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About Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927 | View Entire Issue (March 15, 1912)
VOL. xxvu. GRANTS TASS, JOSEPHINE COUMT, OREGON. FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 191S NO. 4S OUTLOOK BRIGHT FOR RAILROAD PROMINENT SOUTHERN PACIFIC OFFICIALS VISIT SECTION. COMPLETE DATA SECURED Awaiting Favorable Report to Hoard of Directors at New York. From Thursday's Dally. As a result of the visit to Grants Paas of D. W. Campbell and Robert E. Strahorn, officials of the Southern Pacific In Oregon, the question of a future railroad from Grants Pass ln-t to the Illinois valley has taken on an encouraging outlook. These officials were here, as stated several days ago, at the Invitation of a committee appointed by the trus tees of the Commercial club, which had gathered data as to the resources of the Illinois valley, especially as to the agricultural, mining and timber resources. The road also was In pos session of much information, secured by their own engineers during the past two or three years. So with the combined data, the Harr'man offi cials were well equipped with infor mation when they made the journey Tuesday into the Illinois region. Judge R. S. Lovett of New York, j president of the Harrlman lines in i the United States and Mexico, made a brief stop n Grants Pass last fall, " av i accompanied ny otner executives m the system. Including William Sproule, president of the Southern Pacific proper, and while here the question of a branch line into the "'Illinois valley was broached person ally by The Courier to Judge Lovett. That official, after briefly discussing f the matter, suggested that data as to the tonnage that would originate and resources generally be furnished to President Sproule. This was done, and as a result Sproule, at the re quest of the Commercial club com mitteemen, delegated Messrs. Stra horn and Campbell to come here and make a tour of the Illinois region and confer with representatives of Grants Tass. The need of a railroad from Grants Pass to the south end of Josephine county is so great, and It is so uni versally recognized that the building of such a line wuold mean prosperity Indeed, both to the city and the coun ty, that It behooves all the people to lend all encouragement possible to a proposition to build siyh a line, if that proposition should come from such strong financial interests us the Harrlman people. It Is said that the two officials who have Just made the trip into the Illinois region appeared to be both Interested and surprised iha i.naciliilittoa nf tha vallev. and HI they no doubt will ms lake a favorable report to Judge Lovett and the board of directors at the New York office. From Wednesday's Daily. j The party of business men of Grants Pass who escorted Robert E. Strahorn, superintendent of the Southern Pacific lines in Washington, and D. H. Campbell, superintendent of the Southern Pacific lines in Ore gon, left here yesterday morning at 9:30. In the party were H. C. Kin ney, G. W. Donnell, George C. Sabln, president of the Commercial club; H. L. Andrews, O. S. Blanchard, L. L. Herrlck, president of the Grants Pass Banking and Trust company; C. D. Welter, the lumber operator; and J. R. Harvey. Leaving Grants Pass the party pushed on to the Illinois valley, and last evening reached Holland, where they spent the night. After break fast this morning, they started back to Grants Pass, where they arrived at 2:30 this afternoon. This was a trip to determine cer tain matters relating to railroad con struction to that country. At the hour of going to press, the party was discussing matters at the New Jose phine hotel and It is expected that this meeting will result In a better understanding than heretofore baa existed in regard to the railroad situ ation. Grants Pass is in earnest and it la believed the rallread people are at least susceptible to a practical pro position. Our railroad friends ex pressed themselves as greatly pleased with the country and were astonished at the agricultural possibilities and resources generally. They were well posted as to the mining situation and the lumber products of the regions visited. CITY COUNCIL TAKES UP MUCH BUSINESS The city council met last night, principally to hear a talk by a Southern Pacific representative re garding the railroad's controversy with the municipality over the freight depot and street crossing matters. The southern Pacific man did not appear, however, Mayor Smith stating to the councilmen that he had received a telegram from the railroad man stating that a lawsuit elsewhere had prevented his coming to Grants Pass. The council then took up other business, the first being the pro posed footbridge attached to the out side of the county's steel bridge across Rogue River at the foot of South Sixth street. ' The committee In charge of the question reported that a conference with the county court resulted in an agreement whereby the county will pay half the cost and the city pay half, the cost to be $600. The council accepted this report and a footbridge will be built. Just when bld3 will be asked and the work begun was not discussed. City's Rock Crusher. The rock crusher belonging to the hot rt a orMto olonhnnt . nrounnt A Pnm ITl ! 1 1 Oft Wnioh tlflS ,, selling the plant, made a report recommending that Schell and Schell be allowed to purchase it at $3,000, payments to be made in instalments. Mr. Schell was present at the meet ing and stated that his firm did not have rock material for one crusner, his own, nevertheless two. The sit uation regarding the plant Is that Schell and Schell had a contract to purchase at their option at the rate of $7.50 a day actual time used. But Schell stated last night that he did not find sufficient proper rock material at the quarry they opened, and had gone to consider able expense in opening this quary and building a road; that the rock was good for base material but not for surfacing roads. Councilman Clark, who had been nonied a committee of one to look up some ornamental brick for sale in Medford with a view of purchas ing it at a cheap price, to be used in construction here for the new city hall, reported that he found only a few brick, and the owner wanting $80 a thousand for what little he did have. Propose Tax on Poles. An ordinance was read 'for the first time proposing a license tax on .... . - ! Thn ; l""eH . "s u... - ordinance was also read tne second time by title. The ordinance urged by the auto men of the city creating a license on garages and autos for hire came up for final passage and was defeated. the vote standing 4 to 4, not suffi cient yeas to pass it. Councilman McLean defended the proposed ordi nance, stating that It was intended as a protection for the regular deal ers owning autos coming here when business was good and cutting Into the trade of the men who conduct ed regular business, paid rents and taxes. There Is an old ordinance on the books making the license $2V on public autos. This. It seems, has not been enforced, and one or two men only had paid the tax, one pay ing $50. It was finally decided to cut this $25 license of the existing ordinance to $10 an auto. The city i attorney will draw an amended or dinance to this effect. The proposed ordinance for fire escapes on all buildings of two stor ies or over came up for final pas sage. A committee reported that It be amended o as to eliminate two story buildings, or that the ordinance not pass. Strieker stated that there was no GRANTS PASS WILL GET REDUCED FREIGHT RATES BEGINNING TODAY Many Thousands of Dollars Will Be Saved An nually to the People of Grants Pass and Josephine County. H REDUCTION AS APPLIED TO GRANTS PASS. First class Second class Class C Beginning March 15 the people of Grants Pass will cease paying to the Southern Pacific the present high freight rates for shipments from Portland. The Oregon railroad commission In January of this year ordered a re ductlon, but through a technicality i the Southern Pacific has held up the ; reduction from Portland to Grants Pass. That program will end next J Friday. Other localities have had the benefit of the new rate since ; March 1, when the commission's der went Into effect. The reduction Is a substantial one, and will mean many thousands of dollars annually to the people of Grants Pass and Josephine county, and tributary reg - Ions which draw supplies from this I city. i change. At the time the order was made by j Class E, based on a carload of 30, the commission, January 21, The 000 pounds, will hereafter be $9 a i Courier cave riptnilu nf rh npw rate, luuiuaieu uirougu uie courtesy oi Agent J. M. Isham, and this morning gives the figures again, as the sub - ject is of vital Importance. Most of the Grants Pass business comes under the first four classes, the fourth class, with the new rate of 55 cents from Portland leading. A year ago Grants Pass was paying 80 cents a hundred from Portland on fourth class stuff, but an order by the state railroad commission reduced k to 64 cents, a reduction of 16 cents a hundred. Now the commission makes a still further reduction on the fourth class rate, to 55 cents, a total reduction of 25 cents from the original traiff, or about 31 per cent. First class covers all clothing, dry goods, carload dynamite and house hold effects less than carload. Second class cover all hardware shipments. Third and fourth classes take in most lines of groceries. Fifth class Is a carload proposition entirely, and includes sugar and can ned goods. Class A takes in all vehicle and farm machinery, and Is reduced from special demand for fire escapes on two-story buildings. Considerable discussion followed, the opera house figuring in the talk. Finally Everton moved to lay both the committee re- port and the proposed ordlance on tne tame, and tnat city Attorney Colvig be Instructed to draw another ordinance, making clear provision for iron stairways, with iron sup ports. The motion was adopted. Street Sprinkling. Mayor Smith brought up the ques tion of street sprinkling and said that he believed the council could save money by letting out such work by contract. This method will be Adopted. Councilman McLean suggested that If the city was to take care of Railroad park that it was high time something was done, that the grass there would soon have to be cut with a scythe. A proposition has come from a vender who wants to put up a tamale stand at the corner of the park that If allowed to erect his stand he would rare for the park. "Would he sell any suspicious look ing beverages?" asked a council man. "Probably not replied Mayor Smith, "as there are no Anheuser bushes growing around there." It was finally decided that the ta (Cintlnud on Page Cght.) Present New lUte lUte $1.07 $ .91 .03 .77 .75 .01 .04 .55 .54 .46 .54 .40 .43 -30 .31 .27 .23 .S3 , .21 .18 54 cents to 46 cents a hundred, a reduction of about $34 a car, based on a car of 30,000 pounds. Homeseekers or emigrant goods coming Into Grants Pass take the class B rate, reduced from 43 cents to 36 cents a hundred, a saving of $14 a car of 20,000 pounds mtnl- mum. Rarely does the weight of an emigrant cargo exceed even the mln inniin allowed. Class C covers cement and the special rate now charged by the corn- or-jpany Is the Bame as the new rate on 'class C. The only change that will be made by the company is that the present "Bpeclal rate" will be chang- ed over the "class rate." On class D (Iron) there Is no car less than the nresent rate. Class , , - r- is sewtT inpe uuu biuuiui biuu I The rate under the old tariff was 'bused on each additional five miles. while the commission, In the pres ent ruling, bases the tariff for each succeeding five miles from a distance of 120 miles up to and including 29o miles, and that the rate between 290 miles and 300 miles will Increase one cent for each ten miles, which latter basis takes in Grants Pass from Port land. The new order will not affect the rate from San Francisco, as that comes under Interstate shipments. However, shipments from the east to Grants Pass will be less, as in many cases rates from the east to Grants Pass are made up by the terminal rate to Portland, plus the local rate to Grants Pass. One hardware merchant yesterday when Informed that the rate would go Into effect Friday next, Immedi ately wrote a letter to Portland In structing that a shipment of powder be held up until the new rate came In. And no doubt other merchants will follow suit, ns it means a sav ing of generous suniB of money. CHICAGO STOCKHOLDERS ARE TAKING NOTICE As a result of the appointment of , & recelvr uy Judge F. M. Calkins for the Chicago-Rogue River company, the Chicago end of the concern has seen a sudden flash of light and is Tha fnllriwlnir circular j tivvviiift . .. n to stockholders has been Issued troin Chicago: Chicago, March 7, 1912. Stockholders of the Chicago-Rogue River Co.: You are hereby notified that a Joint meeting of the stockholders and directors of the Chicago-Rogue River Co. will be held on Wednesday, the thirteenth day of March, A. I)., 1912, at the hour of 7 o'clock p. m., at Wllken's Mall, old No. 49, new No. 169 North La Salle street, In the City of Chicago. Certain merchants and other cred itors of the company have filed pro ceedings against the company In Ore gon, and have caused a re-elver to be appointed. These bills aggregate some $20,000 and must be paid or the nronertv of the rompnny will be . .. . ,. It Is necessary that Immediate action be taken by the stockholders and the directors of the company to raise thti money. In order that the stockhold FIRE DESTROYS COLD STORAGE AND ICE PLANT Fire at midnight Wednesday destroyed the Ice factory and cold storage plant In this city, the prop erty of P. T. Blrcnard. The plant was located beside the Southern Pacific tracks between Seventh and Sixth streets. In a statement to The Courier Mr. Blrcnard said he estimated bis loss at $10,000, and that he carried Insur ance on this of $6,000. He also stat ed that he would rebuild the plant, making as rapid progress In con struction as possible, so that he can care for the clt)'l demands for Ice during the summer season. The Riant had been started to work for the season three days ago, and how the blaze originated la not known to any one connected with the plant. There was no watchman em ployed, and Mr. Blrchard stated that when the works were shut down Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock, after the day's run, that the area around the boiler was wet down and all pre cautions as are usually employed were taken. The fire seemed to have originated in or near the boiler room Firemen Cass and Crolsant, In charge of the auto engine, say that when the alarm was turned In and they hastened to the scene that the building was then enveloped in flames, and it was difficult to determ ine In Just what part of the struc ture the blaze originated. Eight oth er firemen out of the volunteer force of IS were on band. -The fire alarm bell at the station Is none too strong, and failed to arouse others w ho other wise would have been at the scene. The center portion of the big build ing remains intact, though charred deeply on the outer walls. This con tains the cold storage rooms and may be saved In rebuilding. The big frame warehouse belong ing to Kinney and Truax stands only a few feet west of the ruined lee plant, nnd had a closo call from de duction.- Plenty of water and watch fulness of the fire fighters saved the warehouse. A Southern Pacific locomotive was rushed to the burning plant and pulled from the lire zone all box cars. Ice supplies will probably bo ship ped from Medford until the home plant Is restored. The plant was built in 1895 by E L, Cass, remembered as a wealthy promoter of several enterprises. The plant later enme Into possession of James Tuffs, who sold It two years ago to the present owner, P. T. Blr chard. RAM'S PASS DEIJATEKS lOSE TO KLAMATH FALLS. A telephone message received from Superintendent R. R. Turner late Friday evening, bore the dlsap pointing tidings that the Grants Pass team had been defeated In the debate at Klamath Falls. Under the circumstances, It could hardly have been expected that the Giants Pass team could win, as Miss Helen Love was prevented from tak ing her place on the team on account of Illness. This mado it Imperative for one of the boys to do double work, and that too, on short notice as Miss Love expected up to the last day to be able to go to Klamath Falls. and that too, on short notice, as Miss Love expected up to the last day to I.e ablo to go to Klamath Falls. The two young men, Erie Best and Nell Allen, are to bo congratulated on their courage In muklng the at tempt, and they did splendid work ers and all persons Interested In the affairs of the company must thor oughly understand what the asset nnd liabilities and the conditions of the company are. It has been consld ercd advisable that a Joint tneetln lie held of the stockholders and tn directors of the company. We trust that you will attend thl meeting and offer such suggestions that you may have bearing upon the affairs of this company. Yours very truly, A. J. WITHRRRLL, Pres. Chicago-Rogue River Co Attest: R. M. ATKINS. Secretary. MANY FINE BIRDS EXHIBITION POILTHY SHOW IX GRANTS PASS SI 'UPRISES ALL. NEARLY HUNDRED ENTRIES High Class Fouls of All Leading Varieties in Competition for Prises. From Thursday's Dally. With a glorious sun ashlnlng and the hens acackllng and the rooster acrowlng and the crowds achatterlng the first annual poultry show of Grants Pass opened today for a suc cessful three days' exhibition. Many birds of fine feather, from the tiny bantams to the big Langshans, are on display, and the results lave sur prised officials of the poultry asso- latlon, and the public as well. The how will be open each evening until and Including Saturday night, and the people of the entire city, county nd valley are Invited. There are lively and close contests for prizes, nd enthusiasm Is Intense. The exhibits are so many that the rlvate oftlce rooms In the Albert ulldlng, whero the show Is being eld, have been brought Into requisi tion. While the promoters of the show oped that at least 40 pens would be exhibited, the result Is that near 00 pens are on exhibition. Prizes had not been awarded as the Weekly Courier went to press. The full list will be printed In the next Issue. roni Wednedny's Dally. Many bugs of grain have been do nated by business men and others nttl the total has reached several tons. The exhibition will be an educa tional one to all persons seeking to get Information on the poultry Indus try; also to those who wish to turn fancier and raise only a few birds for pleasure. . Partial List of ICutries. Following Is a partial list of en tries E. A. Logergren, pen White Rocks. W. L. Upson, trio Barred Rocks. Jesse MaBh, Barred Rocks. W. II. McArthur, pen of five White Rock pullets. O. F. Calllson, trio of Buff Leg horns. Kd. C. Burt, trio of Buff Orping tons. Guysbert Harvey, trio of Crystal Orpingtons. C. II. Lester, red breasted black game. W. L. Tolln, Barred Rocks. Will 9covllle, pen White Wyan- dottes. Henry Huck, five Barred Rocks., W. Allen, Jr., four Barred Rocks. Granite Hill mine, two pens of ducks, one pen of chickens. Ira Mundlnger, trio of Buff Orping tons. T, P. Cramer, four birds. G. M. Flint, three birds. William Stock, three birds. Herman Horning, five Langshans. Amos Myers, four single comb Rhode Island Reds. C. R. Brechtblll, single comb Rhode Island Reds. Robert Jewell, Rhode Island Reds. Mrs. Kemp, trio Barred Rocks. W. T. Goodman, five White Orping tons and five Rhode Island Reds. J. J. Roemer, pen of White Orping tons and other birds. J. A. Trentlss, four Black Lang shans, R. M. Davis, trio of White Wyan- dottes. A. T. I,ewls, trio of Blue Andulus lans. A. A. Ingels, one pen of birds. John Summers, two trios of Barred Rocks. Dan McCord, three pens. George H. Smith, three IJymouth Rocks and three Black Mlnorcas. N. T. Best, pen Rhode Island Reds, pen of White Orpingtons. "r .