The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-06
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4 CLEAE ADVANTAGE.

Reports of railroad combina tons and
cancellations have become so common,
and have been so often without other
foundation than in the fertile brains of
newspaper reporters, that the public has
come TO regard all such with more -or less
incredibly. But it seems safe TO accept i.
as fact that Mr.. G. p. Huntington has
successfully unanswered traffic com bina-
tion between the Southern Pacific. the
Union Pacific, the Atchisoa Il Santa Fe
and the Missouri Pacific, by which ali OF
those systems lying south OF what is
recognized as Northern Pacific territory"
will be practically under one management,
as to that business.
1t is taken for granted that Huntington's
deep interest in this scheme, and the con-
cessions he has made 10 the other COM
panies in order 10 bring it about. hare been
prompted by the apparent intention OF one
or more OF these lines to establish Caliior-
MIA connections that would become COM
peti.ors Of the Southern Pacific for the
business Of which it has SO long held
monopoly.
And it may be taken for granted that
this arrangement will effectuglly for
many years deprive California of
railroad competition for the COM
merce which enters and departs from
the port OF San Francisco. and for the
transportation of interior passengers and
products from the country north of Te-
bachepai to the eastward. Ali of central
and northern California will for many
years remain as heretofore dependency
OF the Southern Pacific monopoly.
This must operate as distinct dis
advantage to San Francisco in her
efforts 10 retain her supremacy over
| this city. which already las been recog-
nized By the leading journals and trade
! organizations Of that city as imperilIed.
| With Seaitie's superiority over San Fran
! cisco IN respect TO extent and quality of
| hazborage. IN shorter lines to the Orient
and TO Hawaii and Australia. and her very
! great advantage OF convenient and mex
hauslibie coal supply, supplemented By a
certainty of at least four competing lines
of overland railroad, the odds in Seattle's
favor are enormous and insurmountable.
So forcibiy has this view OF the situation
| BEEN impressed upon the San Francisco
EndBtiner that in recent issue it suggests
| government ownership and control OF the
railroads as the only alternative that can
preserve TO that CITY lis prestige. That re-
sort in time to have tangible effects on the
| rivalry between the two leading ports of
this coast cannot be regarded otherwise
than as forlorn hope.
Already the interstate commerce COM
mission has accomplished muen toward
curling corporation rapacity and arol-
trarv practices. As occasion requires the
Republican party can be relied upon 10 en-
large and perfect the powers OF that COM
mission. Not until Republican congress
shall confess its inability to pass ad -uuate
laws. ana q Republican executive shall
despair OF seeing to their enforcement, will
the great body of the American people con-
sent to have their government enter into
the expensive and complicated business of
railroad ownership and management. In
the meantime Seattle will prepare TO take
advantage OF the tremendous advantages
which Mr.. Huntington has kindly placed
within her reach.