The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-13

Iohn z ChEIberg arrived In the city last
evening after having completed the short
est OF his many journeys from Guatemala
CITY 20 Seattle. The actual time consum-
ed in travel was twelve days. although IL
was exactly two weeks ago Yesterday
that Mr.. Chilberg left Guatemala City
re lost one day in San Francisco and one
day On San Jose. the two DAYS completing
th. period Of two weeks since his en-
barkatfon.
II came to San Francisco said Mr..
ChiIberg last night. when seen at his
home at 3ss Fifth avenue. ION one Of
the fast steamers that make but one step
Francisco-that at Acapulco. have gone
directly from Seattle on our own ship. the
Transit. 70 San Jose de Guatemala in
fourteen and a half days. and that has
been considered good time On the steam
er ON which I came TO San Francisco
there was also. as passenger Mrs Yes
Ter. who re1palned in California for a few
DAYS but vAexpects soon 10 be home.
The TransN left Guatemala May L. and
should arrive in Seattle by May 20. She
viii bring a cargo of coffee for Victoria,
Seattle, San Francisco and Europe Bust
ness is good IN Guatemala. and there is
liberal demand for flour and lumber as
well as miscellaneous manufactured artf-
Giles from this country. What we are wor-
ried about now Is the fact that we have
been compelled 10 refuse cargo already on
the down trip OF the Transit. There has
been a temporary depression in Central
America. owing to the Nicaraguan revo-
luton. but / Believe that IL is settled now
and Salvador. which has suffered CONNER
cialiy. win be able TO pick up again They
are very anxious to have us extend our
service 10 Nicaragua and Costa Rica
which eventually We will do. In order 10
do This. however, We viii have to have an
other steamer.
'In speaking of the coffee that the
Transit IL bringing, il suggests itself TO
me that Seattle should handle the bulk of
the product from Guatemala There is
room In this city for three or four houses
with 81 100000 capital each and a great
profit could be made. The coffee now goes
to New York city by way Of the isthmus,
and costs $40 per ton to deliver 1t costs SIS
per ton TO deliver IL in Chicago. II ii were
handled in Seattle it could be laid down
in Chicago for $50 per ton. 1t would not
be necessary to go into territory tributary
to New York 20 find market There is
the business of Chicago and all of the vast
territory west. The Puget Sound & Gem
trail American Steamship line can beat the
New York rate to Chicago By a quarter OF
cent a pound. and that IL a good profit.
We could even do better than that. If
necessary 70 meet competition. and still
make money. Much Of the coffee now GO
ing to the East Is handled through San
Francisco. Seattle enjoys ocean and rail
competition, and we can reach Montreal
now as cheaply as the rate given above for
Chicago.
ut Is a great commercial matter, and
firmly believe that some time Seattle,
with her superior advantages over san
Francisco will control 1t. San Francisco
is owned. and the legislature OF California
is also owned and controlled by the South
ern Pacific railroad. and that operates
against the city in every way. There is
plenty of money there. but people are
afraid to risk II. The working classes
are not getting any OF 1t. and there are
hard times and discomfort down there.
San Francisco looks with envious eyes
upon the strides that Seattle Is taking
commercially and never oyerlooks a
chance TO belittIe this city and to put
stumbling blocks In the way of its adj
vancement. With three great railroads
lines OF steamers In every direction. and
local railroads that bid fair 10 become
parts of other great systems Seattle has
little TO fear from any other city on the
Pacific coast"
In returning to matters concerning
Guatemala, Mr. Chilberg said that there
are many Seattle men there, engaged In
all sorts OF occupations and all of them
saying a good word for the Queen city
whenever the opportunity offers. Mr..
n. Chilberg is returning TO Seattle on the
Transit He took down sample lot Of
a half dozen Berkshire pigs. The Guate-
malans are anxious for blooded stock. and
have paid princely sums for carriage and
race horses. Mr.. Chilberg spoke OF the
poor system of packing goods sent from
the states 10 Central America The
merchants down there are willing TO
pay for extra good packing. and expect to
do So
Mr.. Chilberg says he expects to be in Sc
attic several months before returning
south