The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-10-08
Vital Question Answered at
Regular Meeting Of Chamber
Of Commerce.
HUME SPEAKS ON FISHERIES
President Balientine Of Construction
States That he Is Confident he Will be
Paid.-Real Estate May Now Take
Another Rise--Hold Tight.

construction company, which will build
the first % miles OF railroad at this end
OF tho Portland Oregon & Seacoast Rail.
road. spoke at the meeting OF tho Cham.
ber OF Commerce last night regarding
the construction OF the line.
In answer to q query as to whether
Mr. Reid had the money 10 build 1t. he
asserted that he was confident that he
had Otherwise he would not be going
ahead with arrangements for the con.
struction. He was positive about the
matter and thereby satisfied a number
Of doubling "Thomases" In the large
audience present.
He had blueprint Of the section Of
the road to run through the county which
calls for the construction Of the road
over the old survey to Clatsop City.
where It was graded years ago Where
the survey strikes the Lewis and Clark
river, there will be branch OF the road
built northward to tidewater
Mr.. Ballentine asserted that he was
ready and would 90 ahead with the con.
struction just as soon as the trouble
over the right oi'way had been settled.
II seems that there has been considerable
OF much ado about nothing in this right
OF way matter according to statements
made last night The Astoria Abstract
l. Title Company, II appears had suit
filed against 1t before right OF way had
been asked on its property. according
to member II is asserted that several
other land owners report the same situa-
tion. II was claimed at the meeting
that the man sent to secure the right Of
way by Mr.. Reid did not know his busi'
ness or he would have secured the right
OF way.
Other members at the meeting, how.
ever, stated that the suits could not be
filed unless the right of way had been
refused. The concensus OF opinion is
that there will be no trouble securing
The right OF way providing the road
means business.
At the outset of the meeting Presi-
dent Welch squelched Manager Whyte
for attempting to disturb the red tape
necessary to preserve the august dignity |
Of the meeting when its leading officer
was present. Mr.. Whyte had just fin.
ished making his report. when he stood
up and suggested that as Mr.. Ballen.
tine, of Portland, and Mr.. Hume, OF
Rogue River, who were there by special
request, should be given hearing early
in the meeting.
President Welch thought this was COO
highhanded on the part Of Mr.. Whyte,
and in manner which indicated he
didn't give d who was present, he
insisted that the rest of the red tape
be administered. This having been ac-
to the great edifcation of
all present, especially the visitors, the
matters pertaining to the city's welfare,
and for which the Chamber of Commerce
was organized, were allowed to come in
their place.
Mr.. Ballentine spoke first and answer.
ed all the questions that he could. He
appears very enthusiastic over the plans
for the road. In spite Of the peculiar
and doubling questions asked, he re-
mained undisturbed as to whether Mr..
Reid had the money to pay him Or not
He was quite confident that he had. But
The only thing that will convince some
Of the citizens of this town is to see
Mr.. Reid bring the coin along in an ex-
press. wagon, with the money in gold
not paper-gold, and have it tested. 1t
. unknown whether they would like to
rave it IN sacks or not-probably mott