The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-22
AFFAIRS OF THE N. P.
Late Spring Delays the Opening
Of the Years Traffic.
MANAGER MeLLEn IN THE CITY.
The Proposed Fast Trains e the East
subslAy for the Pert Angeles
Read CenpleteA.

W. 8. Melien, general manager Of the
Northern Pacific railroad, arrived in the
city in his private Car yesterday, accom-
panied by G. II. Prescott, vice president.
G. w. Dickinson. assistant general super
intendent, James NJ. Ashton and +.
Jones, Of West Superior, Mr.. Mel
lens father-in-iaw. He spent the
day In inspecting the company's property
In this city and in talking over its BUSH
Miss with the local officials. In an inter-
view with PosT-IsTELIIGKscER reporter
he said:
IN Nay II the business warrants It The time
between Seattle and ST. Paul will Be ssxty-two
70 sixty four hours, but the cards have not yet
been made. We hope business will soon be
better, though the WORLDS fair business 10 an
entirely unknown quantity - yet We are
fully prepared to handle It, for our rolling stock
was never In better condition than It il at the
present time.
We are not doing a. heavy freight business as
We did at this time last year. The reduced
rates have had depressing effect II anything;
q least think tho amount OF the rates does
not cut any figure At all The late spring has
also had something TO do with the amount OF
business, for the movement Of freight has been
delayed BY the weather.
no one tuiuS mere W0lc0 II lelpl0H tuiugb u
the movement Of shingles and lumber East.
We have 600 empty cars on the way here from
the East 70 load shingles and lumber. most OF
them for points on the Seattle. Lake Shore Il
Eastern road. We have had trouble in getting
cars back promptly from our connecting lines,
but there in some improvement In that respect.
The earnings OF the Lake shore road have
shown . better increase since we took il and
gave IN outlet for Its shingle business, than any
Afh2r Thu ouiv on.
ture OF that business Is that We have to bring
empty ears out here to take care Of IL
The combining OF the fruit growers in large
companies with dryers, evaporatofs and canner-
les viii greatly improve the business. The
trouble has been hitherto that the growers have
not been skilled in handling their product and
have mot been able to ship IL 10 car loads that
II could be hauled cheaper.
We arc keeping up the work OF reducing the
grades and curves all the time and taking on,
wooden bridges aud replacing them with iron.
while we taking out others altogether and
making cold banks in their place. We are
very well satisfied with the condition Of the
rpsd and the way It is being taken care OF by
our local organization.
Mr.. Jones, who Is engaged in the lumber
business at West Superior, has been look
INK At the timber of the Sound country,
and said Of It.:
We ma dimcuity In Minnesota and Wiscon
sin In getting long, heavy timbcrs and joists
and 20 we are shipping large quantities from
this Coast, but you cannot ship short timbers
from here. Your lumber Is gaining favor in the
East and ] think . large quantity will be
shipped ct tho new rates; you will also handle
flooring and siding from here. Cedar shingles
have the call in the market aud the breaking up
Of the association will prove good thing. for 1,
VIII stimulate business. The heavy timber
from here II used principally for dock purposes.
Large docks are being put up at West superior,
Duluth and Two Harbors, and Puget sound
lumber 10 being used In them. OF course tim
Der 10 worked up much closer with us than with
Yen, parts hich your lumbermen throw away
being made into sash. doors and mouldinga
Yesterday was Mr.. Dickinson's fortieth
birthday and the fact was celebrated by
the party and friends at dinner at the
Rainier Club. In the evening the party
attended the minstrel show at the Seattle
thsater, two boxes being set aside for them,
and Mr.. Primrose made q clever allusion
to Mr.. Dickinson's anniversary which
brought down the house Mr.. Mellen
and his party leave for st. Paul this morn.
ing.