Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-02-08

en Oregon "a larger territory and fully equal to easter
washington IN natural opportunities lies today an open deS-
e0the region most neglected of railroads of any part Of
the United States,
This brings US with all the force of the instinct of Se-pe-
SeVaton to the question: Must great empire wait the plea
Sure1the WhImr it you pIeaSe-ot single individual a
small group OF nonresident CaptaStS2 There is no pan
none in the world which not of better economic and COM
nerca logic than to continue to occupy this helpless and
IhumIiating position
There is still another suggestion Mr. Hartman has mil
lions OF Oegonade money 10 fight his rivals and to develop
the state OF Washington Can there be any plan which eco
nomIGay and commercially worse than for this state to
Sl helpless as wooden idol while from its toll and soil and
PRODUCTS tribute money is paid to prevent other roads from
coming into the state for its relief Such an antagonsm of
interest between this state and the private corporations con-
HoIeo by Mr. Hartman suggests radical economic con-
ItliCt
Word as to the merits Of the plan now before the Iegsa-
uTen prejudice against Stateaded railroads was prop
er one upon od-tme facts, Graters and manpuIatorS
procured from state legislatures city councils large bonuses
or bond guarantees as pure gift Nothing was ever re-
ICeNeo by Stale or CITY IN return The proposed amendment
conempateS state construction for the states own benefit
leasing WSe 10 private corporations for a rental never to
De less Than interest and all fixed charges, and sinking
fund TO retire any Indebtedness and the state to control the
reasonable rates and service aid IS granted to private
corporation the state to be in full control until that aid is
repaid principal and interest and il the state itself takes over
the road which may do at its option the aid granted shall
road shall ever be sold,
Under these guarantees and in our ripper experience is
dHcuIt to see how the private grating railroad can Get
o0hod and must be remembered that the state ALWAYS
mas the power to condemn and take over any railroad is
loY Tor u.s. confronted with teuda tyranny which holds
S great sovereign state as VSSa, waiting the good pleasure
OF lew men, to be frightened at that evil which caused the
restrictive clauses OF our state constitution but which evil
beng now seen and understood is perfectly in our own con-
troll
The 0regonian in an editorial suggests that Mr. Hartman
wl welcome this proposed plan, because after the road is
Ou he viii take over al less than cost and meanwhile he
VIII freeze out The answer to the first of these objections
is that the state cannot SELL Mr. Hartman cannot take the
road over at any price save leased pOpey under strict
conditions OF lease one Of which conditions is rental at
least sufficient to pay all interest and TO create a sinking
fund to lQuidate all debt
The answer to the other objection is the interstate COM
MERGE act regulates all interchange OF traffic and the state
OF Oregon cannot in its interest regulate the traffic with
m It's own borders ought to suffer- There is not road pro-
posed but will abundanB pay from local traffic, Look at the
Columbia Southern Think OF the timber alone Oregon has
70 haul ook at the profits Oregon pays every year to Mr.
Hartman from roads wholly within It's territory If Mr. Har-
rlman should attempt toSQueeZe the state of Oregon
we are afraid he would occupy the position of the bull which
contested right OF way with the locomotive Oregon has the
same credit to build that Mr. HarmanS bonds ultimately
rest on VIZ the people and the OF the State of Or
egOn
Mr. Hartman does truly look with favor on this plan, The
Journal is glad Or then there will not only be no opposition
open secret from railroad influence, but that powerful in
uence VIII to the first time be working hand in hand with
long neglected Oregon people,
Journal is reliably informed that the best business men of
The state are wng wanted TO act this matter for the
state without pay All the state is back of this movement
Ooh me business men and the tameTS and Il behooves
every man ana every newspaper IN state TO think long be-