The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-10-22

helu we IOunn MIN equiyOcaL de would
make ofie proposition al one time and
then 90 back On II at another time. WI
could not pin him down to any specific
proposition.
Here we wish to say that the original
proposition the committee made to MI
Reid on August 2Sth has never been
accepted W him. This original propo-
sition was briefly;
I'VE would endeayor to secure the
right-of-way in escrow and hold The
money he had rendered for same III
escrow for two years. II ut that time
the railroad was in operation. then we
would turn over to him the right-of-
way deeds and the money rendered by
him. II the road was then not III opera
tion then the right-of-way deeds and
the money rendered, would be turned
over TO the land owners, the tender
money being recomPjense for any In
convenience
This proposition was made to Mr..
Reid literally to call bis bluff contained
In the following telegram:
Portland. Or, Aug. 70, 1907.
John "A. Whyte. Manager Chamber Of
Commerce, Astoria, Or.
4Regret missed you on Saturday.
President tHawgood) suggests that If
Astoria Chamber win induce land own
ers upon whom condemnation suits
served to accept respective tenders in
cash which railway company has made
them, company will guarantee to com
mence construction Immediately there
after and dismiss law suits.
"tSigned), WILLIAM REID"
Mr. Reid was given respectful con-
sideraticn BY the promotion committee
on Tuesday, Oct. s. when he agreed to
accept the formal written instrument
providing for the holding of this right
of-wAy In escrow but be did not have the
tender money ready. only promising
that he would get It BY Friday Or Sat
urday following.
Altogether this matter was one which
the Chamber had referred to the execu-
tive committee exclusively, because of
the absence from the city OF Chairman
Sanborn, the promotion committee was
convened at the meeting Of the Sth, to
share in the deliberations and respon-
sibilities Of this occasion.
10 show Mr.. Reid's vascillating habit
it may be- stated that at this meeting
Mr.. Reid asked for l00-foot rikht-of-
way for the entire distance from Clat-
sop Station to the Nehalem River, d
distance Of about 81 miles. explaining
that the right-of-way he had already
secured about II miles in length, was
only ~ feet wide. whereas the capital
lists in London who were furnishing the
money would not allow construction to
begin until lOO-foot Eight-of-way had
been secured; that Is. 40-foot addi-
ticnal strip to the 6O-foot he already
claimed to have.
On the Saturday following this meet
ing Of the sth. Mr.. Reid sent tele-
gram stating that he had missed the
train. but that he would come on Mon
day, the l4th, and on that day the exc
cutiye committee met him, to find that
he had again failed to bring the neces.
sary money. for the tenders, although he
promised To furnish about $1,000 at some
future date for six miles Of right Of
way, he at this time setting forth that
six miles was all he required and that
construction would be begun as soon as
This six miles was obtained. evidently
forgetting that at the previous meeting
IN the Sth he had said construction
work could not begin before the right
,f-way d full 100 feet wide for the
sntirel distance had been obtained
The committee now reports back to
he Chamber these facts and its con-
illusions that it is impossible to do |
business with Mr.. Reid because Of his |
'onstantly changing and vascillating |
,olicy, because Of his failure to produce
he tender money as he first promised, |
md in fact because Of his failure to
AIRY out any suggestions he may make
'efore he changes the same. The execu-
i've committee therefore considers it
las called Mr.. NReid's bluff and that he
las not made good. The executive COM
aittee reports its conclusions that the
'hamber of Commerce do now cease all
with Mr.. VIM. Reid until
uch time as he puts up this cash de-
'osit.
Good Roads.
The executive committee of the
'hamber suggests for the consideration
I This Chamber that the largest pos
ible interest Be taken BY this body IN
he matter Of building good roads. No
ounty can be settled up in the rural
ortions without roads. In many re-
poets good wagon roads over the county A
'ould do more good towards developing
gricultural resources than would q
abroad over the same route. If we
ad q good wagon road through Sven
~. Knappa, Clifton and Westport, the
lerchants would be assured Of d veryl
amount Of trade that now
oes to Portland and all Of the country
lat could be opened up for settlement
ould then be open under the best adj
antage.