Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-06-03
DAILY POST-INTEluGENCER
rHE ONLY SAFE WAY.


cate lie of railroad over the Cascade
mountains from the Upper Columbia TO
Puost Sound, which would sidetrsck the
CITY of Seattle. the Northern Pacific
Railroad Company has at last been pre-
cluded by natural aud Ins0fmountaoie
obstacles from so doing, and has been
compelled finally TO fix upon a route
which is at once sensible aud prac-
ticable. We say great stress is being
placed upon this alleged action OF that
pany, and it il assumed that It Is
sisnificant Of desire on its part to do
the corr ct thing toward this city.
There was a time when su:h state
ments and such action on the part OF
the Northern Pacific Railroad Company
would have been accepted without ques-
ton as proof of an intention to deal
fairly by this city. That time has
oasse1. The record of the company
has been 80 permested With deceit, so
two faced, ~ utterly at variance with
fair dealing, that its movements are
scrutinized more closely than hereto
fore, and the underlying motives which
impelled them are sought for, not IN
statements or in acts, bat IN the prob
able cause Of and effect of both.
There are three causes which coG-
bined to force the selection of the STAN
uede Pass--if, indeed, it has been tinal-
ly selected-by the Northern Paeliic
Railroad Company through which to
build its railroad over the mountains.
The first and most powerful is that II rs
by all odds the best route, in fact, with
the exception of Snoqualrnie, the only
route that il really practicable. The
second is that by building over the line
as now suggested the road will bisect
the heart Of the coal deposits of West
cru Washington, which the choice OF
either Natchess or Cowlitz Pass would
not accomplish. The third Is that the
farther north the line Is placed tn
more land can he claimed, that IL TO
say, il the road IN built north Of the
end lines of the land grant claimed for
building the kalnma- Tacoma road,
claim can be laid to lands on both sides
OF the new line, whereas, II built through
Natchsss Pass-which would bring the
line within the limits of the said ka-
lama Tacoma claim-claim could only
be laid TO lands on one side-the north
of the road. In short, every mile tine
line il moved northward outside of that
claim il worth half square mile Of
land for each mile Of road constructed.
These are the three main causes which
naturally combine to urge the selection
OF the Stampede Pass. Anyone of
them would he sufficient To influence
the action of management not domi
mated by little Drained town site spec
ulators.
We are assured that the selection of
the Stampede Pass will be of great ben
eft to Seattle. Under the arrangement
of year ago such would undoubtedly
have been the result. Then we were
promised connection with the Cascade
Branch. through an independent line 10
be- owned and operated by a company
whose interests conferred largely in this
county and in this city. How does the
case now stand Z The railroad TO the
Green River coal fields il unol mpieted
The Oregon improvement Companys
claim to purchase or lease coal lands,
under an agreement made with Mr.. Viii
lard, 10 repudiated its stock is depre-
ciated, and there Ia no present prospect
of the completion of that essential con
Meeting link between this city and the
Green River mines. IL III now alleged
that measures are being taken to build
twenty five miles of the railroad from
South Prairie eastward, 80 AZ TO tap
these coal lands-w which are of course to
be earned by building said road--on
the newly projected line of the much
discussed Cascade Division. In other
words, the Northern Pacific not only
proposes to at once earn these coal
mines, but TO provide facilities for work
ing them and transporting their output
TO coal bankers GU the Sound.
WhereT Has any citizen of Seattle
asked this question! Does IL need 10
be asked and answered. The Northern
Pacific Railroad Company owns coal
bankers at Tacoma. IL also owns a
controlling interest in the TacomaLand
Company, which has town lots for sale.
IL neither owns coal bunkers at Seattle,
nor speculates here in city lots. The
Oregon Improvement Company owns
coal bunkers and short railroad to
certain mines 10 has purchased. II has
no railroad to the Green River fields, no
coal mines there, and is AS is alleged
too poor to build the former, and un-
able 20 buy or lease the latter. Will
some one tell us Of what surprising
benefit, then, in view of these facts. the
selection Of the Stampede pass would be
60 King county aud Seattler
In just one way, and only one. could
Il be made benefit. Forfeit sAs laEsl
graat. Take away from this company
the power TO acquire title TO half the
coal belt between this CITY and the Cas-
cade Mountains, and put IL on a level
with other corporations and other citi-
Gems. Make IL impossible for any trans
portation company 10 monopolixe this
vast wcalth-this greatest resource of
Western washineton--and divert IL 10
whatever point the interests of its man.
agement may determine. IL needs no
argument from as 90 show this people
that this latest alleged decision of the |
Northern Pacific Railroad Company IL
the most serious menace to the future |
of this city that has ever yet been made.
IL the line be built as suggested. aud il |
lands be patented TO the company there
for, as will be claimed. Individual en-
terpsise will he impotent TO compete