Time PoMaiinidl Mflw&y, LngM aunudl
Pwp Compaimy Misses ttMttltts
v
... . .f " ,
stood-and itts loyally lo Poirllaed-nnnoire
keenly appreciated iff tEbe people off linns city
were aware ofi what It has done and is about to do
to make Portland bigger and busier than ever before
4
This company has caused to be collected a careful comparison of the statistics which interest the
ceneral Dublic in all of the larger cities nf Ti llnitA 9t.2 f. .. l. : r . -i
w . - s - w v 1CU aB me vpciBuuu ui sircci railway,
V liffht and Dower comoaniea is concern!. TKimnk k mlnmni f r r i '.
ing subjects will be treated daily. Remember, we haveour faults, and we know it. You will agree with us, however, on one general proposi
tion of interest to us all that the man or company that can keep constantly up to date in the matter of service in a community that is growing
as fast as our magnificent Northwest has a contract upon hand that will test the nerve and brain power of the finest business heads of the na
tion. 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 criticisms of our service, in whatever
department, and through the daily papers we will be glad to take
them up one by one for the general 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 extension of
our various lines. We really want you to know that these exten
sions have been built long before they had the slightest prospect of
returning a cent of profit We ask you to judge for yourselves if
the improvement work done by this company 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
taxpayer 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 figures 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 popu
lation 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 possibly cannot under
stand this, and we wish to make it clear to you.
SEVENTH You would not believe, perhaps, that in five years'
the expenditure! of this company will have exceeded FORTY MIL
LION DOLLARS for aUpurposes,whi!eiU 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 pos
sible 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 fur
nishes the bone and sinew that makes Portland healthy.
i
NINTH Ponder for a moment what would happen for a short
while if thU company were
ment's notice.
FINALLY These and kindred subjects will be discussed with'
you. We believe that publicity of this character will arouse a spirit
of cooperation 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.
NOTE If there is any subject of common, interest that you'
wish to bring up for discussion, kindly address me personally, and if
the matter is one that we feel appeals to a large number of people,
we will be pleased to give your ideas publicity for the good of others.
PORHJUIID RAILWAY
W. HUM), ;
General Manager
, LIGHT & POWER '.COHPANK'