Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-09-15
MADE A
STRONG
ADDRESS
General Passenger Agent
McMurray Speaks Glow
ingly of oregon

/
maiden speech in the state, and was
replete with glowing tributes to Ore
gon and statistics showing the pres
ent and proposed activity in railroad
work as now being carried out by
the Hartman system. His subject
was "The Strong Points of Oregon
and he said in part:
"The strong points of Oregon. In
these words lie subject matter for
volumes; glowing volumes such as
you may set down as an array of
hard facts. and they will read, never.
theless, like pages from romance.
when the Creator made Oregon
he made Oregon great-stocked 1t
with strong points; made it a verit-
able warehouse of natures wealth,
| wherein may be found all that is
good for man and beast and in lavish
abundance.
Scratch the soil and the finest
crops spring from it in every variety.
Dig into the hills and they will yield
up their store of precious metals.
Dip into the steams and they are
found alive with fish. Turn loose
the saw in the forest and you get
lumber to house the world. Thrust
tender shrub into the earth, it
brings you the most luscious fruit;
or turn your cattle into Oregon pas
lures and with Oregon climate and
Oregon grasses they will rank with
the finest stock, demonstrating that
this is the region fitted by nature to
be a dairying and stock center of
America.
"And now for the scenery: Cast
your eye in any direction and ma
ture's most lavish, most exquisite
works of art are before you. Here
nature is richest in it's expression, in
viting some great interpreter to its
rugged beauty.
1--WE are not alone in the knowl-
edge of our treasures stored up here
for the taking. The good word has
gone out and eastern investors and
homeseekers are taking substantial
notice. The call of United Oregon
for an outlet for fits limitless indus
trial and commercial energies is EN-.
bodying itself in it's people, and there
has already been a wide response.
The spirit of development is sweep
ing the state. Hood River is doing
a great deal for Oregon. Its people
have invested their fruitgrowing
with fine ethics which is bearing
fruit of itself. They are sending out
none but the finest products of their
orchards.
"Oregon shall gain in popularity
from year to year with tourists as
a most attractive resort. Climate
and scenery are unsurpassable.
Where is there a better field for the
sportsman? Oregon's forests, noun
tains and streams abound with game
and fish. There are so many strong
points in Oregon that | will not at
tempt to go into detail as regards
the many irrigation projects further
than to say that they indicate the
confindence of the national govern
ment in oregon's future.
Concerning the work of the rail-
roads, in Oregon, have few words
to say to show the confidence rail-
road investors have In this country.
"The Hartman lines are with you
in your development work. !.
eat this time we have on hand a
food of money which has been set
aside for extending and improving
the lines in Oregon. This money Is
being used every day, and there is
Just one difficulty-it cannot be
spent rapidly enough owing TO the
scarcity of labor at this time. We
could use several thousand more
men, mechanics and laborers. II we
could get them. Let me present TO
you some of the figures showing the
work now being carried out by the
Hartman lines in Oregon:
"Under the head of new eonstruc-
tion is the following;
Oregon Eastern Railway.
Natron east 1852 miles.s 4'leo'ooo
Drain to Coos Bay Gun
der construction) s'zoo'ooo
Riparia TO Lewiston
(one-half interest) z'ooo'oVc
Elgin to Joseph (under
construction) 80. l'SoO'ooV
Springfield Henderson
cutoff (nearly COM
pleted) 49,. ..... l4I'slo
Lafayette-St. Jospeh cut
OF (iust cOmDleted) 45sb4t