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About Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927 | View Entire Issue (April 9, 1909)
mm. VOL. XXV. GRANTS PASS. JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OREGON, FRIDAY, aPkIL 9, 1909. NO. 2 CANAL BUILDING MAKING HEADWAY COULD FUKXISH WATER FOR IK 11IGATIOX IX 10 DAYS THE GREAT ROAD KING Twcnty-Five Miles of Right of Way Cleared and Construction Is Being Pushed. Since last week there has been a large amount of construction work done at several points on the ditches. If you would like to get a satisfac tory glimpse of a line that is nearly completed from a point near the dam, around Jones creek, on across Tokay Heights and on to a point nearly to the county home take a drive out A street way and you will be astonished with what has been done on the 200-foot ditch. If it were important to have it completed ten days would suffice to put the water on all the land up to the point mentioned. A greater part of this work has been done with the grader and the heavy teams. You can find cot a few persons who have only a tazy idea as to the work which Is colng on and we opine that they will t greatly surprised when they read this article. There are 24 horses in the service at the present time tnd ten more will be added on Mon Cay morning. There are 60 men at Tork and they are doing all they possibly can every hour in Jhe day The new ditch digger the "Road King," Is doing most excellent ser rice. It is a wonderful machine and tppears to possess a really high de tree of intelligence. The "Road King" Is now working on the 200 foot contour between Jones creek and a point near the dam. Next 'Monday a strong force will be put on the gravity line In addition to the hydraulic workers under Dan Green. , . This latter force Btlll keeps up the night and day shift and is cutting it channel through the bank to a depth in places of 10 and 11 feet. The work on the Fruitdale line Is j going along fairly satisfactory, but the place where they are working Is on a steep hillside Just below the , dam. Grading machines cannot at j present be used on that ditch as the V I . I , t I . At 1 .1 mil aiong wnicn me canm line noes Is too steep for teams so it Is mostly hand work, but as soon as they get around the point teams nd graders can be put on. Twenty-five miles of right of way has been cleared and no more work will bo done In that line before the construction force catches up with the clearing gang. If you chance to find any doubting Thomases, men who think we will not have Irrlgntlon this year, take them out and show them what Sup erintendent Carner and his numer ous gangs' are doing. They will not only come back believers, but they will bo admirers of construction In use all along the line. J Our nsw goods have THIS WElK WE RECEIVED NEW CARPETS NEW ART SQUARES ISEW WALL PAPER NEW GO CARTS See these goods before purchasing We will continue ! our at 23 per cnl O'NEILL iWWmmtmummwmmmmjfr .aid second party at In addition to work already men tioned, Mr. Anient has ordered the 4,000 feet of pipe to bring the wa ter across the river from the pump to the upper end of the 350-foot level line on the Fruitdale side. PROF O'GARA'S TALK AT COMMERCIAL CLUB Large Gathering of Josephine County Fruit Growers on Thursday Afternoon. Professor O'Gara made an inter esting talk on the subject of Frost Protection to a large and deeply in terested audience at the Commercial Club on Thursday afternoon. He spoke at great length and answered many questions of the fruit growers. At the close of his speech Secretary Thomas of the Fruit Growers Ex change made a motion that a vote of thanks be tendered the professor for his learned, timely and most ex cellent address and at the same time Secretary Dlanchard, of the Commercial Club, presented the fol lowing resolution. Both the motion and the resolution were carried by a unanimous vote. Whereas, the people of Josephine county are setting out a large acre age of apples, pears, and Whereas, large numbers of peo ple from the East are settling about Grants Pass and entering the fruit business, and are undirected in com batting pests and other dangers to the fruit crop, therefore be it Resolved, that we request Prof. O'Gara to give us a day or two each week, or as much time as he can spare to assist us In reaching the results of ' which the locality, the soil and the climate are susceptible, thereby creating more Interest. In the Industry and awakening public sentiment to the great possibilities of this locality. Professor O'Gara stated that he would be pleased to be with us a considerable time in the near future and do what he could to assist our i fruit growers In successfully com j batting the pest which threatened i our fruit crop. He also thanked the meeting for their kindly Interest In the subjects he had discussed. R. L. ABELL MEETS DEATH AT MERLIN R L Abel, wa8 acrIdPntai,y km. p(, Rt Mern TuCBdaVi bnt as there were no wltnPSRPS lt , impossible to tatp Just bow the ftccdPnt occurred, Aho ft yonnf man of about 2r, employed by Mrs. Alloe Bacon driving team, and it la thought the team beenme frightened and threw him off the load of wood passed over his neck and probably killed him Instantly. The first known of the accident was when two men found the tenm tangled up with a tree and they saw at once that there had been a runaway and went to find the driver. Abell was a single man and leaves a father and several brothers. 8e Coron-Booth Ilardwnre Com pnny before you buy your lawn mow ers and garden tools. 2-26-tf commenced to arrive last vet r nock ol WeJI Paper If for a short time. CfraHousefurnisher South Hde of Railroad on O St. BRIDGE OF SIGHS IT MAY BE TO US WHO BUILDS A BRIDGE LEAVES HOPE BEHIND. NOW THREE MONTHS BEHIND Tax Payers Are Uneasy and Old Bridge Is Dangerous Xew Structure Xeeded Now. The Courier has received quite a number of inquiries from taxpayers of the county regarding the Rogue river bridge at the foot of Sixth street. As to the amount it was to cost, when lt Is to be completed and when the payments are to be made. In answer to these Inquiries we pre- fer to commence at the beginning and nrlnt the contract between the County of Josephine and the bridge builders, which is as follows: Contract. This agreement, made in dupli cate this 4th day of September, A. D., 1908, by and between P. S. East erday, C. W. Smith and A. E. Eber hart under the firm name of Colum- bla Bridge company, of Walla Walla, Washington, of the first part, and the County Court In and for Jose- phlne County, State of Oregon, of the second part. Wltnesseth, that said first party hereby agrees to furnish all materi als and labor and to construct and complete ready for travel the aub and super structures, except backing and earth fills or grading, for a steel bridge over the Rogue River at or near Grants Pass In said county and state; said bridge to be 450 feet long extreme length; to be built in 2 spans of 180 feet pin center length, span of 90 feet pin center length, Bridge to have a roadway of 20 feet between end posts, all to De constructed according to plans and specifications hereto attached, which are hereby made a part of this con- tract, and show and specify all the materials to be furnished and work to be performed under this agree ment, and for the consideration hereinafter mentioned. Note Payments to be made as fol ows: tour tnousana live nunureu .. . a, 1 J A dollars on delivery of materials for the substructure, $4500 on comple tion of substructures, $9492 on de- livery of materials for superstruC' ture. $9492 on completion of bridge The substructure shall consist of steel tubular piers and shall ue built by said first party ready for the erection of the superstructure and the Hiild first narty agrees to have the entire structure completed ready for travel on or before January 1, lau9. The second party agrees to furnish all necessary grade and line stakes for the location of the substructure, and to provide free use of sufficient ground for placing and handling ma terlal, adjacent and convenient to the bridge site. AIbo to Inspect and nns noon the material within five days after receiving notl'-o of dollv ery at R . R. station, and to Inspect and pasB upon the completed work promptly upon receiving notice from the company's foreman; and In con slderatlon of the materials to b furnished and labor performed by said first party, the said second party agrees to pay to said first party, the sum of twenty-seven thousand nine hundred and eighty four dollars ( 27984.00) In the following manner, towlt: see note above. And In order to make payments promptly when duo the second party agrees to ar- runirn accordingly when bills have been presented In advance of meet Ing. It being understood and agreed that payments so Issued are not to be made until after delivery or com pletlon with Inspection as above spe clfled. Pavments on this contract to bo made only to authorized represcnta tlves of the Columbia Drldge Com pany. The party of the second part des ignates M. A. Werti to act as In !pector and representative In charge all times 1 second party Is not In of ficial session. The party of the first part is not to be held responsible for delays in transit or from strikes or the action of the elements, nor from any cir cumstances beyond their control, and for such delays proper extension of time shall be made. And for the performance of each and every arti cle of this agreement the said parties hereby bind themselves by these presents. COLUMBIA BRIDGE COMPANY, By A. E. Eberhart, Josephine Coun ty, Oregon. By Stephen Jewell, County Judge; M. A. Wertz, Commissioner; H. S. Woodcock, Commissioner, second party. (County Seal.) Attest: S. F. Cheshire, County Clerk. On this contract there has been two payments In county warrants, one of J4500 and the other of $9412. The company has had a good deal of bad luck during the past winter in trying to build a bridge, and while they are entitled to some sympathy It Is to be hoped that the county court win protect tne tax payers from any loss that might possibly oc- cur, The Courier has felt no little alarm from almost the very first as the bridge builders failed to com mence the work before the contract specifies that lt should have been completed. There appeared to be ah utter disregard of the elements and for a time the work went on at a great loss to the builders. The high water carried out two of the piers and a considerable amount of ma- terlal to be used in the structure. Up to the present time little or no work necessary for the construction of the bridge has been accomplished. The delays have been from week to week, month to month, and are still going on. There Is an ancient adage which holds as good today among business men as it did a thousand years ago, and that is, "delays are dangerous." ( This contract, as will be seen, was entered Into September 4, 1908, seven months ago. The present structure was considered dangerous and It was the general opinion that the new bridge should be completed early this year, certainly before the heavy teaming commenced, and yet, Judging the future by the past, the probabilities are far from assuring that we will have a bridge even In a year from tho time the contract was entered Into. Again we call the attention of the court to this highly Important matter. Jury List. The following Is the list of jurors drawn for the next term of court: J. C. Dysert, Wolf Creek. Wllllard Chase, Giants Pbrb. Sam T. Call, Gailce. W. 11. Fallln, Grants Puss. J. T. Chausse, Grants Pass. S. A. Carter, Kerby. T. O. Burrows, Kerby. Charles Ilerglund, Leland. W. II. PaMlllo, Grants Puss. J. F. Calbralth, Grants Pass. O. P. Harvey, Grants Pass. Thonius Overton, Merlin. JoHlah Rhoads, Selnia. H. C. Hateham, Grants Tass. George H. Griffin, Grnnts Pass, A. Jones, Grants Pass. N. E. Osborn, Murphy, N. A. Pyle, Grants Pass. Sam Egger, Waldo. T. E. McKoln, Grants Pass. Sam Howlet, Grants Pass. J. A. Hubhnrd, Grants Pass. J. W. Lelth, Murphy. Fred Smith, Grants Pass. T. II. Elliott, Grants Tass. Ed. Frlda), Online, I, . L. Jewell, Grants Pass. Charles Hurkhalter, Grants Pass George Altpeter, Grants Pass. A. L. Fryer, Grants Tbss. R. II. O'Nell, Grants Pass. Occupy New (Junrter Wednesday, The Commercial Club will move Into their new quarters Tuesday and will have tho new homo In order without delay.' It will b made a popular rctiort and a place to enter tain strangers as well as visiting friends. The club will be conducted on modern lines and everything will bo up to date. MIhs Elnora Ripley, of Eureka, Cal., arrived hero Thursday and seeking a position as bookkeeper, having bad Bn extensive experience I Oregon, lying so closo to Callfor Iu that capacity. Inla, offers unusual opportunities for WANTS 01 TELE PHONE SYSTEM COMMITTEES FROM ALL PUBLU' BODIES APPOINTED SPENT $4000 INVESTIGATING Indianapolis Telephone Patrons Want and Demand Con solidation. (From Public Service, Chicago, April, 1909.) Business men of Indianapolis are engaged in a campaign for unifica tion of the telephone service of that city. A Joint civic committee com prising representatives of the Board of Trade, Commercial Club and Mer chants' Association has framed a communication to the city council demanding that full consideration be given to the offer of the Central Union Telephone Company for con solidation, before any action be taken toward granting the request of the Indianapolis Telephone Com pany for permission to increase its rates. The delegations which made up the civic committee were appointed by their respective bodies at the re quest of the mayor, and spent sev eral months In consideration of the telephone situation. The best dls-1 Interested expert talent obtainable was engaged and the committee ex - 1 ... . ... . .. ... . tee says In part: "We believe that the Ideal tele phone condition is that in which tho telephone service is controlled by one company, which will fully devel op the field In which It operates and furnish service at reasonable rates. I If this condition could be brought ' about here, lt should be accomplish-1 ed In such a maner as to Insure to ' the public the best possible service I at the lowest practical rates, with tho assurance of connections with I all telephone service of any or all I companies locnted outBlde of the city of Indianapolis. "We believe that It Is of vital Im portance to the city of Indianapolis that tho consolidation bo brought about at this time when the Central Union Telephone Company Is willing to accept a new franchise, regulat ing it as to rates, service, etc., rather than to Increase rates and wait, un til tho time, when In our opinion, we will have one telephone company without regulation. "We feel that If any Increnso of rates Is granted tho New Telephono company at this time, It will only be a burden that will havo to bo borne by the citizens In a largo way later on. "The city Is under no moral or legal obligation to compel tho users of tho new telephone to pay higher rates since tho rlty can now get telephone service from ono company at reasonable rateB and under prop er regulations, and the owners of the New Telephono Company can now secure for their property all It Is worth." TO BEAUTIFY THE RAILROAD GROUNDS Ono of tho features that make the beauty of California linger long In tho memory of every traveler, no matter how transient, Is her artistic railroad parks. The merest hamlet will, In most cases, present to the waylaid traveler a refreshing patch of green lawn bordered with palms and bright rose blossoms. A half hour spent In waiting for trains In stead of being a boresorno hardship becomes a real rest, leaving In the mind a feeling of gratltudo and of respect for such citizens as havo cared enough for thMr homo town to want to make It a pleasure to 1 strangers as well as themselves. It Is ! shows not only a s'lf -respect Ing corn- I munlty, It shows a progressive ono. comparisons and the average travel er is quick to note them. The' more need that those comparisons be not unfavorable to our own state. We are close enough to the border line of the two states for the favorable Impressions concerning California to be still fresh In the mind of the north bound traveler and conse quently comparisons will appeal to him the more forcibly. That the citizens of Grants Fnss realize this, and that they are both self respecting and progressive Is evident from the way they are wak ing up to the importance and need of such railroad parks in our town. We have long been ashamed of the surroundings of our depot, but this season la to Bee the last of that. Lying on each side of Sixth street on each side of the track is the ground which has already been plow ed and leveled for the making of a park as beautiful as any of Cali fornia's. Trees of ninny varieties are being planted this wee. Maples, elms, umbrella, the new Burbnnk walnuts will, In a short time, give the much needed shade about the de pot. Flower beds, walks, artificial lily ponds are all Included In the plans for making this place a land scape garden of real beauty. Not many Oregon towns have as yet taken these steps, though sever al are planning them, and Eugene has already made herHelf conspicu ous by her elaborate and artistic ef forts. There Is little doubt what the ef fect such will have on the future of Grants Pass. The first Impression of Btrangers as they seo such evl encea of beauty and thrift about the depot will be strong In our favor, putting them Immediately In the Ideal attitude for the further success-,, ful efforts of our real estate experts. - . . . .' s,lch Pk K,ve8 tn boosters In their advertising another convincing argument for the surpassing attrac tiveness of Grants Pass; lt once and for all does away with unfavorable comparison with our neighbors; It proves beyond a doubt that Grants Pass clttzens are twentieth century models or push and enterprise, as well as enthusiastic lovers of the beautiful and that to live In Grants Pass Is to ally oneself with the spirit of progress. Though It Is the Ladles' Auxiliary that are carrying out these plans they are acting for the citizens. It Is the citizens' enterprise, and it Is they who will enjoy tho fruits there of and who must take the greatest prldo In lt. It Is the sincere wish of the Auxiliary that tho citizens will feel this and will show It by timely suggestions and Interest. Unless something unforeseen oc curs, these plans for tho park will be carried out this season and we shall then havo depot grounds to be proud of. NEW TELEPHONE SOON TO OPERATE Tho Citizens' Telephone company expects to havo Its telephono system In operation in Modford within 90 days from this dato. Tho needed material has all been ordered from the east and will bo gotten hero Just as quickly as trains can bring It. Seven hundred cednr poles for Med ford alono have been ordered from Idnho. Theso are to bo tho test post i procurable on tho Pacific toant. Tho poles set on Main streot will be 45 feet high and but ono tro.wirm will be on a pole, and (his at the extreme top. The poles will bo Riven Inches across at tho top, will be peeled and painted whlto, and say, gee, won't that look good. Somo "class" about telephono poles of that class. The company has not as yet selected a site for their cen tral station. Two sites are under consideration, and the one which will appear to be the nearest tho cen ter of their business will bo the ono decided upon. Mall. Iwlitiuatorjr Contest. Tho first content In the series of declamatory contests Is to bo held tonight In tho High School room In tho Primary Division, Gram mar grades and tho llls,h School. A medal will be awarded In each divi sion. On Tuesday of next cek a similar contest will be held at tho samo pla" In lit'-'---- ''"- tnedli t A on 1 1: