The San Francisco call., 1897-10-29
Eastern People Will Be Brought
Here for Direct Trans
portation.
BETTER ROUTE THAN SEATTLE OFFERS
4 zn-ovisions and Outfits Can Be Pro-
cured Here Cheaper Than
Elsewhere.

The movement which was started here
so auspiciously a few days ago by the
merchants will und oubtedly be a success,
for all the merchants and business men
OF the city look upon IL favorably and
have signi6ed their intention TO give it
their most hearty support.
The committee on transportation is
arranging plans to run excur SION trains
from all Eastern points next summer, so
that those who intend 10 go to the Alaska
gold fields may secure direct passage
thereto al rates much lower than they
can secure should they elect to go by way
OF Seattle and put up with the incon-
venience which they will have TO encoun-
ter by reason of poor accommodations,
high prices for living and for their outfSs.
The excursions Will be run all SUNNI er,
and The passengers will be allowed stop
over privileges in this city.
The committee is sanguine that it can
secure such exc ursion rates as will induce
most of the travel to come this way.
There are many reasons why those who
are intending to go to Alaska next year
should come here, among others being
the fact that provisions and supplies of
all kinds can be purchased here much
cheaper than they can be obtained else
tanned here will be far superior to those
to be had at Seattle, Victoria or any of
the Puget Sound ports.
1t is expected that at least 50. 900 people
will leave this port for the north, and
preparations viii be made 10 furni>h h
double that number with first-class ac-
comm odations while here and arrange for
their speedy transportation to all north
ern points.
The committee that is arranging all
these details will meet in few days to
report progress and to hear the suggestions
of those who have any to offer which may
prove of benefit to the movement
The Seattle merchants have attemp pied
to show that their city is the most direct
route to ST. Michael. This Is not true.
While there is a difference of about 100
miles by straight line in favor of Seattle,
the sailing distance is much greater in
favor of San Francisco by reason of the
fact that the winds which prevail IN sum-
mer blow mostly from the northwest.
Vessels leaving Seattle have to encounter
all OF these heavy winds and are com PEELED
to beat against them. Every old mariner
knows that the weather in the region of
Cape Flattery is very tempestuous during
the prevalence of the northwest winds
which are met with mostly in summer
when the travel to northern points will De
on. 1t Is not an unusual thing-in fact it
is rather the rule than the except on for
vessels leaving Seattle and other northern
points to be blown out of their course,
causing considerable delay, inconvenience
and risk to life.
Said an old mariner who has sailed his
vessel out of the Puget Sound for st.
Michael for many years:
The coast Just north of Seattle is lined
with the wrecks OF vessels which were
blown on the rocks by the north west gales
while trying to make the run from the
Sound to Unalaska. There is a very heavy
swell which sets in toward the shore, and
this. together with the strong winds,
makes it almost mpossibl Tor a vessel to
keep straight course in steering for
Unalaska. In tact, most of the vessels
which leave the Sound in summer are
obliged TO make greater distance to reach
UnaIaska than those which leave San
francisco, for once across the bar the
winds have not such a great influence on
\ ships sailing from this port, owing 10 their
location with reference to the wind"
a prominent merchant wao secured a
price-list from a leading provis on house
IN Seattle compared it with the ruling
prices for the same articles here, and
found that all the staple goods used by
the Alaska miners can be procured here
Tor a great deal less money than the
Seattle merchant quotes.
In few days the com mittees will meet
and form ulate plans that Will, when car
RED Out, secure a fair portion of the
Alaska travel for this city.