The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-14
HILL ON THE STRIKE.
He Says 1t Should Not Have
Reached the Coast.
NoN-coMMITTAL ON o. r. & N.
The Great Northern President Roundty
Rates the Strikers and Ridicuies
Their Hopes.

James J. Hill, president of the Great
Northern railway. returned to the city
last night at IL O'Clock from Vancouver,
Il. c., to which point he had accompanied
his guests. SIR William c. Van Horn,
president of the Canadian Pacific railway;
Lord Mount-Stephen and Sir Donald Stew
art, stockholders and directors OF the
Canadian Pacific; Sir John Mcneil
and SIR William Blackstock, gen.
erals in the British army. The
special train carrying the guests left
Seattle at 5 o'clock yesterday morning,
and on board besides Mr.. Hill, were P. p.
Shelby, general manager of the coast
lines; j. ID. Farrell, assistant general
superintendent. and J. B. Copeland, ..supe--
intendent of coast lines, all of the Great
Northern system. At Vancouver the
foreign visitors divided. Mr.. Van Horn
going to Montrea. and the others to their
several destinations. Mr.. hill and his
officials returned 10 Seattle IN special
train consisting of two private coaches.
Mr.. Hill was seen Immediately on his
return to the city last right and. though
he consented to an interview. he would
not talk readily concerning his proposed
traffic agreement with the Oregon Railway
& Navigation Company. nor would he say
anything with regard to the prospect OF
the extension of the tracks to the Jackson
street depot site and the erection of the
building there. When asked about the re-
lation between the Great Northern and the
Oregon Railway & Navigation Company,
Mr.. Hill said that he had no contract with
the latter, but would not positively deny
that there was an agreement, merely say
ing that there was nothing at ali that
could be considered of any public interest.
what arrangement have you made with
reference TO the occupancy Of your termi-
nal grounds ?" Mr.. Hill was asked.
~ don't know anything about it, re-
piled he.
"Ain't you going to occupy them?"
Yes; if we can, we will. We've bought
the ground and now We can't use it. I'm
going to remain in town tomorrow and
look into the matter and find out what's
wrong"
Mr.. Hull was not slow about giving an
opinion of the American Railway Union
strike. Said he:
"These men out here had no cause TO
strike and will not profit by it. The only
question involved was whether or not a
car shop in Chicago should run and the
controversy ought never to have gone out
side that town. Here we have 1000, 600
men out of work and in such times as
these men who have positions give them
up for reasons which they themselves
can't understand or explain. But
they'll have to learn. Some of
them will probably have to
pack up and go away to some foreign
country where they will not only be
strangers but the language will be strange
to them. What do We care away out here
whether car shop u Chicago runs or
shuts DOWN. The strike shouldn't have
affected people on the Coast at ALL Now
many men are tied up who are glad of an
opportunity to cease operations2 They
would be still more glad if they could sell
out and get away. They're not going to
extend their business; they're more likely
10 draw IL in, and many mem who quit
work now will have a hard time to lind
employment again"
Mr.. Hill was told that some of the
strikers are saying that If the strike can
be prolonged q little longer and ncom-
petent crews given an opportunity TO ruin
the locomotives the companies will be
compelled 10 call back the old men in
order TO effect repairs. To this he replied
That's all bosh. Why, there's twice as
much rolling stock in reserve ready for
use there Is in operation. There's moth
! ing in their theory. Look at the men who
are idle What field 10 draw from
| They're not talking sense"
Mr.. Hill was quite anxious TO know
whether or not the announcement that
Debs had called the strike off was true.
Being told that it could not be verified, he
said:
"Well. it's only for a few days longer
any way. Ii won't last but about three
days nov"
70 hen do you think times will pick
| NJ, Mr.. Hill was asked.
''oh, / don't know. he replied quickly.
aud that's ali he would say on the SUB
lect
Mr.. HUI will remain In the city all day
today attending 10 several business mat
tiers. He Will leave tonight for trip
along the line To be gone indefinitely. He
would not say when he expected to return
In - pAul