car There is big demand, and a
shortage of lumber at present. The
demand comes from the building OF
new railroads, the fire of San Fran
cisco and the natural growth and
prosperity of TIE country.