The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-11-26
People Who Have Never Been
Ten Miles From Home
NOW RUSHING TO CALIFORNIA
Trains and Steamers Loaded to the
Guards Steamship Columbia
zone Of the Finest."

Sunday evening in Portland at the Union
depot and steamer dock were enacted
many lively scenes as the long trains
and the big steamers were about to
start on their race to San Francisco
not race in time. but race as to popu-
larity under the low rates established by
the war between the two transportation
companies.
At the Union depot nineteen first and
second-class sleepers were being loaded
with hundreds Of travellers for the South
on the Southern Pacific steamer-day train
while hundreds Of people stood about the
depot and platforms, bidding friends fare
well; others out of mere curiosity
watched the proceedings.
At the steamer dock of the o. r. 6 N.
the Columbia lay alongside and the
throngs pouring over the gangways gave
evidence that many people were on the
move. Here the crowd was even greater
than at the depot, and when the warn
ing, "All ashore' was finally given, an
Immense throng lined the dock for sew
eral blocks. The command is given. ana
MS the big ship slowly moves down stream
shouts of farewell and we'll wishes are
exchanged, handkerchief are waved In
the glare of the searchlight manipulated
by Pilot Patterson, and In O few mo-
ments the steamer Is making rapid pro-
gress towards the ocean.
Inquiry of the officials revealed the fact
that every berth in the ship was taken.
and many cots would have to be used In
the dining saloon. The passenger list
altogether numbered-a52 cabin and about
800 steerage. Besides the passengers 4
large tonnage Of freight was in the holds
In passing, the improvements made in
10 ofa xtyha uh q an M dFts
dock in San Francisco short time since,
are worthy Of notice. The most note
worthy are the electric lighting system
and big searchlleht. the new fan which
forces air to the flames making artificial
instead Of natural draught for the flames.
The dynamo. which supplies the electric
fluid for 2S0 lamps, is one of the best,
and makes $50 revolutions, while the big
fan makes 600 revolutions per minute.
In the cabin on the main deck has been
built q magnificent bath room, fit for a
king, while all Of the appointments for
the ladies are first class in every respect
The large kitchen, pantries, refrigerators,
wine rooms. store rooms, ETC., of the
stewards department, are of approved
olans and capable OF taking care or hum
dreds Of guests. During the present rush
Steward Anthony has been obliged to add
laroe number Of cooks ana walters to
his force.
The following are the efficient officers
" this model coast steamer: BolleD,
captain: Tetson, first officer; Patterson,
nllot: Jackson, chief engineer; Demis,
Durser; Anthony, steward.
Inquiry among traffic men would iud-
cate that in the present fight It Is the
General opinion that Major Mcneil is in
t to stay, and that the railroad COM
pany Is rather the trespasser None
ieem to be able to see what can be ac-
Homplished in the way Of reaching an
agreement on rates that might not have
been arranged without fight. THE
railroad company is surely losing more
money than the steamship company"
aid a well known railroad man. ''Their
regular overland trains are running empty
very day. and they certainly cannot
keep up the game much longer"
What Is trouble and loss for the COM
panles Is only fun for the public. Peo-
pie who have never been ten miles
from home are now piling over each other
TO secure space on the steamers or spe-
rIal trains. Business men are going to
San Francisco 10 attend to matters that
under ordinary circumstances would be
attended to by mail. But the ridiculous
" low rates make q strong temptation TO
combine small amount OF business with
Z great deal Of pleasure. AstorianB are
Ill sailors and mostly prefer the steamer.
so that on each sailing a large number
Of reservations are made for this city.
lust when the fight will end or what its
outcome will be no one seems able to
say, but II history repeats itself the old
-ates will not be restored, but the trans
portation companies, at considerable
loss OF money. win probably have sue
reeded in establishing lower schedule
without commensurate gain In earn
ings.