The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-01-28
CANADIAN DISCRIMINATION.
Senator Frye on an international
Question.
When Western congressmen Realize
How New EngIanders Feel
Usefulness of the Grand Trunk and
other Canadian Lines.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-An Associated
Press despatch from Canada, which states
that the Canadian government Is dlscrimi-
mating against the Northern Pacific railroad,
and that IL has refused to allow American
cars to enter Canadian territory over rails
laid down TO connect with the Northern Pa
cifc rails, attracted much attention at the
Capitol. This is especially true as to the
members OF the commerce committees and
of the Interstate Committee and Of the rep
resentatives from the districts along the
Northwestern border. The recent bonding
Of the Canadian Pacific road by the United
States governments subject which Is under
consideration in two Of the committees OF
the Senate, and this despatch from Ottawa,
If it shall be authenticated, will doubtless
tend to increase the interest in the question.
Senator Frye. chairman of the committee
on commerce, was not surprised that the De
minion government had issued such an or
der, and was glad to know that the order
was affecting. people In the Northwestern
States, for the reason that the representa-
tives from that section, in consequence,
would be more apt to understand the feel
ings of the representatives Of New England
in the fishery matters He thought the con-
gressmen in the Northwest would be indig-
nant at this proceeding, and that some for
NAL demonstration might be expected on ac-
count of IL. He did not think that the ad-
ministrati0n would concern itself in the mat
ter, for 1t did not seem to be M accordance
with the administration policy to place any
restrictions upon the Canadian road. On
the contrary, the bonding of the Canadian
Pacific road by the Treasury Department
at.I f..ka kaN
the United States transc0ntinental roads.
Senator Frye was asked what remedy
could be applied, suppOsing any one desired
to apply one to counteract either the bond
ing of the Canadian Pacific or the recent or
der of the Dominion government relative to
the entrance Of the Northern Pacific cars IN
to Manitoba. He answered that he did not
know, and that he was not certain that any
remedy could be found. He had written to
several railroad officials, who had manifest
ed great interest In the matter, TO ascertain
whether they had any definite views to sug-
gest as to remedy, and he had, as yet, re-
ceived no reply which contained any practi-
cal suggestion. The fact Is, that whatever
opposition there may be in railroad and po-
litical circles to the bonding of the Canadian
Pacific, or to the competition of the Grand
Trunk or other Canadian routes with Ameri-
can lines, there Is very strong opposition
to any measures which would prevent the
competition Of the Canadian roads by
The Canadian roads, as one mem
Der Of the Interstate Commerce Committee
| said, are very useful in regulating the
| through freights from the West to the sea-
board. Much as the transcontnental lines
may be opposed to the rates which the Cana
dian Pacific, the Grand Trunk and other
| Canadian roads establish for through
| freights, the United States roads are COM
| PEELED to conform to those rates so far as
| possible or lose their freight, and the result
| Is that the competition Of these Canadian
roads establishes cheaper rates from the
West to the seaboard, as we'll as for the
Eastern manufactures to the West, and that
interest Is quite as large and is willing TO
receive as much consideration at the hands
of Congress as the interests Of the American
competing roads. All through New England
there Is no doubt that the competition Of the
Canadian roads very materially reduces the
through rates. and in addition there Is
very large business interest In Portland and
in other ports Of Maine built up almost en-
tirely on the through trade Of Canada.