Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-03-11
DAILY poS1-INTEluGfNCER.
"a TNYeRTTNATE SITUATION.


tie. awaits payment to the Oregon iu'
provement or some other company
which in accordance With the terms OF
the contract Of April, 1883, shall com
plete and put in operation the railroad
now partly constructed from TITS city
to the Green River coal fields, At an
early date. 1t does not need much ar
pument. nor an extended statement OF
fac 8 to prove that this railroad "heh
Completed will become within very
short time one Of the best paying prop
critics IN the United States. ms, WIZ
ont reference to its projected connec-
tion with theCascade DIVISION OF The
Northern Pacific Railroad, when. II
ever. snch road is built. The Green
River coal fields are known to be ex-
tensivs, and their product - OF superior
quality. 1t is alleged by those III posi-
tion TO know. that the coal in that sec
ton is Of better quality than any yet
mined in this region.
The product of the Newcastle mines
il insufficient to supply the increasing
demand for coal. Only last week the
George W. Elder was compelled to go
AWAY from the bunkers of the Oregon
Improvement Company here, there be
inc no coal for her, and obtain supply
at another port The same state OF facts
existed with the Wilmington week
previous For over two months the ship
Starbuck has been living IN the harbor
awaiting her turn To load 1t tue bnuk-
ers. Other ships have been and are
similarly detained. The supply for local
PURPOSES il from week to week exhaust
ed. II il undoubtedly true that an out
put of 1000 tons additional per month
would not be more than sufficient to
supply the demand, which Is rapidly III
creasing.
In these statements We do not in
tend to reflect upon the management
of either the Columbia and Puget
Sound Railroad or the Oregon Iln-
prOvement Company. We are person
ally aware that every effort il be-
ing made to increase the output from
the Newcastle mines, and that the Co
lumbia * Puget Sound Railroad Is ready
to haul a much larger quantity than at
present. There are also, doubtless, rea-
Sons beyond our knowledge which delay
the completion of the road to Green
River. What We desire To impress upon
those having the matter III charge. and
if possible add influence IN that dircc-
ton, is the fact that AZ business prop
osition the railroad u Green River Is
one of the very best on th:s coast or IN
this country. Not only will that road
when completed have the Transports
ton of large GOAL output, but the local
traffic in freight and passengers on its
r0Hte will be very large and constantly
increasing source of revenue. The pos
sibility, We might say probability, of its
ultimate extension over the Cascades
into Eastern Washington, adds no small
item to Its prospective value AS a pro
ductive property. IL il we'll under WHY,
nearly if not quite all graded, and has
at hand iron, ties and other material
necessary for its completion. The soon
or it is built the better. The country is
ready for it. II IL not in advance of
business needs or demands. On the
contrary, as we have shown, there is at
present necessity for its completion
which will infallibly grow daily more
imperative. With vast coal fields cl, ST.
at our doors /; with n demand far in tx
cess of present supply, and with ships
and steamers under constant and pro
lonSed delay awaiting oargoes, there IS
completion of this road. 1t is strongly
To be hoped that work may be speedily
Resumed. and that the financial compli-
cations, If such exist, which have inter
rupted prosecution and completion of
the enterprise, will soon be cleared away.
There are other facts in connection
with this road which must be oonsid-
cred. Other parties. disconnected with
the companies named. own valuable
properties on its line. We are informed
that contracts exist and have been exc
outed between these mine owners and
the management Of this road for trans
portation Of the product of their mines.
Considerable money has been expended
in the development Of these properties.
and they await extension of the rond
to instantly become large producers.
Naturally the recent suspension of
work upon the road and the uncer-
tainty of the date Of its completion are
rendering such owners FESTIVE. Ii Is
also hurtful To this city, because the
working of these properties involves
the services of many men with the
trade benefits which naturally result.
II this railroad were not 80 far under
way. another Incorporation would
speedily be formed to build a road into
that section. In short. Just now this
road unfortunately occupies a sort of
dog i'll the manager" position, huttful
to business and prejudicial TO the credit,
popularity and best interests of its
builders and owners. Such a state of
affairs evidently should not be per
United to continue. Tie best interests
alike of the owners of the road and of
the public whom il is to serve, and
from whom IT will derive large revenue.
demand that it be speedily completed
and equipped for operation.
These criticisms and suggestions have
been induced by the recent action Of
those engaged in the construction of
this railroad. The large force which.
during the past winter-throuph the
worst portion of the year-has been
employed in its construction has, with
the advent of spring and assured good
weather, been discharged. Nearly 400
Cinnamon and "a large number of white
employees have left the work Tho