The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-13
REFUSED WHARFAGE.


Penalty Imposed at Tacoma for Not
Raising Raies-P. y. Co.'S Plans.
TAcoxa. Dec l2-The steamboat pas
senger rate war which started yesterday,
as announced in the PosTIsTELLIGEScER,
with the serving Of notice upon capt.
Willey's boats that they could not dock 81
the Northern Pacific railroad docks here II
he decided not to raise the rates from Ia
coma - Seattle from 50 cents to 20 cents,
is still on. This morning the clash came.
Willey's boat the City OF Aberdeen arrived
from olympia about $50 a. m. Her lines
were thrown off and were taken by her
agent, no Nor; hern Pacific official touch
ing them. She made last, and all went
well until this afternoon. when the rail-
road company was on hand ready 20 pre-
vent her from landing.
Her lines were thrown of again. but the
Aberdeen's agent made no move to secure
them. Mr.. Butler, tho has charge OF the
wharf under the railroad company, took
hold of the lines and threw them into the
water. Capt Wiley was not aboard. and
the Aberdeen moved off up TO the Com
mercial docks. Capt Wiley was aboard
this morning, however, and it was gener-
ally understood that be left the boat at
some kind agains. the Northern Pacific
TWAS also noi.ed about the wharf that
the local officials of the Northern Pacific
were acting upon their own responsibility
in this matter, and that there would
be trouble for them when the
head officers heard of what had
been done. Many steamboat men de-
nounce Capt. Wiley for not putting up
=. he has
not been treated properly. 1t is said he
was willing to go into the deal some time
ago. provided the Northern Pacific made
such changes as would benefit him. This.
il is claimed. was not done, hence Capt
Willey's opposition.
Manager Neff, of the Pacific Navigation
Company, would not state today what his
plans were, but he minated that there
would be plenty of sensations ahead if
Capt. Wiley didn't meet the Pacific Navi-
CATION Company's rate. He would not
state definitely if the company would put
IT'S rate down to so cents or lower, even If
Capt. Wiley did not come TO time. but it
is understood rates will be cut freely if the
matter is not adjusted. As it is it appears
TO be fight with all the passenger steam
ers pitted against Capt. Wiley.
Inasmuch as President Ashton of the
Pacific Navigation Company Is attorney
for the Northern Pacific, the public has
generally supposed he was responsible for
the order. Investigation shows, however.
that the order was originally uttered by
Assistant General Superintendent Dickin-
son, representing the western division of
the road, and, as far as can be learned, such
action was taken without consulting the
heads of departments in the Fast. Dick
inson undoubtedly has jurisdiction IN
matter of thas nature, but II is considered
doubtful If local steamboatmen under the
circumstances would attempt to force up
rates without canvassing the situation
with headquarters at 81. Paul. Mr.. Dick
inson's order went to &. G. Chandler. who
pu, IL in force through Wharfmaster
Butler.
Mr.. Dickinson is also general superin-
tendent Of the Puget Sound & Alaska
Steamship Company. and while IL is as
sumed he is trying to sustain water pas
senger rates in order TO benefit the North
ern Pacific rail lines, q considerable portion
of the public look upon the demand TO
raise rates or quit docking at the Northern
Pacific wharf as something of hold-up.
A steamboat manager says:
Tacoma will never prosper as ship
ping point SO long as the Northern Pacific
controls the wharves ana controls them
arbitrarily"
The Commercial Club tonight took up
the matter and referred it to committee
for investigation. should WilIey's boats
refuse to enter the pool and as result the
Pacific Navigation Company lose business,
1t is not believed the latter will maintain
the Is cent rate. President Ashton said
tonight: There is undoubtedly an ar
rangement between the Flyer and the
Northern Pacific TO maintain the stability
of the Northern Pacific rail lire charges"
He intimated that in order 10 maintain
the 7s-cent rate q differentiai scheme
might be resorted TO in connection with
the + yer.