The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-13
THE SHORTEST LINE.
The Chamber Wants the Great
Northern to Take 1t.
PLAN FOR TRADE EXCURSIONS.
Doings at Meeting OF Board OF Trustees
Local Steamboat Inspectors
Want Better Pay.

At yesterday meeting OF the trustees
of the Chamber Of Commerce E. O. Graves.
Thomas w. Prosch, A. N. Brookes, " Z.
Forrest. James r. Hayden, C. n. Sheafe
and z. Z. Whittier were present. The fol-
| LOWING letter was read from A. p Mitten
in regard to securing the most direct route
into Seattle for the Great Northern rail-
way:
Il occurs 70 the writer that some action
should be taken by the chamber in the matter
OF the building OF the Great Northern into Sc
attls by the most direct route. IL view Of the
magnificent right-of-way given by the city 10
that corporation we should not be satisfied with
anything less than the fsirest consideration. II
Seattle passengers and freight have 70 go via
Everett and suohomish Will not the Northern
Pacific have but little less than its present ad-
vantage over Seattle?
believe that committees from the Chamber
OF Commerce, Board OF Trade AMI the city eoun-
Gil should meet M. Hill. who is expected here
IN few days, and show him that Seattle can
and will make il profitable 10 the Great North
eru 70 put itself into the most direct competition
with Sesttle's ancient and uncompromisiag
enemy, the Northern Pacific.
The matter was referred to a special
committee to be appointed by the presi-
dent.
joint committee, consisting of the
mercantile, transportation and a special,
made a report recommending series of
trade excursions to Seattle from the sur
rounding towns and cities. For these
excursions the local hotels will give
reduction OF from Is to IS per cent. in their
rates. The arrangement of details for
these excursions was left to the joint COM
mittee.
William ]. Bryant and George w. Bull
lene, local inspectors of steam vessels,
think that their present salaries are TOO
low; and, accordingly, they sent the fol-
lowing letter to the chamber:
Some twenty years ago. when there were only
few steamers, the board of local inspectors OF
steam vessels established in the Puget
sound district and the salary was fixed at $50
per annum- The steamboat business has mora
than Kept pace with ali other enterprises in this
great Northwest country. To illustrate: In
ISL We inspected ffty-two steamers and IL
eensed 232 officers. During the year 1891 we
inspected 30 steamers an licensed 92o officers
We have about thirty-fye steamers that
are not included in the number f2l0)
inspected, which win probably come
come in during the present year, and with the
average increase, we viii have TO inspect 80
steamers this year, and license 1000 officers
We have probably more travelling 70 do than
any other local board in the United States. as
Alaska. which comprises a coast line of $50
miles, and our salary remains the same as
when the board was first established, $500, which
is the lowest salary paid to any board in the
United States
We inciose q list showing the salaries paid
the different boards, together with the number
OF steamers inspected and officers licensed In
the several districts. You viii observe by the
list that there are local boards that inspect less
that loo steamers that receive salary of 5000
while we inspect over 200 steamers at a salary of
$500
An equitable bill TO remedy this injustice was
prepared by the department and passed the
Senate of the Fifty-frst congress and was re-
ported fayorab!y and was placed on the calen-
dor OF the House OF Representatives. The bill
referred To was entitled SENATE bill No. l,6aa,
first session, Fifty-first congress-"
We very respectfully ask your able support
ana cooperation in either having this said bin
called up and passed or to have section 44i4
United states Revised Statutes. amended so as
to insert the words Puget sound after Huron.
We enclose rough copy of the bill, and with
your support we will hope the same Will pass
the Fi.ty-second congress.
The table inclosed shows that the salaries
OF the inspectors at such ports as Milwau-
kee. Huron, etc. receive 1000, while
those at Burlington, Appalachicola and
Puget sound receive only $500 per year.
The trustees took no action in the matter.
The trustees decided TO indorse a petit
ton TO the Transcontinental Association
TO authorize the loading and the quoting
OF uniform car load rates on mixed cars
containing butter. eggs, cheese and dressed
poultry.
The transportation committee recon-
mended that Mr.. Hart be given assistance
in locating excelsior works here, and ac-
cordingly $3.50 was voted to help nav the
expenses OF moving. The money is TO be
paid after the plant has been for six
months IN actual operation