Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1884-04-12
OUR CHICAGO LETTER.

four great northwestern railroads. the
Burlington the Rock Island, the Chicago,
Milwaukee. i ST. Paul, and the Northw,s-
tern are in earnest and veiy private con-
sultstlon over the problem of forming
northwestern pool. Thus tar no agree
ment has been arrived at. All realize The
Importance Of the matter and the certain
ty of a vigorous railroad war If they do
not agree, but each wants q little more
than the Others think te should have
The principal contestants seem to be the
Rock Island and the trn-an
antagonism which brings to mind the re,
cent wordy war between President Gable
OF the former and Vanderbilt who con-
trolls the latter. Beyond question the
pool will be liked up and the general
public will not have the luxury of free
rides and low freight rates.
The Prohibition conference 10 in session
at the First Methodist Church. Numer
Gus papers have been read and several
others down on the program wero con-
spicuous by their absence. One gentle
man delivered himself in forcible Ian
guage as to the damning effect of license.
that league with Satan. These good peo.
pie have some stubborn facts to fight
against in the practical failure thus far
OF prohibitory measures and the success st
the license system in many places in cur
failing the liquor traffic. am reminded
by them of the uncompromising element
In the anti.slavery movement, and while
1t 10 true that the general sentiment
among temperance people is that the cry
for absolute prohibition or nothing is not
the most effective method of dealing with
theproblem it will be remembered that AL
though slavery was wiped out by
series Of gradual approaches the ultra adj
vocstes OF the cause probably did more
than any other class 10 mako success pos
sible.
The various Irish societies celebrated ST.
Patrick's day with more than usual en-
thusiasm. Probably 1000 men in rega-
liza, were in the procession. The weather
was wet and disagreesble, the streets
muddy, but the sons of Erin were not
dismayed. Everything was orderly and
quiet. In the evening many banqucts
were held.
A statement of the winter packing Of
hogs at the several principal packing
points up to March is just out. Seven cit
les did 70 per cent. of the packing OF the
west. Chicago leads with 2,0l1 1884 hogs,
Kansas City follows with 4s7,ls2. Gin
cinnatl, formerly the leading pork pack.
ing centre, 10 NJ. 4 on the list, having
packed only a65,451 hogs. The average
weight of the hogs Slaughtered was IS
pounds less than these packed the year
ago and it 10 interesting to note that tn.
weight Of the hogs varied according to
the corn crop. In Kansas there was no
decrease in weight, while in this city the
average weight, was 81 pounds less than
last year.
6losssn, The billiArdist, has located in
Chicago and opened billiard hall.
There are challenges out between him and
Sexton and Shesfer, and . number OF
matches win, ne doubt, be played during
the spring.
The city authorities are trying TO in
crease the revenues by assessing license
Ices of all manner Of lines Of trade, A
b sck set was received this week BY de.
sisien Of the courts that the t26 license on
commission merchants is illegal, being In
the nature of tax levied on business.
The same rule will overturH the whole
scheme ! prssuns. The city hes had its
svn way because business men have pre-
ferred to pay rather than fight.
Briok-maksrs are trying to spoil their
seasons trade By putting up prices.
Their ASSOCIATION has advanced the price
OF brick BY $3.50 per thousand already
and 1t that does net seriously check build,
ing operations they will take another turn
1t il Last year the ssassn opened with
every prospect Of heavy building, The
brick makers tucked on an advances and
the br,ck-laysrs at once concluded they
wanted . share in the big money and de-
handed 80 cents per day more wages.
The result was that operations almost
csassd for two months, until both saw
their folly. After that all hands went to
work with will and Chicago exceeded
her record for any year save that follow.
ing the fire. With wise management this
year ~suli sts 81 per cent more brick