Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-03
Our Railroad Prospects -.

The extraordinary activity III rail-
road building that prevailed the past
season and which promises such
magnificent results in the near flu
ture, is doubtless owing to a con-
centration of capital for the purpose
of evading competition. This in
sures immense profits, and SO long
as the dividends are satisfac tory
there is little prospect of q disagree
ment that will bring a out low rates,
matter in which the people arc
ostensibly the more interested. 1t
is probably best that the situation
should be as it is, for Il time at
least, until the great lines so long
projected are built, when Il decline
of foreign exports, which have been
excessive the past few years, will
gradually bring about close compe-
tition and result in effort to secure
the largest traffic, when it will be
almost impossible to maintain a
tariff fixed when the business far ex-
ceeded the carrying capacity Of the
roads. The partial crop failures in
Europe the past three years, have at
least this beneficial effect, and the
advanced prices OF breadstuffs has
served to compensate in some de-
gree for the high rates of transport
tation.
The Northern Pacific feels tho re-
wing influence of this activity, and
gives hope Of its entire completion
within two years. Passing through
exceedingly large tracts of fertile
land, it will be ono of the most pro-
ftable roads in the country. We
maintain that the prosperity Of this
company is the main hope of our
Territory for near and rapid devel-
opment. 1t will not only Lring o
large population, but stimulate the
building of other lines to share the
advantages possessed by such trans
continental lines as have terminus
on Puget Sou nd, UNNECESSARILY the
best shipping point on the Pacific
Coast.
Seattle is feeling the effect of this
concentration of capital in an enc
nent degree. The purchase of the
Seattle and Walla,walla Railroad O
few weeks ago, has been supple
mentsd by active operations to ex-
tend it at the earliest possible date
to the objective point in Eastern
Washington. The Oregon Improve
ment Company, corporation heavily
backed by Eastern capital, have it is
announced, appropriated IS 900, 900,
to complete the road to Walla- walla,
and extend branches to the Cedar
aud Carbon river coal mines, and to
Wilkeson. connecting with the North
ern Pacific for direct railroad COM
munication with Portland. The new
company is known as the Columbia
and Puget Sound Railroad Co. and
is Incorporated under the laws of
the Territory. The officers are: T.
F. Cakes. President; j. N. Dolph,
Vice President; Jas. Simon, Secre-
tary and r. Romano Treasurer. The
Resident Directors are B. Gatzert,
A. A. Denny and r. Romano. It
is announced that work will begin
early in the Spring.
There are likewise vague whispers
of another project, with adequate
financial backing, to build road
connecting Eastern Washington
nearer the head of the Sound.
While in this, of course, we feel a
more direct interest, still we rejoice
in the prospects of Tacoma and Sc
attic. The whole Sound will be
greatly benefited by the completion
Of either or both of these lines, and
no local jealousy should impel any
body to ignore the general prosper
ity which will result from them.
ASHORE AND AFLoAT.-The bark