The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-05-16
ASTORIA WANTS TO KNOW.

The people Of Astoria are patiently
awaiting the next and newest reason
to Be offered BY the Trustees Of the
Weinhard Estate. at Portland, for
not proceeding with the fine hotel
they have projected here. and upon
which by way Of site and foundations
they have spent practically $4,000
The financial slump that swept over
the country was given. and accepted
as a cause for delay; the alleged
necessity Of the trust for additional
means to the extent of $4,000, was
met BY this city, with the proffer of
a loan at 4 per cent, which was turn.
ed down; and the issues of the liquor
electoral matters in Portland was EN-
pIoyed to account for the further de-
lay in the work, and that has fallen
to the ground by reason of the ami
hilative discrepancies discovered in
the petitions incident to the campaign
and now the trustees are up against
it for another excuse that shall have
rational weight with this people.
When the pleas already submitted,
as above outlined, are subjected to
logical analysis, they are plausible
enough, but hardly german or actu-
ally sound and were tentatively ac-
cepted here, because there was no
desire on the part Of our people to
urge the matter against the will or
convenience Of the parties at interest;
but the chief effect OF the long and
dubious delay has been to convince
Astorians that they too are parties at
interest and to arouse the conviction
that they are being played with; that
there is some ulterior object in view,
in the transaction Of which this city
must commit itself in some way to
the Weinhard interest. before We may
have the benefit Of the new and hand
some hotel as an adjunct TO the pop
ular regimen here. The idea does
not set well on the public mind, and
the time is opportune for the resump-
ton Of the work on this improvement
which is deemed to be among the
most logical and timely investments
that can be made in this section by
anyone. The spectacle OF city Of
$1,000 population, without first
class hotel, and that city the distribut-
ing point for 50 coast resorts north
and south. within easy striking dis
tance, and center of rail and sea
traffic. as to passengers, the whole
year through, is one to invite the con-
eern Of other investors than the
Weinhard people; but to prescript-
i've conditions set up here, by them,
in the shape Of project Of which
one fifth of its total cost has already
been spent, has deterrent effect on
such other investments.
The Weinhard people are standing
in their own light by losing out on
one of the best investments they ever
made in business way; they are in
juring the city by the senseless delay
in supplying the most commanding
need of the place; they are acting as
a barrier OF other investors and Grip
ping the progress of the city; and
what is more they are losing friends
in Astoria daily by the "dog in the
manger" policy they are pursuing.
If the excavations and foundation
pillars on the Twelfth street site are
being held over this city as club, for
the exaction Of liberal toll in the way
of political concessions next year, ii
is time the people should know it and
take steps accordingly; and it is also
time that the trustees were apprisei
Of the major determination here to
resist any such juggling. We are not
asking the Weinhard Estate to do
anything they have not already stud
led out and practically endorsed; but
we are asking them to do business"
or get out of the way of others who
will do it. Astoria is tired of the
palpable cinch II is, at last plainly
apparent; and the Weinhards will
lose far less by proceeding with their
enterprise, than in nursing it as
"big stick, financially, politically, and
commercially