The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-27
THECARRYING TRADE
Steamer Combine Will Meet and
Uphold High Rates.
WORK ON STREET RAILWAYS.
Commercial Street Line to Run I'm Two
yeeks-Hopes OF Roseburg for
Railroad Blasted.


cite headquarters building at Tacoma, and all
the steamer companies will probably be repre-
senfed Officers win be elected, bat no action
u expected in regard to rates. Henry r. Jack
son, of the Puget Sound and Alaska Steamship
Company, says he anticipates no reduction as
the rates new charged do not more than pay ex-
penses. He said:
IF we loaded our boats full of freight and
carried no passengers. We rhould be behind at
the end OF the year The passenger business
Just enables us to make some money, but we
are not making enough to repay our losses In
past years There Is nothing in the statement
tnat we charge rates by measurement on every
thing. While forty cubic feet is the tasis for a
ton, we do not hold down strictly to that figure.
Tor. even when goods run considerably over
that space to the ton. we only charge on the
OASIS OF weight But when ton occupies as
much space as i've or six tons measurement,
we charge on the basis of measurement. If we
did not, we might have the boat loaded up with
only I'VE or six tons of freight where it should
carry forty or fifty tons. In order that shippers
may know what they win have to pay, we have
liked rate for hops. hay and other bulky arti-
cles, as well as for live stock"
Colonel o. +. Briggs, of the Oregon Improve
ment Company, ALSO maintains that the rates
are not excessive, and attributes the protests
against them to the inherent dislike of people
to paying higher prices for anything than they
shipper, in no matter how small way. was
given pass. and that Ben Campbell. determined
70 abolish the pass system, simply cut the rate
In two ard charged half for freight and half for
passengers. This made extremely low and un-
remuneratire rates, and 1t was necessary to
raise them in order 10 make money.
Elijah Smith, president of the Oregon I'm.
provement Company, returned yesterday from
Coos Bay, where he has been examining the
company's property. He says that the people
OF Roseburg and Drains are agitatiug the build
ing OF railroads to Coos Bay, each OF them about
100 miles long. The people of Roseburg and
Empire City each offer subsidy of $4,000 to q
company which will build the road. He does
notlook with favor on the scheme. as he says that
the Roseburg road would run through q rough
country and would cost about 81 100000. The
subsidies, he says, would about pay for the sur
vey. He does not anticipate that the road
would pay. as its route lies through an unde-
veloped country with few industries. He ex-
presses about the same opinion OF the road from
Drains. In regard to the report that c. J. Smith,
late general manager OF the Oregon Railway &
Navigation Company. was TO become connected
with the Oregon Improvement Company, Mr.
Smith would say nothing, either affirming or
denying the statement.
The rails for the second track on the CONNER
cial street motor line arrived last night on the
Walla Walls, and will be laid Immediately.
This track will be completed in about ten days,
About 400 feet of the first track at the north end
remains to be laid, and the road can probably be
put in operation in about two weeks. One
motor 10 on hand already, and an extra car Will
it. Another car and motor have been ordered.
and a ten minute ride will then be given from
the coal bunkers to the island.
Ditching in in progress ON James street for the
cable road The portion of the road from Third
street to Broadway will be constructed first, in
order to give DR.. II. A. Smith an opportunity to
clean the street at the corner of James and Sec
ond streets. About half of the rails and slots
have arrived.
G. r. Shearer who has been train dispatcher
on the Southern Pacific railroad at Sacramento,
has been appointed assistant superintendent of
the Port Townsend Southern railroad, the ap-
pointment taking effect yesterday. He will
have charge of the operation OF the RAILROAD
and docks. II
The contracts for the electrical work b the
Metropolitan street railway will be let at meet
ing of the directors this evening The company
isdoing the grading itself aud has done some
uack-layiug, but viii probably let the contract
for laying the remainder of the track.
Trains will begin running on the Port Town
send Southern railroad on Saturday. The com.
pany has been improving the bailasting on sew
eral sections of the road which run through
swamps, in order to avoid trouble during the
wet season. hence the DELAY.
IT. II. Common has been appointed traveli ng
freight and passenger agent of the Can adam
Pacific railway for Washington. Oregon, Idaho
and Montana. and will make his headquarters
at the Office OF Z. w. Mcainniss. In the Starr
Boyd block.
E. ii. Beckley, chief engineer OF the Great
Northern railroad, returned yesterday from
trip down the road. He found everything pro-
crossing we'll He is now arranging to let the