The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-12

D. c. Corbin, president OF the Spokane
Falls & Northern railroad. was in the
city yesterday. The road runs POO miles
from Spokane to Nelson. on Kootenay
lake, with a branch from Northport 10
Rossiand. This branch, seventeen miles
in length, was completed and operating
commenced on December ~. As the only
railroad running into the now famous
Trail Greek mining district. upon II will
fan the heavy traffic predicted FOR next
spring. The branch crosses the Columbia
river az one point and a steel bridge, 200
feet long. is now being constructed. I'm
til il is finished the ferry VIII be used.
THE road has been doing a good bust
ness" said Mr.. Corbin yesterday at the
Northern hotel Considerable ore is
brought by steamers from kaslo 70 Ne.-
son, where 1t is put on the cars. There IS
a possibility that / may extend the present
branch from Rossland on TO Kettle river
and what is known as the Boundary Creek
country. This is as yet undecided.
We are running one train daily to Ross
land and are In a position to handle 80
tons Of ore per day. A great rush is ex-
pected in the early spring. Ross.and is
now known not Only in this country. but
in England and Canada. Considerable
Canadian capital is now interested. The
town has grown with wonderful rapidity.
There are fully $3.50 or 5000 inhabitants
stood"
Mr. Corbin left last night for Victoria,
B. c.. where he viii be fer a few days.
Just before Mr.. Corbin left Spokane he
was interviewed by a Chronicle man on
the bill TO be presented to the legislature
regulating fares and freight charges by
the railroads of this state. Mr.. Corbin
said:
II cannot for a moment believe that
the legislature viii enact any measure
that will tend to stife the growing pros
perity OF the state of Washington, by
passing such a bill will work a hard
ship on the state roads. l think the leg
islature before voting TO pass any bill on
the question will first make certain that
ii Is an equitable measure-One under
which all railroads of the state can be
operated successfully.
THE so-called Helm bill. as now draft
ed, / believe contemplated reduction
alike in the transeontinental lines and
the branch roads operated independent OF
the main lines Such legislation l do not
believe Will be enacted by the coming
legislature. II il is, il would simply mean
that the roads operated exclusively within
the state would be legislated into bank
ruptcy. for the moment the proposed re-
auctions were put into force the trans
continental lines would proceed TO make
the state roads bear the burden OF the
loss by abrogating the present arbitrary
rates for the interchange of business be-
tween the main lines and the Independent
branch roads in the state and compel
us to pay actual mileage on all business
10 terminals.
81 think the legislature should let the To-
cal branch roads alone for the present,
and as a good illustration why ! viii call
your attention to the fact that outside or
the Spokane Falls & Northern every other
road in the state that has for its territory
limits within the state from which to draw
its business has been bankrupt and some
are now being operated by the courts.
Had II not been for the loyalty of the
friends Of the Spokane q Northern ana
very good fortune in borrowing the neces-
sary money this road would also long ago
have gone into bankruptcy. For the first
four years that the road was In operation,
or from August, 1889 until January !. 1894,
the earnings of the Spokane g. Northern
fell behind in operating and other ex-
penses and In interest on the bonded in
debtedness, just $4,000, Had ! not been
able 70 raise this money the road must
have gone into bankruptcy. During this
time also the road was operated with the
very strictest economy. and l can assure
YOU that in its construction there was no
steal going on and no money wasted
which / think Is evidenced when l state
that il is only bonded a $4,000 per mile.
Another thing the legislature should
consider Is that any adverse legislation
against the state. roads at this time will
effectuaily put an end 10 any proposed ex-
tensions of these roads now contemplated
within the state. Up to this time not one
of the branch lines has paid a cent to the
bondholders. and at a time when there Is
prospect that by the building OF
extensions there is chance OF
the holders OF these bonds 20 get
a little interest on their money 1t would
seem 70 me 10 be an unwise move on the
mart az the legislature to step in and enact
n law that would tend 10 retard the deve'-
opTent OF the community. and | don't
think II Will No. ! shall not go 20 Oym-
MIA. am no lobbyist nor have any
money to waste for any such purpose.
do not consider that / could accomplish
any good by going and VIII remain here,
trusting that the legislature viii DO what
is right and just.