Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-01-11
THE GREAT NORTHERN'S ADVENT

Ever since the work of constructing
its transcontinental line was begun by
the Great Northern Railway company
the people of each particular point on
Puget Sound have been watching and,
unfortunately, waiting as well, to see
what its completion would do for them.
In the minds of too many its advant-
ages have been regarded as local rather
than general, and it has been expected
that Immediately upon its completion
some point was to be designated as the
favored place which should reap the
whole benefits of the operation Of that
great line. 1t is useless to discuss the
probabilities or the possibilities of any
particular or definite course which will
or may be pursued in that regard by
the company. The business of railway
companies, like the business Of private
individuals, is best promoted by keep
ing its affairs within the knowledge of
those who are conducting il, but there
Is broader view of the matter which
ought to be gratifying to all who are
interested, and which should stimulate
to action in their own behalf all who
are ambitious to make the most of the
advantages offered.
There ale many reasons to believe
that there will be general improve
ment in the business of the whole
country during the coming spring and
summer. We now have three trans
continental lines of railway, one of
which reaches the northern end Of the
Sound, one the southern end, and the
Great Northern reaching every point
from Seattle north to the international
boundary line, all having branch roads
running into the interior, reaching
some of the best timber lands in the
state. 1t is certain that the rates of
freights and fares on all of these great
lines will be the lowest rate established
by any one Of them, so that at present
aud in the future no point has or can
have any advantage over the other. AL
most the only products which we
have west Of the mountains
for shipment are coal and lumber, and
a rate on lumber has been promised
which will open up the markets of the
East to our cedar, spruce and clear
lumber Of other kinds, together with
shingles and large timbers for bridges
ana other purposes, and there is every
reason to believe that in the immediate
future the demand and facilities for
shipment will be of incalculable value
TO the people of the whole country.
This Of course will largely increase our
revenues and naturally stimulate all
business.
II is not unreasonable to suppose that
during the coming summer the coun-
try will be visited by much larger
number Of tourists and people seeking
investments than during any season in
the past. The features Of the country
which are attractive to both of these
classes have been extensively adver.
tised, and the attention of the travel.
ing world will be directed anew to the
facilities for travel, the grandeur and
beauty Of the scenery and the marvel
Gus resources Of the country through
the medium Of the Chicago exposition.
OF the millions who will attend that
great exhibition Of the arts and sci
ences. and industries and products Of
the world, many thousands will doubt.
less visit the Pacific coast, and many Of
them will invest in the various enter
prises which offer such rich re
muneration for capital invested.
In,the older countries, whose resources
were almost fully developed before the
present perfection in railroad building