Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-10-15


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yUsTYCe ow RErm1sAE~
Portland Il the main western sermi'
nus Of the Northern Pacific raijread.
Although the constructed lins Of that
company terminates ovsr 200 miles TO
the eastward Of Portland. the trains Of
the Northern Pacific are run through 20
that city under 9 contract Arraneemsnt
with ths o. X. a N. Company. which
owns line of railroad between Fort
land and walluIa. Portland has been,
for thirty years, the largest business
cestsr, the main commercial eHfrspof,
the receiver and distributor Of goods 10
tho great northwest. Her business msn
are wealthy, ana pr consequence pow
srfui. Her position a. dominator Of the
vast volume Of trade flowing in and out
of an Immense receptive and tributary
region, rsndsrs the concerted action II
her leading business men formidable
power, potent factor in the regulation
Of transportation rates, and ths prices
Of domestic md imported commodities.
When the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company obtained direct access 70
Portland by completion Of its railroad
70 wallula junction, the merchants OF
that city who had always been warm
friends Of the company, had reason 70
expect reciprocal frisndship and favors.
Portland, by investmsrt In Oregon and
Transcontinental stook, had made u
possible for Willard 10 form the much
desired connection with the great East.
The merchants Of that city had conh-
dence Ia his pledges Of fair treatment.
and we're conversant with his plans for
Improvement Of their commercial fact
litiss and for affording them chance
10 compete with rivals east Of the Mis-
sissippi for interior trade. On compile
ton Of rail connection by Willard. Port
land was made . ssmmon point. and
under arrangement with other transeon-
sinental lines, rates from the East 10
Portland were placed at the same
figures az given by the other limos on
like shipments over their roads 10 San
Francisco. A line VI interior demarka-
ton was also established between eass-
ern and western trade; that Ii 10 say,
freight tariffs on the N. p. we're 30 ar
ranged that beyond certain point
Eastern shippers could not compete
with those from the West, and Woe
versa, the promise aud intention being
10 secure TO Portland the trade Of q re-
eion west Of certain line, leaving the
country east of that line 10 be supplied
by Eastern cities. Under these prom
Uses. In December last, contracts were
made extensively by the Northern Pa
clio with Portland merchants. Soon
Aftsrward the management Of the North
ern Pacific was changed, Willard and
his friends giving place 10 the present
crowd. From time 10 time there have
been complaints that the company was
not keeping It's contracts that IL changed
its tariffs, made special rates. eto., In
favor of interior towns, TO the disad-
vantage of Portland trade, and 10 viola
ton Of its agreements. Capital Is CON-
sentative, business men are greatly At
the mercy Of transportation iIses. Es-
pec.aisyis this so when single COM
pany holds the whip hand, when no op-
pertunity Of choice Of routes Ia pre-
scented. except under added charges.
added time and other disadvantages.
This was, until recently, the situation
In Portland. Now with another ail-raii
connection with the East immediately
impending, the merchants Of that city
speak their mind, aud avow themselves
ready 10 enforce rsprisai for the viola
ton Of good faith by the Northern Pa
cific. They declare their intention 10
pstroniEe the Union Pacific. via Tho
Short Line from Huntington, and 90
"throw or on company which has
not kept good faith. They feel that
with the completion Of this new line
they are rendered absolutely independ-
emit Of q company which has not scrupled
nor hesitated 20 violate its solemn
pledges. wehope and believe they will
carry oct their program, and trsnsfer
their patronage. There 10 no other way
10 bring that UNANIMOUSLY mismanaced |
company TO terms. II Portland will
but assert its rights. not ak months
will elapse before the whole directorate
of the Northern Pacific will be crawling
on their bellies supplicatine patronage.
That company has not any business
10 spare. II cannot AFFORD 10 lose any
that u has thus far had. IL must ret |
control Of mere. The situation il be-
coming serious. The financial condi.
ton and prospects OF the Northern Pa
csfic are subjects Of grave comment 10 |
leading railroad and financial circles
and ionrnaiA ID Is more than doubt
!. full IL ID earned dollar over lie flxea
charges last year. Il 10 certain sha, il |
a nos doine 30 nos. and cannot during
the next four months. IL 10 saddled |
with an immenae funded and feating
debt, and $40 10000 Of wasered stock. |
Unless its business increases II viii not |
long pay interest upon iss bonds. In
brief, IL Is rotten institution. and in
dications strongly point 10 bankruptcy.
Within 9 year the Canadian Pacific
Railroad will be completed through TO
It's western terminus. With that CON-
pany the Northern Pacific will be un-
able 10 make 9 pooling contract. II
win be competing road, powerful, |
backed by huge Subsidy, and special |
~ favored by sha Deminion Govern
ment Its completion will reduce the |
through freiRhtaes Of the Northern Pa. |
citie 10 the extent Of $4,000 par an. |
mum In British Columbia alone. To
the south the new line fron Omaha. via
Granger and Huntington 10 Portland,