10
THE MORNIXG OREGOXIAN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1. 1908.
FOMTLAND, THE METBDFOIia MB SALEM
OF OBEXiON, NOW IINKED BY ELECTRIC RAWWT.
THE CAPITAL
Scenes Along Oregon Electric
(Railway Company's Line Which Will
Ultimately Extend
From End to End of Willamette
Valley
TYRE OF COVSMA TOfV &45SEUCER. CAR FOR
USE OV ORE&OAf J-CTSZC Z-Wi V
AN EI-CTRIC railway from fort
land up the Willamette Valley has
long been one of the needs of
Oregon, and todaV this la no ' longer a
paper railroad, but a reality. The line
of the Oregon Electric Company, link
ing Portland and Salem, has been com
pleted and preliminary operations uf
trains mill begin this month. The full
equipment of rolling stock will be at
hand by February 13 and on that date,
possibly sooner, the permanent freight
and passenger schedule will be inaugu
rated. The construction of this trolley line is
one of the important achievements of the
year in Oregon and it will result in
mutual benefit to Portland and a large
section of the Willamette Valley. East
ern capital, which is behind the project,
has used every effect to follow the most
modern methods in every Item of the
construction work, and It is declared that
a better electric line is not to be found
In America.
The new line has a length of 50 miles
and Its heavlett grade is 2',4 per cent. It
will be a steam road in all respects but
the motive power. The rails are of the
70-pound type, there are no sharp curves
nd trains will be operated under stand
ard rules.
The new road leaves Portland on the
west side of the Willamette, extending
through a rich .section of country, at
present with poor transportation facili
ties, and crosses the river at Wllsonvlllf,
about 20 miles from this cify. From WII.
sonville the new road practically parallels
the main line of the Southern. Pacific,
but will serve a territory not directly on
the Harriman tracks and will result in
the establishment of several new towns.
The construction of this line is a direct
outcome of the steady growth of busi
ness and population in the Willamette
Valley. The portion of the valley to be
crossed has been rapidly developing and
the new road will have from the start a
good pflseenjper and freight traffic, which
is certain to Increase. There Is a large
business to be done in the transportation
of fruit, hops, hay. grain, feed, vegeta
bles, cordwood and a lumber traffic that
will Increase.
The passenger service will be especially
helpful in giving rapid and frequent
service between the metropolis and the
capital of the state. This will be of
more fhan usual benefit during sessions
of the Legislature and the State Fair at
Salem, and on occasions when residents
of the Valley are drawn to Portland in
large numbers. The best of workmanship
on grades, bridges and trestles will make
It possible to run cars with safety at high
speed.
One of the main features of the line is
the bridge across the Willamette at Wil
sonvllle. This Is SOO feet long, with fo:ir
steel spans, resting on concrete piere.
The structure is 75 feet above low water
level and has approaches 2S00 feet in
length. It is said to be the finest bridge
ever built for the exclusive use of an
electric road. Beyond this bridge to a
point near Chemawa is a straight tan
gent 19U miles in length and along
which the scenery is strikingly beautiful.
Power 'for the operation of this line is
to be furniphed by the Portland Railway,
Light & Power Company from its plant
at Oregon City. It will be carried on a
transmission line to four substations dis
tributed at intervals of about ten miles.
These substations contain machinery of
the latest type. The road is equipped
with two freight motors of 600 horse
power each and eight modern, combina
tion passenger cars. These coaches con
tain baggage, express and smoking com
partments and accommodations for 60
passengers.
The officers of the Oregon Electric
Company are: President, George Barclay
Moffat, New York: vice-president and
general manager, Guy W. Talbot, Port
land; secretary, George T. Nevlns, Port
land; assistant secretary, A. E. Goddard,
New 'York; treasurer, Henry W. Brower,
New York: assistant treasurer, Fred B.
Reed, Portland: directors, George Barclay
Moffat, Charles M. Pratt. William A.
White. Alfred C. Bedford and Sidney Z.
Mitchell, of New York, and Guy W.
Talbot and Ertwarri Cnokinsham. of Port- I
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Ty.vrfg-g.y-; ,:mzj&r- lJl szrmm'-fM A m-. i
szjfj7ZE:sri.E or Oregon jectrc rajlway r meax .sa&:s Morr: "'T " -Cnt
' II ii-fJIf ! ill IT -
aT 6.wrr dews. $AC(STjou"s
MA P SHOWfHG: COMPLETED
PORTLAND a SALEi
oxssON of the:
Oregon Electmc
land. " The operating-foree is composed
of Guy W. Talbot, general manager; C.
A. Coolidge, superintendent: G. T. Nevlns,
traffic manager and auditor; C. D.
Phillipp, chief dispatcher.
It is generally understood that the
present Oregon Electric Railway to
Salem is but the first division of a sys
tem that will eventually extend on south
to Eugene and possibly beyond that city.
Other lines have been projected through
out various parts of the state and Indi
cations are that electric transportation
will play an important part in the future
development of Gh-egon.
OREGON LAND OF OPPORTUNITY
By i. B. Ijibcr, Secretary rortland Board of
Trade.
AT no time since the arrival of the
first pioneer has Oregon offered
more attractions to the home
seeker and investor than at present. The
idea that the early settler got the cream
of all worth having In the state has been
proved fallacious by every newcomer of
discernment. The truth is that the hardy
pioneer but paved the way for the future
generations to follow. The broad mea
dows, the miles of billowy grain and the
vast areas of orchards of our justly far
famed red apples are the glowing tribute
to the energy and Industry of Oregon's
pathfinders and of Oregon's superior cli
mate and fertility.
As yet there Is plenty of room in a state
that has an area of 96.030 sauare miles!
with a present population of a trifle over
700.000. An idea of the vastness of Ore- 1
gon's size may be gained by a compari
son with nine of the most prominent At
lantic Coast States, vis.: Massachusetts, i
Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New j
iiampsnire. jNew York, New Jersey,
Maryland and Pelaware, representing al
most the same area as Oregon, with a j
population of about 17.500.000, nearly 17.-
wiMMi more people man Oregon, and yet
Oregon has a greater tillable area, which
leads to the reasonable conclusion that
this state is capable . of supporting 25,
000.000 people. ,
Comparing the climatic conditions " of
Oregon with those of that group of,
states, a most remarkable difference in
favor of Oregon is found. Though Ore
gon's geographical position is the same
depree north latitude as the northermost
of that group. Oregon shows a .Winter
climate wholly unlike that of the East
ern Coast States, the minimum tempera
ture for 18 years being H above lero
(one day), while the Summer heat rarely
ever reaches 100 degrees three times in
10 years, one. day each), the nights be
ing invariably cool and requiring the use
of blankets for comfort.
It seems needless to say hat hurri
canes and cyclones, waterspouts and
droughts are unknown in Oregon, and
that thunderstorms, even of the mtldest
tpe. are so rare as to be considered a
novelty.
Or
EGON IhLECTMC
w
Y
o
PORTLAND - SALEM LINE
In Full Operation About February First. Fifty Miles of the Most Modern Constructed Railway System in the United States
it
I
U n il IM h JJ
ME OF' THE NEW COACHES.
Eight Limited and Local Trains Each Way Per Day
in minis iiliii.ihiiihw -s
OPEN FOR
BUSINESS
OREGON KLECTRIC RAILWAY
COMPANY will partially open
for business about January 1st.
On account of the bad weather
and manufacturers' delay in deliver
ing: equipment, full operation will
not be under way until about the
first of February.
A reorganization of directors and
officers has taken place and on De
cember 6 stockholders' meeting was
Held In Portland. Oregon, electing
nev directors, and on Monday. De
cember 23, directors' meeting was
IielcT In New York and new officers
elected. ' The new directors and
officers are as follows:
DIRECTORS
CHAS. M. PRATT New York-
A. C. BEDFORD New York
GEO. BARCLAY MOFFAT. New York
VM. A. WHITE New York
SIDNEY MITCHELAi New York
GUY W. TALBOT ..Portland
E. COOKINGHAM Portland
OFFICERS
President." GEO. BARCLAY
MOFFAT New York
Vice Pres. and Gen. Mgr.. GUY
W. TALBOT Portland
Secretary, GEO. F. NEVINS...
Portland
Asst. Secretary; A. E. GODDARD
New York
Treasurer, HENRY W. BROWER
New York
Asst. Treasurer.. FRED B.
REED ..Portland
Traffic Mgr. and Auditor, GEO.
F. NEVINS Portland
Superintendent, C. A. COOLIDGE
Portland
General Counsel. R. BURNHAM
MOFFAT New York
Counsel. CAREY & KERR. .Portland
Chief Dispatcher, C. J. PHILLIPP
Portland
Chief Surgeon. DR. EARNEST
TUCKER Portland
Elcc. Engineer, H. MILLIKEN
v Portland
, Roadmaster; F. W. PRAHL
Portland
Master Mechanic, WM. FRAGH-
MIER Portland
As soon as the new Multnomah
buiiding (on Fifth and Morrison
streets) is completed the headquar
ters of the company will be moved
to the seventh floor of this build
ing, where commodioua ' quarter
hare been secured.
. On the completion of the line in
- every respect so that prompt and
satisfactory service can be rendered
to the public, the company will In
augurate an eight-train passenger
service in each direction every 24
hours. These trains will be divided
In two classes, limited and local;
there will be three limited trains in
each direction, balance local. Limited
trains will leave Portland and
Salem at convenient hours and will
not make any Intermediate stops
between terminals. The time be
tween Portland and Salem on these
trains during the winter season will
be about an hour and forty-five
minutes; local trains about two
hours and fifteen minutes. The In
auguration of this schedule does not
mean that additional trains will not
be put on later, as they will be
whenever traffic demands it. v
Monday ticket will be on sale be
tween all stations and Portland and
Salem, at one and one-third first
class fare; a thousand-mile mileage
book will be placed on sale at two
and one-half cents per mile; the
one-way fare between Portland and
Salem will be $1.50 and one-way
fare between stations will be at cor
responding rate of three cents per
mile. Round-trip rates between all
stations at reduced rates.
Special rates for
special events
it" addition this company will
from time to time as occasion re
quires it. Issue special reduced
single and round-trip rates for
specific events. The usual ten or
more party rate of two-thirds one
way, and one and one-third round
trip first-class fare will be In effect
for regular organized amusement or
' athletic, etc., organizations.
In addition to the above, this com
pany will arrange on request for
spe'-lal chartered cars or trains at
reduced rates for the exclusive use
of parties.
EQUIPMENT OF
HIGHEST TYPE
v -V i4 v, jy3ig$hj&
1 ' . y.Tp.-ii '.strjvVczzi-ta
A. '-s"r-AtC 'i.tftii "riA
THROIGH THALATW PLAINS.
Passenger equipment highest type heated by electri
city every modern improvement in railroading used
RATE OF FARE
The rates of fare between stations
will be based on the class of ticket
with accompanying conditions as
follows: .
A 90 - day family 25 ride com
mutation ticket will be on sale at
each station on basis of two cents
per mile; a week-end Saturday to
The passenger equipment for this
line will be of the highest type
made. The company for the Winter
will run single-car trains. The car
used in the service will be a com-,
bination baggage, smoking and day
coach. The Inside of the car is ma
hogany finish, upholstered seats,
heated by electricity and as com
fortable as money can make them.
The trains of 'this company will be
operated by standard American Rail
road Association rules for single
track lines and a thoroughly compe
tent dispatching system will be inr
augurated, the company using tele
graph system with an auxiliary tele
phone for the purpose of avoiding
any and all delays.
It Is the purpose of the company
to giv service for revenue received
and'it Is its policy to cover the wants
of the public as far as it is consistent.
FREIGHT
BUSINESS
As soon as the passenger system
is inaugurated and as soon as the
necessary freight sidetracks and
buildings can be completed, they
will inter Into a general freight
business. Tariff showing reasonable
rates are now being published.
Freight service will be frequent, so
as to make prompt deliveries.
In addition to this the company
will do a general express business,
which Is now being worked out. It
will be the aim of the management
to make this as high a class electric
line as Is in operation anywhere in
the country. The road has already
cost in the neighborhood of two
million dollars.
The Portland and Salem line will
l.e the initial one for a number of
branch lines, and further extensions
to Southern Oregon through the
Willamette Valley. .
f lin n- , . k3aitU,
TAXUEXT TRACK THROIGH THE TIMBER.
LINE CONSTRUCTED BY W. S.
BARSTOW & CO., ENGINEERS
THE line of the Oregon Electric
Railway Company, now nearing
completion, is the first work of
magnitude undertaken by W. S.
Barstow & Co. on the Pacific Coast.
This firm, represented In the West
by R. L. Donald, have offices in the
Falling building. Portland. and
Montreal. Canada: also at 50 Pine
street. Nw York, and during the
past year have handled approxi
mately $6,000,000 worth of new con
struction. The methods by which S. Bar-
etow & Co. have done this work re
somewhat new to the West. They
practically received an order to sup
ply a railway of the most approved
type for eleVtrical operation from
Portland to Salem. It Immediately
became their business to secure all
necessary franchises, acquire rights
of way. real estate, make all pur
chases of materials, secure the plant
necessary for construction, purchase
the equipment and prepare it com
plete to turn over to the Railway
Company for operation. The results
of their efforts In the Portland-
Road Runs Through Wooded Districts, Over Beautiful Streams, and Over Well-Constructed High Bridges. A Scenic Route of SO Miles '
Salem line have produced a railway
of approximately 50 miles lon:. laid
with 70-lb. rails, having gradients
much better than those on the steam
railways entering the same terri
tory, having at no place any curve
ir.ore than 7 degrees, and having the
longest portion of straight track In
the State of Oregon, one tangent
belnjr 1914 miles long, lying on
what is known as the prairie south
of the Willamette River, between
Salem and Wilsonville. Only 15 per
ceitt of this line is on curved track,
while other interurban electric rail.
ways in the West have as much as
65 per cent of their lines on curva
ture. The roadbed has been made
solid from end to end, no trestle not
absolutely necessary having been In
troduced on the basis of economy.
One feature of interest to Oregon
is in the bridge over the Willamette
River at Wilsonville, which Is the
largest engineering structure in the
state, and will remain so until the
bridge over the Columbia River is
completed. It is the first railway
bridge in Oregon constructed at such
a height as to dispense with the
necessity for a draw span. This
bridge was erected under very great
difficulty during the unusual high
waters of last Winter, by the forces
under the direction of W. S. Barstow
4k Co. The deck of this bridge is
135 feet above the bed of the Willa
mette River, or practically as high
sis the. clock !n the tower of the Ore
gonian building is above the side
walk, and is a structure which will
be of great Interest -to visitors and
tourists. The magnitude of this
structure is evident by an Inspection,
of the photograph shown here.
SnwnnnifiMnwiiiiii usi mmim im mmmnwkm mi iisuirrnrmiffiihiiBMaiin 11111S1) IfciniiMSillM mi
A HEAVY TRESTLE.