The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-16
A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE NORTH
ERy PACIFIC.
cHRIsrorHEE,s. Feb. 10.

70 THE EDITOR: desire 10 call the attention
of the public. and the Seattle Chamber of Com
merce in particular. to the direct injury being
inflicted upon the residents of the south end OF
King county by the above named corporation,
and 10 point out how the same has injurious
effect and bearing upon the trade and business
OF seattle.
Some time ago the "boat service from Seattle
TO Tacoma and vice versa was accelerated so as
to make the trip in about one hour and quar-
ter which was considerably less than the North
ern Pacific railroad time, and at STA lighter we
had train 10 Seattle at S, 9, L, $50. 6:S) and
SD, and returning at $50, IL. 2, $50 and 9.
About two weeks ago change took place. and
now we have 10 Seattle s, l2:30 and $50, aud re-
turning at $50 and 6 p. M, with two trains
day each way that don't stop, being termed
'fycrs," and they make the run, about thirty
eight miles, in seventy-hye minutes The re-
suit is that this change "for the accommoda-
ton OF business men" has nearly cut off all To-
cal traffic to Seattle We cannot go back again
until night and therefore unless we are com
PEELED 10 go we stay az home, and this also re-
fers to Kent and Christophers. We can get to
Tacoma in e morning and return at noon, and
unless there is the same facility accorded to US
from Seattle We shall be forced to trans
fer our business to Tacoma Last
week, when Mr.. Devine, OF the Kent bank,
and myself laid our complaints in q very plain
manner before the representatives OF the North
ern Pacific railroad at Seattle we were informed
that uasmuch as they had got the present ar
engagements made at their request, they did not
like 10 again ask for change necessitating the
quick trains stopping a, certain Intermediate
stations; therefore. having made a mistake, to
the detrimeni of the local traffic and TO Seattle,
they must for the present sta with it-and We
must stand the annoyance of their mistake.
Another example: LAST Friday had occasion
to go to stuck with five ladies and two children.
went myself aud also sent another passenger
TO inquire if the 60 at stuck would stop to
pea up passengers going north, and explained
the great inconvenience and annoyance il was
misiniocmed. We were both told plainly 1t
would stop II signaled. We went 10 tie Depot
ond signaled for 1t to stop all the way from It's
appearance on Stuck bridge to the depot, one
aud one hail miles, but 1t went on anu lelt us
there, with the result We had TO walk 10
Slaughter, one and Une-half miles. Two ladies
for Kent could not get home that night and four
for Cnristophers had to get wagon and landed
home about SIS
The waiting-room was locked up; the station
agent would not even condeseend TO open it,
and any Information we obtained had to be re-
csiyed and given by calling out through the
closed windows of the Office.
have been fool enough 10 believe that rail-
road was operated for business now am edu-
Gated enough to know 1t is for the Gland grant"
Another example: At Christopher's We have q
depot built at the expense OF our residents some
TOUR years ago The platform erected by the
Northern Pacific railroad is about big enough
for the express and mail car and the passengers
have to jump about four feet to the ground TO
get off, We have been promised an amendment
of this for ABOUT two years. A quantity of
lumber is lying rotting, pre- >umably for the sim
proyement,' and although this small depot
draws about $3.50 a month and about sl25
month for milk freight, nothing but empty
promises are obtained.
have not shipped ton of freight this year,
and why? Because the switch is ON the west
side of the track, with practically no means of
getting to the car, except putting planks from
the platform across the track and lifting or
carrying it into the car Thus we don't try to
ship our freight to seattle. The cost of handling
the same at the railroad sidetraek Is equal TO its
value, and We should pay the Northern Pacific
railroad for the pleasure OF the thing.
We want a competitive road, of any descrip-
ton, and if the Great Northern or the Union,
or the Motor, or any other road, will come along
and bind themselves to reasonable conditions
and reasonable service, then the Northern Pa
cifc railroad will only need and require through
trains. Their local receipts won's pay Tor oil
and tallow.
Another benefit they have conferred upon
the farmers here is as follows: Last year the
company filed up all the trestles on the road
from near Stuck to Thomas crossing, about five
miles. When the river overhowed last fall the
Northern Pacific railroad embankment I'M
pounded all the water, and instead OF going
west to the slough, its natural way, II was heid
up until il ran north, and then in stream IKE
a river II carried all before It, fences, logs, mop
poles and rubbish, and submerged thousands OF
acres from two TO four feet deep; washed out
our county roads, which will cost this county
thousands OF dollars to make good again by the
taxpayers money. No wonder that our COM
missioners are short of funds TO improve exist
ing aud to open out new and much-needed
roads.
The Northern Pacific railroad. in my opinion,
would buy up unpriucipled men who, ior con.
sideration would sell the rights OF the people OF
this state, although sent to the legislature TO de-
leud them. and after the Legislature has passed
certain measures and handed them to the leu
tenant governor for approval get him to veto
them. rather than the road for the con-
venience OF the public or improve their service
or build necessary accommodation.
BY their fruits We shall know them. We have
seen them bud, blossom and in fruit, and in the
nostrils OF the residents of this end OF King
county the name of the Northern Pacific rail
road stinks and is offensive.
The sentiments OF this letter are not those OF
a few but OF the great bulk OF the residents,
and particularly Of Yours Truly,
JAMES HART