The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-28
PREPARING FOR WAR.
Meaning of the Great Northern's
Latest Move.
WILL GIVE THAT ACCENT RATE.
Competition OF the Road Will Be the
Signal for . Fight for Business
To New York In LIZ Days.

The notice given by President Hill. OF
the Great Northern railroad, that his road
will withdraw from the Transcontinental
Association on January /, $685. coupled
with the s. cut in rates from the East to
Spokane, is in effect the beginning of n
rate war among the transcontlnentai roads.
Mr.. Hill has made so many promises OF
low rates between the East and the Coast
that he could not very well back ont with
ont stultifying himself. Further than
that. new line is always at disadvan-
tage in soliciting business as against an
old established road, whose agents
know the country well in which
they are doing business. and know
and have formed friendly relations
with the shippers. The snew road
can always depend on getting the business
of men who have a kick against the old
one. but that will be small proportion of
the whole, and the old road agents, in an
ticipation of the coming of a competitor.
will probably have been modifying the
most desirable kickers. Unless the new
road cuts rates it is likely to be uphill
work to get good proportion Of the BUSH
ness.
The Great Northern's announcement
apparently means that rates will be cut.
Mr.. Hill's statement that he can carry
lumber to Chicago at 40 cents is we'll
known. Had he been disposed to wait
until his road was completed and in oper-
alton and then to remain in the Transcon-
tinentai Association, he would about next
January have proposed this rate to the
association. As the vote on such a ques-
ton must be unanimous. his proposition
would certainly have been rejected. Then
If he had desired to withdraw in order to
put the rate in force without violating his
obligation, he would have to give ninety
days notice. Thus it would have been
well on in April before the reduction
could be put into effect.
Mr.. Hill has predicted that his track
would be connected near the summit
about December l. and that ballasting
Will follow close after the tracklayers.
Thus, ii his predictions are fulfilled, he
will be ready for business about January I.
He is not likely to be delayed more than
another month, and thus he will be in
position To haul freight anu passengers
just about the time when he is no longer
trammeicd by his membership in the
Transcontinentai Association, snd he can
make any rates necessary to secure bust
ness.
If every advantage that is claimed for
the Great Northern exists, it will revolu-
tionize transcontinental business. Its
distance from here to st. Paul is put at
1880 miles, about 200 miles less than any
other road. 1t is said to have the best
roadbed and the easiest grades of any
road, which implies cheap operation and
short timc In the journey. Its fixed
charges are said to be lower than those of
l.. Il.
make money at rates at which other roads
would lose. Whether this claim is we'll
founded can only be determined by wad-
ing through Poor's manual" The talk
is that the Great Northern will be-
gin running passenger trains be-
tween Seattle and st Paul at the
rate of thirty miles an hour, which allows
sixty hours for the trip. From st. Paul to
Chicago is twelve-hours' run, from Chi
cago to New York is twenty-four hours, so
that Seattle would be within four DAYS
run of the Atlantic coast 1t is claimed
that after the track has had years sea-
soning trains will be run at the rate of
forty miles an hour. making the trip to st.
Paul less than two days and to New York
three and one-half days. These are some
aof the predictions made by Great North
ern enthusiasts.
The following dispatch contains official
confirmation of the statement mentioned
in the opening paragraph:
ST. PAUL, Aug. 27.-It is officially announced
that the Great Northern Railway Company has
given notice of withdrawal from the agreement
OF the Transcontinental Association, effect
i've January /. 1898. The purpose of this notice
10 announced to be TO place the COM
pany in a position. upon the completion of its
lines To tho Pacific coast. to adopt a policy with
respect to rates which will promote the in
tercsts OF the cities 1t reaches, and which, il
appears, have heretofore suffered from diserim-
nation.