The morning call., 1893-06-23
THERAILROADWAR
Northern Points Benefited
at Present.
CHEAP RATES TO THE FAIR.
Quite Probable That the War of
Rates May Extend and San Franz
cisco Gain by It.

The smashing Of passenger and freight
rates by the several northern railroad
companies proceeds merrily, and it ap-
pears TO be generally conceded among
local railroad officials that unless some
thing In the shape of a especial provi-
dence" in tervenes San Francisco will en-
JOY. in common with Portland and the
sound ports. reduced passenger rate to
Chicago. True, as local official put it,
the magnates of the northern lines NAV
see the error of their ways before the 25th
inst" when the cut rates are TO 60 into
effect. but it is not likely.
President Hill of the Great Northern is
proving "vertable thorn in the flesh" to
the managers of the northern lines. and his
announcement that a S51 first-class rate
would be made to San Francisco, with S33
for second class, while promptly met by
the Northern Pacific with a frSt-class rate
of S33 60. seems simply to have been fore
taste of the rate-slashing that is to follow.
After the 25th inst. the Northern Pacific
will make first-class rate from st. Paul
to Portland and sound ports of S25, and a
second-class rate of SIS. To meet this il
will be necessary for the Great Northern
to make a $50 first-clsss and S15 second
class rate for the same trip, but at the
local office no official intimation OF such
action has vet been received.
While the Union Pacific is not in the
fight. Manager Hitchcock appears to view
the outlook with equanimity, saying
when the Great Northern. whose line
terminates at Seattle, makes the $50 rate,
II Is not unlikely that the Southern Pacific
road may be drawn into the fight and if
so the present rate of $53 Is to Chicago
may be cut, when the decentralization
would extend in full force to San Fren-
CISCO"
So far as transcontinental freight rates
are concerned San Francisco cannot ex-
pect much. The Canadian Pacific road
has made several cuts in rates, meet
which the Sunset route has had 10 reduce
freigiits. ana that most important factor OF
Ill in giving this city a cheap service for
freight. VIZ: the American Navigation
COMPANY, has been the means of not only
benetting local shippers, but Indirectly of
bringing ABOUT the cut in passenger and
freight rates over the northern lines.
In the meantime the Northern Pacific
gives rate from Portland to Chicago of
S533 60 first class each way, to take effect
on the 18th inst. 1t has not been met.
The Canadian Pacific. not to be left out
In the cold, has made cut rate of S43 60
from Vancouver TO Chicago, and the
have been cut % rer cent for the first and
second classes. Over the same route pas
senger rates have been cut SIS. J. Stern,
agent of the Canadian line in the city,
processes not to view the rate war with
any concern. "The fact is" he remarked,
'the Great Northern is doing precisely as
the Canadian Pacific did at first, viz. Gu
ting rates in order to esta blish status as
competing line. Owing to favorable con-
cessions of terminals, subsidies, etc. she
Great Northern cost, SO it is said. only
about $4,000 per mile, but despite that
fact and any economies that may be posi-
bic in consequence of it. the other two
northern lines are not going to permit the
Great Northern to divert traffic. We are
in the fight and we propose tn stay and
meet any cut that may be made"
And so the case stands at present The
Union Pacific NAV be drawn into the fight
and the agreement said to exist at present
hetween that company and the Great
Northern be abrogated. and the interests
of the Southern Pacific be affected by re-
auctions made in passenger rates from
Portland, in which case the war of rates
will be eXte to this city.
1t is within the line of probabilities that
the Worlds Fair may yet be visited at
minimum cost.