The San Francisco call., 1897-12-10

a few knew along what lines, The secret
is now out
1t Is within the lines of possibility that
within very short time wholesale deal
ers of this city, aided by those of Port
land, will make a determined fight for the
vast trade o. the Northwest, which means
the territory of Northern California, Ore
gon, Washington and Idaho. In order 20
secure this one Thing will have to be ac-
complished-the reduction of freigh rates.
When the movement first opened the in
tention was to compel the steamship lines
to reduce their rates for freight or the as
sociation proposed to patronize subsi-
died line OF its own. To place itself on
firm financial footing large committee
was started out to Sc ecure at least $1S0 900
as a fund.
Considerable of this is subscribed. In
reaching out the members found that
some OF the larger southern communities
were not favorably disposed toward the
move, because it would interfere with
their trade with the East over the sout h
ern lines of railroad. Then the local men
looked to the north, and there some SYM
nathy was found. Not from Seattle and
! Tacoma it is true, for the movement in
| tertered with their commerce, having
ports OF entry and being the terminI OF
dig railroad lines themselves, bat it was
that section that has for its outlet the Co.
lum bia River. While not discussing the
movement very freely some indication
can be had from an interview with A. c..
Rulofson, one OF the principal workers of
The association, who said:
1t has been suggested by William Grant, late
of The DalIes, Or, one of the best posted men
| in Oregon, that when the merchants have
! succeeded in getting cheaper freight rates
both north and south. from San francisco
| it is high time the merchants of California
/ offer inducements TO capitalists above the
! Colum bia River for free transportation above
/ The Dalles. This be accomplished by
! building portage railroad on he Washiu Q.
! ton side Of the Columbia River opposite the
| Little Dales and Cello. This road would be
J twenty miles long. This would open the Up.
per Colum ba and the Snake rivers for hun
( dreds OF miles, and we are sure that parties
are ready TO place a line o. boats on the Upper
! Columbia and the Snake rivers at any time
| this portage railroad is built. 1t is necessary
to build this railroad, as The Dalles prevent.
navigation about the city of The Dalles. The
Columbia River open 10 free navigation wou q
act a feeder TO Portland and San Francisco
| No doubt the different railroads interested
! would oppose the opening of the Colum bis
| River, but we believe the time has come when
| this subject should be agitated and called tc
| the attention OF capitalists who are seeking
| large investments where there is a promise OF
! adequate returns.
The large exporters from Eastern Oregon
! and Washington, together with Idaho, are
!
! for comm oditie Ike wheat wool. hides nut
ton and beef, and as San Francisco is the best
market west of Chicago for this class OF com
modities, cheap freight rates between Port
land ana San Francisco would make thi!
the most natural place to supply that secuor
OF the country with merchandise, such a.
groceries, dry goods, hardware agriculture
implements and all other general merchan
disc in exchange for produce OF that country
| and with established rates that would en-
| courage commerce San Francisco could suppl,
that vast territory as cheaply as any othel
| CITY IN the Union.
With The Columbia and the Snake river.
open to free navigation, several lines o.
steamers would finu all the freight that they
could possibly handle, and at remunerativt
rates. Senator Nj tchell of Oregon, SO we AT,
| advised, has long favored the idea of a port
age railroad around The Dalles. and he anC
| Mr.. Grant only voice the sentiments of thou
| sands OF thinking people of Oregon, Washing
ton and Idaho who see the great advantage O
| such an undertaking
II discussing the general work being
done by the ASSOCIATION NJ. Ruloison re-
marked:
The Merchants Freighting Associa ton il
from day 10 day pursuing its labors and Sc