The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-12

passenger agent OF the Astoria divis-
ion OF the S, P, & S. Railroad and
asked il common point rate would
not be made on wheat 10 Astoria for
shipment eoSstwise, The only ans.
wer received was an indefinite post.
ponement until after the bridge over
the Columbia and the Willamette riy-
ers was constructed, Upon the oe-
casion Of the visit 70 Astoria ia Nov
ember OF James J. Hill, chairman OF
the executive boald which controls
this road, a memorial carefully pre-
pared by Chairman Bowlby Of the
Commerce and Navigation Commit
tee and by the Secretary, was hand
ed direct TO Mr., Hill asking consid.
Grafton, being IN accordance with the
personal letter he had written TO the
Secretary previous 10 his arriving
here in which he promised TO look in
to the matter The announcement OF
this Hill steamship line may be taken
as authoritative and official reply to
the memorial in question so far as
coastwise business in wheat is con-
cerned
On "Wednesday the sth Of April a
meeting was held in the Chamber be-
tween Chairman Bowlby Of the
transportation Committee, the Presi-
dent and the Secretary and c, D,
Aitchison and Rate Clerk Miller Of
the State Railroad Commission for
the purpose OF amicably pushing, i
possible. the cause Of the common
point wheat rate over the "A. 4 G,
Railroad to Astoria. Although Mr..
Aitchison saw the officials Of that
oad personally several times he was
never able to get any satisfaction out
Of them. Later the opinion OF the
State Railroad Commission was given
us that we should proceed legally to
make a formal complaint before the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
II Is the opinion Of at least one
prominent attorney OF this city that
il we should find the money neees-
sary 10 pay for persistent legal cam.
paign before the Interstate Commerce
Commission we could secure the rate
to this port on wheat so much desir-
cd and which would have been graf
ed many years ago had the late Coils
p Huntington lived few years long
sr.
In March the Department OF Com
merce and Labor authorized additi-
onal range lights al the mouth OF the
Columbia River and off Tillamook
Head to aid vessels seeking TO enter
the Columbia River by night. The
Chamber OF Commerce sought these
aids at the suggestion of our local
interests for many months.
On Thursday, April 9th, Captain
made his initial trip in the
Steamer r. Miller to Cathlamet, Ska
mokawa and other points in which a
number OF the members OF the Cham
Der Of Commerce participated, this
being the initial trip Of a new and
important local service. The mer-
chants agreed to patronize this line1
continuously and while It has not
been a source Of great profit to Cap
tain Babbidge this organization can
make it as valuable as pos
sible under the circumstances BY CIV
ing it all their business.
Upon the request Of the Roads and
Committee, an automobile
road from Skipanon to Ciatsop Beaeh
was completed by the County Court
early in the summer and il is now
possible by keeping this road clear OF
sand for automobiles to use Clatsop
Beach for a racing or pleasure course
During the past year the good roads
have done everything in
their power to further the completion
Of the good road proposition from
Portland, through St. Helens, Vesper
and Jewell to this city. Our County
Court is proceeding most satisfactor-
ly with this cotnty's portion but so
far nothing has been done BY the
Portland Automobile Club or colum-
bia County. This is one of the enter
Drises that could be pushed through |
during the coming year with the
proper and earnest cooperation OF
Columbia County and the Portland
Automobile Club.
DR.. L. F. Hawley, organic chemist
rom the Forest Service Of the Agri-
cultural Department at Washington,
arrived here in May at the request OF
his organization and after several
weeks experimenting made a report
upon the bi-produets that may be
'ound in the gtumps and trees Of this
ocality. His report has been pub
ished by this organization and sent
10 the various commercial bodies
throughout the Northwest and to the
newspapers and periodicals, being in
act, the first and only authoritative
on this subject ever furn-
shed by the federal government.
During he last session Of congress
md during the present session, with