The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-18
THIS THE RAILROAD Center.
REPRESENTATIVES, OF MANY ROADS
COMING TO THE QUEEN CITY.
They Are After Their share Of Next
Years Rush 10 the North. and
Naturally Recognise Seattle ~ the
Principal Port Of Departure.

Seattle has become the Mecca of half OF
the general passenger agents of the West
ern railroads. Hardly week passes with
out the visit of some railroad official con-
necied with the passenger department OF
some of the big railroads of the country.
All have the same object in visiting Sc
attic. They want to learn something of
the klondike traffic and judge for them
selves what business VIII be worked up
next season and how best to handle it.
Ten days ago John Sebastian. general
passenger and ticket agent OF the Chicago,
Rock Island d Pacific, spent a day in Sc
attic He was accompanied by S. X. Hoop
er. general passenger and ticket agent of
the Denver 4 Rio Grande and F. A. Wad-
leigh, who occupies a similar position with
the Rio Grande Western. Mr.. Sebastian
learned great deal about the Klondike
durine his stay here-enough TO convince
him that Seattle would do ahree-fourths of
the Quitting done on the Pacific coast.
He viii advertise this city as the princi-
pal port of departure.
The latest general passenger official to
visit Seattle on this business is j. Francis.
general passenger agent. of the Burlington
route At Omaha. Properly speaking, Mr..
Francis bears the title only In his connec-
ton with the Burlington & Missouri River
road. which. as everyone knows, is part
or the great Burlington system. Mr.. Fran
cis Is an up-to-date railroad man. He has
charge of the passenger business of the
Burlington route in the West. and of course
viii be expected to look after the travel
that comes West from the Burlington road
and its connections.
Mr.. Francis will arrive here over the
Great Northern on Friday. He Is accom-
panied by General Agent A. C.. Sheldon,
OF the Burlington. of Portland. Or.
w. II. Hurlburt. general agent of the
o. X. 4 n. at Portland. keeps an eye con-
SANITY on this field, of which Seattle is
the center, although well represented by
+. f. Ellis. general agent of the line In
this city.
From every Indication II is plain to see
that the railroads of the country are keep
Ing close tab on Developments in con-
nectlon with next seasons travel West
ward. That this will be the heaviest in
years. induced by the discoveries In Alas
ka and the klondike. is believed by all
railroad men. The passenger depart
ments or the transcontinenzal railroads
have been busy for weeks with circulars,
folders and other printed matter giving
description of the new gold fields and
an outline of the best route TO be follow
ed.
That there will be lively contest for
supremacy In the klondike business Is
very apparent at this date. II all the
FshpirrtSS tfdt are Hlatle ny the Eastern
representatives of the Northern lines are
true. there will be business in plenty for
all of the roads. The general agents of
the Northern Pacific and the Great North
ern are beginning 10 form estimates on
the travel from the far East. Both roads
are doing all they can 10 secure business
Ia order 10 fully understand the sltua-
ton and 10 become better acquainted
with the conditions of railway travel in
the West. Mr. Francis. Mr. Sebastian and
tho ether railway fisnitaries have left
their regular fields In the East TO learn
something OF Seattle and the Klondike
All who have visited this city have
gone away with the impression fixed in
their minds that Seattle had become the
chief city on the North Pacific coast In
a commercial, way and stood I'm posi-
ton 10 control the trade with Alaska
There are other indications pointing to
the probability that this city will be the
railroad center OF the Pacific Northwest
| Induced by the large volume of hsuiness
thar is to- he transacted here. some of the
Eastern and Southern lines having gen.
erai agents in other cities IN the West are
considering moving them 10 Seattle so as
to he In closer touch with affairs. II IL
generally understood I'm railway Circles
that Thomas A. Graham. district paSsen-
ger and freight agent of the Southern Pa
ciflc. Is 10 establish headquarters In Sc
attic early next year.
q. J. Eddy. general passenger agent ~
/ the Chicago. Milwaukee Il ST Paul now
| stationed at Portland. WITH move his Of
| flee 20 Seattle abou; January ! or soon
| thereafter