Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-02-23
PoRTLAND'S CONTENTION IS CORRECT

We do not agree with the Oregonian on many things
mostly political, but its stand in the Astoria rate case
strikes responsive chord for believe it is correct
1t is the only newspaper in Portland that seems to under
stand the Importance of the event. and what means to
Portland 1t realizes the situation is grave and says
in no uncertain terms.
The 0regonan points out that while it conceded
Astora's contention was correct that Porands saliva
ton as shipping point at stake and that vigorous,
united and persistent fight must be made until she is
given preferential rates compared with those OF
Astoria or the Sound.
For forty years Portland has spent her money gener
ousy to open the Columbia and remove the bar at its
mouth Through her efforts the general government has
done great work. and Portland has not stood idly by
while this being done but has put up her coin and
her energy in aiding the good and necessary work.
She has done mans part in opening and deepening
the channel of the Columbia and made herself an inland
seaport Her work has brought the sea 11O miles nearer
the Inland Empire than Astoria
Why should she not be allowed the advantages arls-
ing from this work?
Astoria has an undoubed right to have the same rates
as Sound ports and indeed from strictly honest view
really little better rates for the reason the haul is
shorter.
Why should Portland not have better rates grain
from the great wheat belt of eastern Oregon and Wash
ington than Seattle with great mountain climb haul
through Portland 18O miles longer or than Tacoma with
haul of $50 miles further, or Astoria ITO miles?
At the loading end of the routes the railroads are
careful to make rates according to the length of haul
The rates from Wallowa to Portland are higher than
from Pendleton Why? Because the haul is longer.
They are higher from Pendeton to Portland than from
The Dalles or Bggs Why? Because the haul is longer
Why should distance be always counted by the railroads
on one end of their roads and not on the other?
1t costs as much haul grain from Portland to Seattle
as it does from PendetOn to Portland Why then does
the railroad make charge far as Portland and none
from that point to Seattle or Tacoma?
If the railroads are paid sufficiently for hauling grain
from Pendeon to Seattle by way Of Portland they are
paid too much for hauling it from Pendeton to Portland
That is an ndisputabe statement.
If the rate they have from Pendleton to Astoria
is enough then the charge for hauling the same
grain from Pendeton to Portland passes out of the realm
of profit and becomes larceny.
In making this discrimination against Portland they
must rob the grain grower pay for their favotiSm
Then too costs towage and other expenses for ships
to come from Astoria to Portland and the dferenal in
Porands favor should be large enough to cover this eX
pense to put her on an equality with other terminal points
Why should the railroads haul grain from Portland to
Astoria for nothing in competition with paid river
traffic?
There is no possible light in which the situation can
be seen that does not back Portands contention and
point to lower rate for Portland than her competitors
as the only honest square solution of the problem 1t is
right and therefore wrongs one.