The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-10-16
CONFIRMATION pILING UP.

Ihe news OF Cne great puiSnaSo' " SA
Hill interests, of the Flavel and Ham
mond properties in the West Side. comes
with cheerful and confrmatory assur-
ance that is full of meaning for this
CITY and county. We forecasted TINS
same transfer three weeks ago and did
it heartily on the simple predicate that
the lands in question could not, logically
90 to any other buyer as they were IN
contestably the ideal layout for the I'LL
terminals. With the whole city we re-
ioice in the consummation Of the big deal
because it adds immensely to the pres
tige conferred by the entry of this great
transportation system into this terri
tory, especially as it comes with the vast
accretion and influence Of ea-terminal,
a status that carries the promise OF
marine extension and equipment that Is
certain to be fulfilled at the earliest pos
sible moment.
ANY community that gets Hill rail-
way and steamship terminus may count
itself wonderfully fortunate, because the
spirit that actuates the typical expan-
sionist at the head Of the great proper
ties is OF sort that builds always and
wisely and never permits the mould OF
inertia to grow by 50 much as an atom
upon the work of his brain and hand.
Therefore this master-stroke, which has
given him indubitable command Of an
other superb highway from the noun
tains to the sea, and athwart seas to the
uttermost corners Of the earth, will DC
made into one of the most notable OF
the great depots Of the world. James j
Hill will see to it that his splendid
command of the Columbia Basin suffers
nothing for want of equipment; from
the Snake River to Clatsop Spit, he viii
have all That the huge new highway. de-
mands for its widest development
Elevators, docks, warehouses and all the
elements of traffic and cargo handling
will be in evidence just as each are re-
ouired for service, and the end of tht
coming year will see an incalculabl'
change everywhere on the long route
Especially will this be proven at the SEE
end Of the system. For it goes without
saying he has not bought 2200 acres o
waterfront land to lie barren and useless
at the mouth of one Of the greatest riv
ers in the world, while he commands tn
rail mileage to the uttermost reaches o
the interior, along its course.
The effect on Astoria and her count,
cannot be measured in terms nor dollars
This is matter of rich and constan
development. and all that may be sal
in dependable fashion at the moment is
that it will have tremendously stimu
lating results in the realty market, with
out forcing it to an altitude at one
ridiculous and dangerous, but yet, com
mensurate with the incontestable ad
vantages that such news as this wal
rants. 1t gives new impetus to hundred
of dormant energies and industries an
opens up the local field to outside, a
well as to home capital, in a myria
ways that would not have been attempt
ed with anything less assuring. It
altogether good and gratifying; an
deeply as all Astorians feel on the prim
question Of the hour, it will not be pei
mitted to oyerwhelm us to any degre
Of idiocy as too good thing to be fri
tered away in rabid, speculative plan
and will be used as the greatest, mos
tangible and effective basis this sectio
ever possessed, for sensibly and, honestl
exploiting the advantages of the por
the city, and the county.