The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-02-27
THE STEAMBOAT QUESTION.
The WhatcOm Blade Alleges Unjust
Discrimination Against the Bay
Cities.

There is considerable agitation just now
among our merchants, on account of the
unjust discrimination made by the Lydia
Thompson and other steamers plying be-
tween this point and the islands, and a
movement is now on foot to put on an
other boat in the interests of the Bay
business men. 1t is claimed that all the
steamers on the Island route have raised
the rates from Whatcom to Friday Har-
Dor, while the rate is just the same as
heretofore between Friday Harbor and
Seattle. The kick is not alone with our
business men but with those of the islands
as WELL who claim that they would will
ingIy 10 business with the Bay merchants
if it were not for the excessive rates
charged compared with those to certain
other points. The Lydia Thompson is
owned by Seattle parties and, it is claim
ed, has always favored the interest of
that city and it is because the business
men OF Seattle pull together i'll their eff
forts to secure the island trade and all
center on the above steamer to do their
work. If our merchants were to take
steps to establish steamboat line of their
own, or secure the service OF some steam
er and then patronize it exclusively, they
would soon reap the reward of an in
creased island trade. Capt. Jenkins, of
the steamer Bay City, says the trouble
lies with the merchants in not centering
on one boat to do all their business. The
trade in that locality is too light at pres
ent to warrant dividing it up among sew
eral steamers, as has been done hereto
fore and increased rates is the result
Whatcom Blade.
The Blade undoubtedly means well
but it is wrong in both its premises and
conclusions in this matter. Ii it has
any substantial foundation for it's al
legation of "unjust discrimination" it
would do we'll to make it's charge more
specific. 1t is true that the rates of
fare to and from the Bay Cities have
been raised, and The ISLANDER, it
will be remembered, saw fit to criticise
the steamboat men for putting the
new schedule into effect without any
notice to the public, but we recognized
then as we do now, that there was
good reason for the advance. 1t ought
to be clear to any one that there can
be no profit in earring passengers for
fifty cents. AT the same time the fare
to Seattle was $500 as it is now, while
the round trip rates to Whatcom is
now only $500 The freight rate on
to Or from WhatcOn 81 90
The Lydia Thompson is not due to
arrive in Seattle until about eight
O'Clock in the evening and she leaves
at one in the morning. She is due at
Whatcom about seven in the evening
and leaves at four in the morning.
The Buckeyes route is between What |
com and Anacortes and she ties up
four nights a week at Whatcom, where |
t,.. III e.,
arriving there about seven in the even
ing and leaving at six i'll the morning
The Blade can hardly find in these
facts any foundation for its allegation
of "uniust discrimination" The Lydia
carries far more freight to
and from Seattle than she does to or
from WhatcOm for the simple reason |
that the products of the islands find a |
better market in Seattle than they do in |
the Bay G. ties and most of tie merch |
ants of the county buy their goods from
Seattle wholesalers. The Bay Cities |
get considerable retail trade from the |
islands but if the merchants over there |
were to act upon the Blades suggestion !
to Establish steamboat line of their |
own" they would soon weary of the |
as it is very doubtful ifl
the steamers now Oh the route would |
be able to pay expenses if it were not |
for their mail contracts. Mr.. New
halls FORTS to improve the mail ser
vice OH the Buckeyes route and get /
it extended to Whatcom and Fairhaven |
will. if successful, be a material help to
the Bay Cities, as well as to many Of
the people of the islands, and if the
Bay people will do all they can to aid
him in the work and not bother about |
another steamer they will render real
service that will be appreciated.