East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-02-10
: 4. :. !. !. + = + = :. j. + = + 4


That Secretary Of the Interior Rich
ard A. Ballinger has been enlisted by
the forces fighting the Washington
Oregon traction company seems evil
dent from facts that have just been
disclosed. Either intentionally or un-
Intentionally the secretary has used
his power to hinder the plans of the
noyf company. However from appear
ances his action will not seriously af-
feet the situation.
stories were sent out from Walla
Walla yesterday and appeared in the
Portland papers last evening to the
effect that the recent Withdrawals of
land on the Wara Walla river by the
secretary affected the company's pro-
posed power site. As Interpreted in
the reports sent out from the Garden
CITY the action Of the secretary, un-
less revoked. will seriously cripple the
company in its operations.
Drumhcllcr Not Afraid.
Regarding the possible effect of the
yocretary's action upon his company
President samuel Drumheller was in
tervieved over the phone today by
the East Oregonian. In substance MI
Drumheller said that until the matter
* more fully investigated he is un-
certain as to the exact effect OF the
secretary's action upon the company
His opinion however is that the COM
many is absolutely safe in its position
or at least it cannot be seriously al
fected. In his judgment the only
possible effect of the Withdrawals, If
continued. will be to make the COM
pany shorten its flume. The power
Site itself and the first eight miles OF
flume are not affected in any way 10y
the Withdrawals.
put whatever the outcome of this
feature may bo. Mr. Drumheller says
the secretarv's action should not al
feet the raising of Pendleton money
for the traction system. According
f., Mr. Drumheller local people will be
ruIv protected in their investments
regardless of how this matter may De
!. tiled.
MIR. Fitz Gerald Explains.
d. Fitz Gerald, who has been rep
resenting the traction company in
mis- state. corroborated Mr. Drum
beuer's statement today though go
ing more fully into the matter AS
explained by Mr.. Fitz Gerald the
companv's power site is in range IS
land the filing is absolutely good and
will be valid on condition the COM
r,rv rrocceds with its development
work. The company has two years
time in which to develop its power.
The first or upper eight miles of the
| companv's proposed flume lies also in
range IS. All of the land withdrawn
| lies in range 81. west Of the company :
mower site. and part of the lana Is
pdiacent to the lower flume. Should
! the Withdrawals stand the company
will be hampered in its work, but
win still be able to develop 5000
horse power plant. Should the COM
pany not be hampered by the With
drawals it can develop approximately
5000 horse power, SO it is estimated
Act Arouecs Indignation.
In the local traction circles the
news that the secretary of the inter
| Tor has been used in what seems like
plain attempt to block the wash
| mgton- Oregon company's enterprise
has aroused Indignation. This is put
ting the matter mildly. However the
local workers are not discouraged by
the action. on the contrary it is pro-
posed to proceed with the raising of
the local subscription. The commit
tee is now doing some effective work
towards raising the remainder of the
money needed.