The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1909-06-19
the suaprHR VALLEY EXTENSION.


ports the business men or Baker
City will take a hand in the ex-
tension of the Sumpter Valley
Railroad and now propose to
raise a $4,000 bonus which will
be paid to the road as soon us
trains are run into the John Day
Valley.
This is another step toward
bringing the Harvey County near
er to the outside world and
should the line be extended to
that point it would be of consid-
cradle benefit to'this section. 1t
seems, however, that the line
viii go by way of Susanville and
not over Huckleberry flat to
Prairie. In such an event it
would be rather difficult to get
out and on over to this place MS
il is understood Burns is the OBJ
iective point to which the road is
headed.
OF course the writer knows
but little regarding the physical
conditions and such a route may
be feasible. We have always
hoped for an extension Of this
road but have been more or less
discouraged on account of the
roughness of the country through
which it would have to build. yet
it doesn't seem to be any worse
than the difficulties already over
come by the line in building as
far up as Austin.
According to a report in the
Canyon City Eagle $4,000 of the
amount has been raised on the
proposed bonus. The following
from the Baker City Democrat
gives some information:
Mr.. David Eccles. president of
the Sumpter Valley Railroad, arr
rived in Baker City yesterday.
In the afternoon he had con-
ference with a number of Baker
City business men and they were
given to understand that if the
Sumpter Valley was to be eX-
tended to John Day, then it was
necessary for Baker City to come
forward with a subsidy of
$40, 600.
Last evening another confer
ence was held, Mr.. Grant Geddes
acting as Mr.. Eccles' representa-
tive at which meeting about u
dozen business men were pres
ent, Mr.. f. II. Dean acting as
chairman.
Mr.. Geddes repeated the above
statement regarding the subsidy
Baker City was expected to raise
and said that was Mr.. Eccles' ul-
timatum. He further said that
John Day had pledged $40. 600
and the Oregon Land Company,
owning the Dalles Military road.
had pledged $4,000, these being
contingent upon Baker City pied
ging $40, 900.
He said further that il this
money was raised and it must
be in a few days if at all work
would commence at once on the
extension and the road completed
to Prairie City by Thanksgiving
day. Until the road is completed
to John Day, which viii not be
likely before next year, no money
is to be paid.
In the foregoing the Democrat
gives the matter of the S. V. Ry,.
extension just as Mr.. Geddes pre-
sented it. 1t will be seen that
Mr.. Eccles is not quibbling. I'm
less Baker City puts up $4,000
as a bonus, subsidy, or whatever
it is called, there will be no ex-
tension of the Sumpter Valley
Railway.
1t is up to the Baker City peo-
pie squarely and fairly and action
must be taken at once. However,
much bonuses are espised; here is
a condition and not a theory that
presents itself to our people and
one that must not be overlooked
in the face of the vast benefit
that will accrue to the CONNER
,ial interests Of Baker City.
Burns, Harney county. has
pledged to throw its trade by the
signature Of every business man
% Baker City in case the roilroad
extension is made and that the
whole of that interior country
will be turned this way is assured.
A failure TO meet the demand
made upon it will place Baker
Jity in a very embarrassing po-
iition, financially and otherwise,
md our people cannot afford TO