The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-17
THE RAILR0AD-STEAME WAR.
Southern Pacific Cuts Rates TO Meet o.
X. q y. Co.

+
rate war between the Oregon Railway *
Navigation Company and the Southern Pa
c.nc came TO a head today, and the battle
for business to Portland has begun. The
oregon people made a cut Of 50 per cent.
which went into effect this morning. and
the Southern Pacific met il with a similar
reduction When the Southern Pacific
began its Portland special" on October
q, the railroad officials foresaw trouble
The rate under the new schedule was $50
for first and $40 for second class. with
berths, from this city 10 Portland and
vice versa. Inasmuch as the running time
Of the specials was scheduled % corre-
spond with the sailing ime Of the steam
ers 70 Portland. IL was plain TO be seen
that the Southern Pacific was anxious TO
cut into the business OF the steamship
line That this object was fulfilled subse-
quent events proved. The officials Of the
Oregon Railway Ss Navigation Company
waited three weeks before venturing TO
protest against the special service Of the
Southern Pacific 70 Portland. Receiver
Mcneil discovered that the steamer bus!-
ness had fallen of considerably, and ia or
der 10 protect the interests of his COM
psny decided 10 come TO this city and SUD
nit a plan OF arbitration to the Southern
Pacific. Accompanied 6y General Passen-
ger Agent w. n. Hurlburt and General
Freight Agent b. Campbell. he came to
this city on Thursday last.
There were several conferences with
Vice President ]. c. Stubbs. Of tae South
ern Pacific and, If rumor may be relied
upon the meetings were characterized by
displays Of warm feeling between the Off
cials The Oregon people threatened 10
cut rates to the lowest notch unless the
Southern Pacific either removed the objec-
tionable service or raised rates so as to
hermit the steamship company TO enjoy
reasonable share Of the business 10 the
north. Mr. Stubs Is a buffer said one
Of the Oregon officials today. He de-
clined all of our propositions, and virtually
defjed us to make any cut in our rates.
we were in favor of maintaining the price.
bat Mr.. Stubbs would not have it. War
was then declared. and II will be on until
the matter is finally settled by arbitra-
ton
After a long consultation the Oregon
railway officials decided 10 take the tnit-
ative, and this morning large sign In
front OF the steamship company's offices
on MONTGOMERY street announced a heavy
cut in passenger rates to Portland. The
former first-class rate Of $3.50 was re-
duced to $40. and the second-class rate of
$3.50 to S. When Vice President Stubbs.
az the Southern Pacific, heard Of the cut
this morning he looked surprised. He
then called upon Passenger Agent Good
man. and after a brief parley bulletin
was issued which ordered a cut IN the $50
first-class rate from this city t. Portland
20 sl5. and a cut IN the 80 sec3nd-class
rate to $3.50 While the cut does not meet
that of the Oregon railway ii Is a mate
rial one. the difference in rates being SO
small that travellers. II IS presumed who
are anxious to make fast time viii prefer
70 pay II rather than patronize the steam
ship line. The cut Of the Southern Pacific
will 20 into effect next Tuesday. The
Oregon railway officials declare that they
VIII force the Southern Pacific 70 settle the
dispute by arbitration or compel them TO
haul passengers 10 Portland free Of cost
The war being now IN progress, the travel
Ing public win await the outcome with
some interest.
Portland Nov. 16.-Whcn Il became
known today that the Southern Pacific
had made s15 and $50 rate between
Portland and San Francisco on the Shasta
special, the oregon Railway & Naviga-
tion Company Immediately announced
lrst-class rate of $. and $3.50 storage
rate.
The Oregon Railway & Navigation Com
panv has really cut rates from and 10 Sc
attle. From Seattle to San Francisco by
the Pacific Coast steamers the rate is Si5
flrst-class: by Northern Pacific 70 Port
land and q. r. & y steamers TO San
Francisco the fare is S11 20.