Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-03-03
WHAT WILL SALEM DO?

WHAT WILL SALEM DO?
Deaf to the appeals of the CONNER
cial organizations of Polk County ant
Of over two hundred Of the leadint
I.achmund has vetoed the ordinance
permitting the Salem, Falls city
Western railroad to enter Salem
The Mayor filed no statement of hi
reasons for the veto, but in private
conversation has intimated that the
Polk County company should not be
given the privilege Of using steam To-
comotlyes within the city limits and
that II should have no right to extend
its track beyond connecting point
with the Oregon Electric railroad on
High Street.
The action Of the Salem Mayor
comes as a great surprise TO the peo-
pie Of his city, TO the railroad cOmpa-
ny, and to the people Of Polk County.
It seems almost unbelievable that any
resident Of Salem would oppose an
enterprise Of such vital importance to
the commercial interests of two
neighbor counties as the proposed ex-
tension Of the Polk County railroad
to a connection with the East Side
lines, especially when such an enter
prise would mean so much TO the fu-
ture of his home city. Yet, thB Is
what Mayor Lachmund has done; and
I'm taking such action he had the sup
mort ana apooura Oernapf NJ many
property owners along Union Street,
the thoroughfare through which the
track would pass. These residents
petitloned the Mayor to veto the or
dinancc, complaining that the smoke
and clnders from the locomotives
would prove a nuisance and that the
noise Of steam trains would disturb
their slumbers.
II the business and commercial de-
velopment Of two counties were not
concerned, It is probable that the rail-
road company and the people general
~ would be glad enough to heed the
drowsy request of these Union Street
Silurlans to please go way and let
us sleep" But with two rich and
prosperous counties seeking closer
connection, through a cross-country
railroad, It is not probable that any
one other than Mayor Lachmund will
give such hnlcky objections serious
consideration.
When Mr.. Gerlinger announced that
he was ready to build a railroad from
Black Rock to Dallas, the people OF
Dallas and Falls city not only gave
him his choice OF streets through
which 10 lay his tracks, but they gave
him farther announcement by sub
cribng many thousands of dollars to
assist him in the construction OF the
road. No complaint OF any noise or
smoke nuisance was heard from the
residents OF these towns, nor was any
objection urged later by the residents
of East Dallas when the company
asked for a franchise to extend It's
line on through the city on Its way TO
Salem. This noise and smoke" OBJ
lection Is a new one to the busy man
ufacturIng towns of Dallas and Falls
city. where the people have become
accustomed to noise and smoke and
would not be happy without II.
Mayor Lachmund well knows that
In barring the use OF all but electric
trains within the corporate limits OF
Salem, he is demanding something
which cannot be granted. II he would
only walk over 10 the West Salem
terminus some afternoon and see the
heavy logging trains that are operated
over this road, he might not be SO in
sistent In his demand for an electric
line II he would take a trip TO Black
Rock and watch the powerful loco I
motives strainlng TO the utmost In I
pulling these trains over the heavy. F.
mountain grades, we believe he would .
admit that no electric engine would I
be equal TO the task. The suggestion
that the company use electric motive 4
power IN Salem and steam locomo-
tlves on the remainder Of its line H.
30 impracticable as TO be unworthy Of
serious consideration.
II seems to the Observer that the ,
whole matter now resolves itself into
the question. Docs Salem want this
railroad Are It's people willing Co
give Polk County an outlet 90 the East
side. or are they going 20 assume the
role Of obstructionists. taking an they
can get and giving nothing In return.
thereby impeding the development Of
the entire willamette valleyg" Upon
the answer 10 this question viii de-
pend whether the railroad viii be-
built into the Capital city. or whether
It's terminus will continue 20 remain /
on the west bank Of the Willamette
River.
Mr.. GerlinEer has spoken. The
people Of Polk County. through their
commercial organizations. have made
their wishes known The legislature
has sanctioned the enterprise BY Fiy-
ing the company the right % bridge
the willamette River. ASSURANCES
are AZ hand that the War Department
VIII In no way oppose the project. and
n now rests with the City Council %
salem 20 say whether the work shall
proceed.
While critieising his Judgment. the
people q Polk County IN no way
QUESTION the motives % Mayor Iach-
mund IN opposing thc Franchise or
dinance. They are mindful OF the faci
that the business men % salem arr
friendly TO this enterprise. a. er-
pressed ~ TIE recent vots of Their
council. and the EtronE petition ask-
ing the Mayer O. approve the ordln-
nnoe. They believe that here b. aa
Instance where the council woald not
Only Be JUSTIFIED In settinE aside me
Mayors vsfo bat would BE- acting Ter
ne best intsresf q ne snfire Wuinm-
stts vaiiey On passing ths measure in
me face o. exccutivs disaprrovaL