The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-10-31
rnE ruoKr Sound TRADE.

Ali gho hare followed The course oil
local esents closely since the fire must now
be conscious Of very eyidentfact, namely,
that the business men ol Tacoma are max
ing 4 systematic ard energetic effort to d.
vert the general trade of the Puget sound
basin from this city. II is not 70 eriticise
those who are making this effort, which -
entirely Legitimate, that Sc cgil attention
b. the fact, bat 10 warn oar own people OF
3 business danger. and 70 urge them 10
nlEet T.
Ever since tie settlement of the country
Seattle has been the trade center of the
Sound. The sound trade vas the begin
ming and has been the sustaining spirit II
her business life. Bat Seattle has no title
deed ~ this trade. She must retain il nos
By soy right. bat by attention 10 the
principles oi business. Ia the past the
trade has come here because this has
been the largest and best market available.
and becatse II has been more convenient
to come here than so elsewhere. and this
il The only sure basis OF business success.
To hold the trade we must see that In
relative sense the old conditions are main
tanned.
About u hundred small steam boats plying
the waters OF the Sound connect Seattle
with the surrounding country Untii very
recently there was no other local naviga-
lion system bat the business men OF
Tacoma hare organized = company with
laFFs capital and are rapidly building a
L. Ia Al.
There is at the present time
no comparison either Ia the mum
= Der OF boats or in aggregate tonnage
between the Taeoma and the Seattle fleets
bat the Tacoma boats while few. are newer,
more connexions ard speedier than ours.
and on the iew routes where they operate
pat US At disadvantage. Oar own mer.
chants. indeed, often find IL necessary to
patrouizo the boats whose special mission
is The destruction OF our trade.
To meet this new and rising competition
Is a necessity which nos eonfrunts US. We
must replace the old neet with bigger and
faster boats. or 1t least provide such boats
for the more important routes Either
those who are now in the business
must be assisted or large
company aiust be organized 20 do the busi-
ness independently OF them. The first plan
Is in our Judgment much TO be preferred.
since the latter xogld work hardship upon
body Of enterpFising men who have done
much and. who are ssiiii doisg much Cor the
city.
Nov While the opposition Is In its infancy,
and while the earrents Of trade are stan
strong wish Seattle. Is the tirae 10 take
bald Of the matter Il vii be much
easier and cheaper 10 bold the trade already
hablted to Seattle than 70 regain il
after the Tacoma people bare
turned the 9Ade IA new channel.
licsldea the advantage Of connections
long established and made solid
hy the elose relationships Of acquaintance
credit AID mutual confidence. we have a
great advantage In position. Seattle Is the
natural center~she place nearest and
easiest - soecss. From two-thlrds of che
tosns ana settlements oR Puget SOUND !
trip 81 Tacoma sad return involves ststy
miles more travel than a trip II ssattls
aHd return. Steamboats, operating ia the
Largest ard bess pst q tie Sound mus,
pas the docks 81 Seatlis la ORDER 70 80 ga
ami come from Tacoma With these sew.
eFal advantages sc cau make seattle IA
vlaoo'e tu sac fntafe a. she has alWavs
been, lat Is wlJ nos DO 81 leave tae asat-
ter e. take ssre nj itssif