The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-21
IT Is DISMEMBERED.
Freight Association Deserted
by Southern Pacific.
PRESIDENT CAKES OPINION.
He Says tho Northern Pacific and Great
Northern VIII Agree on Tari6s-Ths
Canadian Pacihc's Competitions.

CHICAGO, Sept a.-The Southern Pacific rail-
road has given notice of withdrawal from the
Western Traffic Association. II seems that the
great Huntington corporation Is getting ready
70 fight its northern competitors, who defed it
BY breaking away from the Transcontinentai
Association. The Western Traffic Association
Is now practically dead, and IL 10 believed in
railroad circles that its fairs will be wound up
ct the next meeting of the advisory board on
October IL The Transcontinentai Association
Is also going to pieces rapidly. and the only
association west OF Chicago which is really OF
any value Is the Western Freight Association.
Without any explanation the Nickel Plate has
put into effect passenger ratio of 1880 from
Chicago TO New York. cut Of VISA The chair
man Of the Central Traf'ic Association is trying
to find out what It means. and to prevent de-
moralizssion, but rate war seems likely.
The St Paul Pioneer Pres. on September Is,
said that IL 10 stated on good authority that the
Great Northern has already gone out and that
tho Northern Pacific will withdraw from the
Western traffic combination at an early date.
1t would also appear that this concerted action
systems Is simply intended 10 pave the way for
an alliance between them, offensive and de-
fensiye, for the protection of their mutual in
terests.
President Cakes, of the Northern Pacific, who
was In st. Paul for few days in the course of
his semi-annual trip OF inspection over the line,
shed some light on the situation in an inter
view with Pioneer Press reporter, in which ho
said:
We do not attach much significance to the
withdrawal of the Great Northern. The notice
was undoubtedly given because the Great North
ern thinks it can handle its own business in It's
own way, unrestricted or unincumbered By the
regulations OF either the Western Traffic Asso-
citation or the Transcontinental. In that respect
tho Northern Pacific il In very much the same
position There are only two interests to DC
considered, and the Great Northern and North
ern Pacific will be able to agree upon all that is
necessary for the protection Of their traffic with
ont the Intervention OF any association. As
matter Of fact both companies Joined the West
ern Traffic Association almost entirely to pro-
mote and encourage q better feeling among tho
lines which were In more active competition
with each other than were the Great Northern
and the Northern Pacific. Our two companies
never had any difficulty in arranging ngree-
Oents and living up To them. What little ex-
perience we have had with the Western Traflic
Association has been very unsatisfactory. The
methods OF the commissioners cumbersome
and their decisions are tardy.
Do you propose to withdraw from the traffic
associationg
Yes; we shall tie compelled in self.defcnse to
withdraw IL 1t be true that the Great Northern
has done so, aud have no doubt but that it is
true. We have not. however, given notice of
withdrawal yet
DO you anticipate any trouble between the
Northern Pacific aud the Great Northern in the
matter OF rates?
We get together always and agree upon rates
20 common poina; We have done it for years,
and we anticipate no difficulty in ag,eeiu g unon
rates TO points that have heretofore been con.
troiled by the Transcoutinentai Association.
The only point that would be involved ut this
time would DO spokane Pacific coast points
will not come up for consideration until the
Great Northern reaches Puget sound. should
not be surprised Il the Great Northern were TO
reduce rates TO Spokane. but l shall be very
much surprised II they reduce them without
the consent OF the Northern Pacific com.
Pany. II Mr. Hill desires to make rcduc-
hat In x..tft L.
20 do 30 We will Join with him In estab-
lishing now tariff. ! cannot see why there
should be any Generalization between our sys-
tenn and Mr.. Hills You have To judge OF what
railroad management will DO in the future by
what II has done in the past Heretofore there
has been the most perfect harmony between the
Do you consider the Great Northern when IL
reaches the Coast will adopt the same policy it
fnaugurated the completion of its line 10
Helena In regard TO freight rates?
do not, but even on that occasion Mr. Hill
afteward restored the old rates.
DO you mean to imply that your system ana
Mr.. Hills will form alliance for the protec-
ton OF their own interests regardless OF any out
side association
independent OF other systems. For instance,
the Union Pacific reaches Portland, and by
means OF boats, taps some of the Puget sound
points and Is consequently factor in the stu.
alton which we have to consider. II the Cana
dian Pacific carries out Its avowed policy OF re-
ducing rates | look for some decentralization
Ia fact. rather look for an experience similar
TO that OF eight or ten years ago. when the lines
got 1t loggerheads and cut rates for some time
In regard to the Canadian Pacific coming into
this territory by means of the 500 extension
ana thereby Offering another outlet to the Coast,
DO not think that any particular Significance
II to be attached To IL. The Canadian road has
practically as good or better connection TODAY
by means OF the Great Northern via Winnipeg
Speaking OF the alleged trouble between the
Union Pacific and the Northern Pacific over the
Oregon Short Line ease, Mr.. Cakes said:
II was case in which the courts simply nm.
held our contention that we had the right to on
erate our own railroad between Portland and
Puget sound points without aifording the Union
Pacific better facilities than we enjoyed our
selves Oar relations with the Southern Pactnc
are OF the most harmonious character.
The officials of the Great Northern road as
usual, are reticent about the matter, but il is
Believed that this road has new surprise In
store In connection with the association