The Sunday Oregonian., May 21, 1911, SECTION THREE, Page 11, Image 47

TITE SUNDAY OKEGOXIAN", F011TLAXD, MAY
21, 1011.
It
The Portland Railway, Light and Power Company
believes that its Motives would be better under
stood and its Loyalty to Portland more keenly
appreciated, if, the People of the City were aware
of what it has done and is about to do to make
Portland Bigger and Busier than ever before.
THEREFORE,
this company has caused to be collected a careful comparison of the statistics which
interest the general public in all of the larger cities of the United States,
the operation of street railway, light and power companies is concerned.
so tar as
Through
the columns of this paper, a few of these interesting' subjects will be treated daily. Remember, we have our faults, and
we Know it You" will ag'ree with us, however, on one g'eneral proposition of interest to us all, that the man or com
pany that can Keep constantly up to date in the matter of service in a community that is growing' as fast as our magnifi
cent Northwest, has a contract upon hand that will test the nerve and brain power of the finest business heads of the
Nation. We want to present our side of the question in a way that will tend to bring' the traveling' public more into
harmony with the tremendous tasK we have before us. ,. ,-,- -
FIRST, we invite candid criticism of our service, in whatever department, and through the daily papers, we will be glad
to taKe them up, one by one, for the g'eneral information of the public.
SECOND, we desire to inform you of the number of people who actually depend upon this company for their living. We
wish to call your earnest attention to the millions of dollars we place in circulation every year through our army of
employes.
THIRD, you will be interested in Knowing' that suburban growth in Portland has been made possible through the exten
sion of our various lines. We really want you to Know these extensions have been built, long' before they had the slight
est prospect of returning' a cent of profit. We asK you to judge for yourselves if the improvement worK done by this com
pany has not shown greater confidence in this city than any individual or hundred individuals have ever shown.
FOURTH, we merely suggest that this company is the largest tax payer in Multnomah County, paying' more than double
that of any two organizations, and we will discuss with you, very franKly, the matter of taxation.
FIFTH, it will amaze you to learn that it has been beyond the ability of human effort to provide the best of service, in all
cases, in the same proportion that Portland has grown. These fig'ures will be new to you, and will demonstrate the
gigantic activity that has been required to meet the conditions.
SIXTH, you may be surprised to Know that while the population of Portland has not doubled in six years, the number of
cars in operation by this company has more than doubled, and yet, we admit, there is room for improvement. You, pos
sibly, cannot understand this, and we wish to maKe it clear to you.
SEVENTH, you would not believe, perhaps, tha,t in five years, the expenditures of this company will have exceeded
FORTY MILLION DOLLARS, for all purposes, while its GROSS earnings have been less than TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS.
The difference shows confidence in the city to the extent of over TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS. What other company has
done as much with the possible exception of J. J. Hill ? , , -'- ?
EIGHTH, we will touch briefly upon the fact that Portland is continually appealing to outside capital to come here and
invest. And, we will show you that 99 per cent of the money expended has been secured from Eastern financial centers.
This is good. We liKe to have it so. You do, too. You will be interested in Knowing' more about that subject, for it is new
to you. Outside capital furnishes the bone and sinew that maKes Portland healthy. 4
NINTH, ponder for a moment what would happen for a short while if this company were to go out of business without
a moment's notice. hth..
FINALLY. These and Kindred subjects will be discussed with you. We believe that publicity of this character will
arouse a spirit of co-operation that will be of benefit to this company, and, indirectly, to every patron of this company.
There is one thing', above all others, that a large corporation earnestly and honestly seeKs, the friendship of those with
whom it is in daily contact This series of advertisements will seeK that end. r Tllllfl m mumiwnTiimi mwi iim h h i
NOTE. If there is any subject of common interest that you wish to bring up for discussion, Kindly address me, person
ally, and if the matter is one that we feel appeals to a large number of people, we will be pleased to g'ive your ideas pub
licity, for the g'ood of others.
F. W. HILD
GENERAL MANAGER
Portland Railway, Light and Power Company
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