Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-02-13
CONSISTENCY NEEDED.

Activity in Oregon along the line
of the purchase and use of made in
Oregon products calls to mind the
advisability of impresslng upon the
Portland promoters the plan of en-
ploying this idea in their own opera
tions. In this connection attention
is called to the fact that the building
stone used in the construction of the
new Multnomah county court house
is imported from New Bedford, Indi-
ania, when huge mountains OF as fine
building stone as can be found any
where on the continent exist in the
mountains to the east and west of the
Observer that the public buildings in
oregon cities should be made perma-
nent exhibits of Oregon products,
especially when there exists in this
state all the materials needed for
their construction. The cement, the
thing, the stone, the marble and the
lumber, may all be found here and
certainly at a great saving over the
imported article. Then why not use
them? The great building stone de-
oped, give employment to large num-
bers of men to say nothing of the
investment of capital, and the cOnse-
quent remunerative returns for such
investment The use of these home
materials In public buildings would
encourage private individuals to do
likewise and the end would be bene-
fetal in wide measure
Visitors to Denver who take occas-
ion TO view the magnificent state
capitol building of Colorado, are
proudly told by the residents of that
state, that everything used in the
construction of the building is a Col
orado product. Those who have seen
this beautiful building know that 1t
is among the most attractive state or
public buildings to be found In this
country and the loyal citizens of the
state take a pardonable pride in re-
ferring TO IT as strictly home made"
In Medford a banking institution
has just completed magnificent new
home for itself 1t is an imposing
structure, yet the stone used was
brought from an Eastern state and
that fact appears to be cause for
commending the enterprise" of the
builders and the Medford newspapers
proudly refer TO the building as be- |
ing constructed from Eastern mar
BILE" Promoters OF Oregon products |
do not look at the matter i'm that |
light. The owners of that building |
would have exhibited far more pub
lie spirit had they specified Oregon
materials. and their use would un-
doubtedly have resulted In as impos-
ing a structure and, at the same
time, helped to develop an important
industry OF the Beaver state.
II Is n noticeable fact that govern
ment architects, in specifying stone
for public buildings. invariably de-
eide upon the product OF some quar-
ry as remote as possible from the site
of the proposed building. In the con-
struction OF the public building at
Bellingham. Wash. Eastern stone
was specified Notwithstanding that
Washington stone. which had been
thoroughly tested and not found
wanting, was offered at more than
$4,000 less. The Observer. from
knowledge OF government
building construction In three states,
hnds that It Is invariably the case
that, no matter how close to suitable
stone proposed building Is located.
u Is nevertheless always necessary To
ship the stone from great distance.
This permits the railroads to share /
In the profits and Is really a nice
graft Tor the transportation compan-
les ,
There is no better building in the /
state Of oregon than the Polk county Q
'ourt house. Il is the pride OF Polk !
'ounty people and the admiration OF !
'trangers Yet every stone In it was {
luarried In this county. II is solid q
md substantial, was honestly con- i
'tructed and no county ever received d
more substantial return for the s
money. Il stands as a monument 10 O
oregon enterprise and the stability 5
q Oregon building material. a