East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-15

ing up this SUBJECT To-Day merely 10
show up a shyster newspaper. The
subject is here discussed because that
paper in its disappointment over its
defeat is befouling Its own nest Its
course tends to turn the people of
Birch creek and other streams
against the city of Pendleton anl
against the Pendleton Commercial
club. This when there is not a shad-
ow of excuse for it.
BY its actions Wednesday night the
Commercial club did not oppose the
welfare OF settlers on Birch and Nc
Kay creek. on the contrary the club
upheld their interests. One resolu-
ton which was passed and has been
wired to President Taft asks the gov
eminent not merely to protect the
rights and welfare of upper river set
tiers but goes beyond that and asks
that the government allow upper river
lands to be watered beyond legal
rights for the reason that irrigation
on the upper river and tributary
streams will be beneficial TO projects
farther down the river since it will
increase the summer flow. How could
the club have taken stronger stand
for the welfare of upper river wa
terusers?
If the Steiwer resolution was a
Birch creek move it was not so shown
at the meeting Wednesday night
When he presented his resolution
Fred Steiwer stated, explicitly that he
was acting merely as a member of
the club. Nor did J. r. 2aley, who
also upheld the amendment, claim
that he spoke as a representative of
Rirch creek settlers. No one knew
for whom those men were speaking
unless for themselves.
1t was the sentiment of those pres
ent that the amendment was a need
less and iil-timed slap at the govern
, ment; that it could do Birch cheek
people no good and might do them
harm. SO it was voted down.
As to the adjudication suits this
paper expressed its views yesterday
II might be a good thing for Birch
creek people to have those suits with
| drawn or it might be injurious to
those people. This paper does not
know and is not attempting to saw.
In the discussion of the subject by
Roscoe r. Johnson that gentleman
brought out points which makes it
look extremely doubtful if the with
drawal of these suits would be for the
welfare of the upper river settlers.
But regardless of this the Com
mercial club was absolutely right in
voting down the Steiwer resolution
Wednesday night. If that was a
| Birch creek resolution it was not
properly presented. There was moth
ing to show whether that resolution
was fathered by Birch creek people.
or by the Furnish interests or by
some other contingent that might have
interests very much opposed to the
interests of Birch and Mckay creek
farmers. If upper river settlers re-
ally want the Commercial club to ask
the government to drop the adjudi-
| cation suits it is very probable the
club will fully meet their wishes
when their wishes are presented in
such a manner as to make their de-
! sires clear. There is still plenty of
! time for that.
The Commercial club stands for the
welfare of territory tributary to PEN
dleton. So do all the business men
of the city So does the East Ore
gcnian. The attempt to create an i'm
| preston to the contrary arises either
through ignorance of the situation or
is the malicious work of men who are
sore because the Commercial club en-
dorsed the West Extension.