Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-09-18
BATTLE FOR development
IN OREGON AND IDAHO
brownsville Western Monthly
September.)

Although Oregon has adopted the
word Beaver" for a nickname in
place of Webfoot, oregon continues
to fly with her own wings. This Is
the secret of rushing thousands OF
men into the canyon OF the Deschutes
and the pass through the Cascades
from Natron to Klamath Falls. II is
the fear OF the empire builders that
the people of oregon may learn TO
help themselves to build railroads,
that is driving the tracks OF steel
into undeveloped portions of the
state in twenty different directions.
What has caused this remarkable
change in the conditions of land
locked portions of the Inland Empire?
The greatest factor in transforming
territory OF $4,000 square miles,
which railroad builders have regarded
with listless apathy for twenty years,
into a seething hotbed OF promotion,
construction and even armed rivalry
for occupation. has been the educa-
tional campaign conducted for the
past year by what is known in the
newspapers as the oregon-Idaho De-
velopment Congress.
That congress. which celebrated It's
first anniversary August 20-21 on
Coos Bay with a clambake, barbecue,
concluding with a grand ball and ban
quet TO the assembled boosters. has
had the nerve to hold ten conventions
during the past year. To this word
nerve" might be added the word
gall" and the term "effrontery." be-
cause II has been purely a paper or
ganization. without even the grace OF
an incorporation, devoid OF any finan
cial backing, commercial congress
without n treasurer, for the expense
OF which not even collection has
been taken up, to say nothing OF a
warrant being drawn on It's treasury.
IL had these ten conventions, each
lasting two days. held in the cities
OF Marshfield. Roseburg, Vale, Salem,
Boise. Ontario. weiser. La Grande
and Burns, string OF progressive
cipalities-beans on the rosary
OF boosting communities across Gen.
tral Oregon and Southern Idaho. had
programs pulled off before their as
tonished citizens covering from four
to six assemblages in their opera
houses, where addresses were deliv-
cred, songs were sung. bands played
and toastmasters presided at ban
quets, whore every speech made, ev-
cry sentiment expressed. every word
uttered was for development, devel-
opment, development
Figure mp these audiences any way
You like, there We're not less than
5000 peope addressed by the speak
ers at each congress. This means
that 10000 people heard and ap-
plauded the arguments for develop
ment along the line OF the people
helping themselves, To what? Better
waterways. better highways, automo-
bile roads, electric railroads, steam
Misunderstanding to break up the
isolation of the great undeveloped
interior, Can you think what this
means 10 a region like Coos Bay and
Curry county, with their illimitable
forests and immeasurable coal fields
100 miles from the nearest railroad
Can you understand the thrills OF
hope that fill the bosoms OF the stal.
wart ranchers in the great Harney
valley, a region half as big as Inl-
nois, all lying $50 miles from a rail-
road, when there Is held out TO them
not only hopes but specific plans for
bringing TO their doors modern trans
portation facilities?
Not only have audiences totaline
$4,000 people heard the addresses OF
the brigAtest pubic speakers OF two
states along these lines. but the news
papers OF two states have carried 10
the ears OF million people the pleas
for more progressive policies and the
eloquent appeals for organized self
help.
The two great results to the CON-
munities needing development have
been First, greater confidence in
the matchless Industrial resources oi
the Inland Empire; second, an
aroused cvonscience and determine.
ton 10 help ourselves 10 secure
some OF the advantages OF modelr