The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-22

Longstrees, commissioner Of railroads, In
his annual report. calls attention to the
general prosperity In railroad affairs. and
recommends government construction ard
operation Of tirst-ciass double-track rail-
way from Kansas CITY. Mo-, TO San Diego.
Cal, by an air line route. He says the
physical condition Of railroads generally
is better than ever before.
He points TO the spectacle Of roais which
only two or three years ago were in re-
eeivers hands now paying dividends on
their preferred stock and p.ling up sur
piuses. In April 1894. receivers controlled
in this country 30 roads. embracing 20 per
cent. OF the total mileage of the United
States. On June 50 of this year there
were only 1l9 railroads in the hands Of
receivers.
Reporting on his inspection OF the prop
critics of the Union Pacific and Central Pa
ctfc and several OF the land grant lines
in the West and on the Pacific slope. the
commissioner says substantial improve
ments have been made in the roalbed on
the main lines. wooded bridges replaced by
iron and Steel and the baliasting is more
extensive and much improved.
He recopmends a government air line
guage:
The annexation OF the Hawaiian islands
the possible contro! OF the Philippine and
I.adrone slands-must open new trade
relations of such growing proportions with
them as TO materially increase the busi-
ness of all the bond-aided roads as to be well
within the scope Of reason to anticipate
their ability, at an early date. to pay prin-
# tbetr lob fk rNsS-
cd States.
Under, the new order of things in these
Islands every effort will be made TO encour-
age trade with Us. and when the popua
ton is doubled n numbers and Is increased
ten times In ability 10 produce and con-
sumo. which Is not an unreasonable an
slcipation. what then. will our trade
amount 10? 1t is almost impossible to
imagine.
Furthermore. the vas. volume OF wheat
and other cereals which now find their way
from the Middle Western grain prairies 10
Asia and other countries Of the Eastern
hemisphere via the Atlantic seapor.s will.
I'm few years. reach these same destina-
tions via Pacific seaports. and with this
changed condition will come vastly increas-
Ell tonnage and revenues 10 all the trans
continental lines.
The diversion OF this very traffic and
this idea Is now receiving the careful at
tention and considera .lon OF the executive
and managing officials OF some OF the lead
ing lines between Chicago, st. Paul and
other Middle Western grain centers and
! the Pacific slope, and therefore II seems TO
/ ne the interest the United States has in
| hond-aiied roads. and especially the Central
4
| have every reason to look for repaymen, Of
! dollar for dallar. principal and Interest.
| loaned ard advanced by the government
| originally 70 these corporations.
1T may be timely Just now 10 suggest
| that the government construct ard operate
I a arst-class double track rou;e from Kan
/ Sas 70 san Diego by Air hne route This
| will onen tae shortest line measured BY the
| map from Boston. New York ard PAiladel-
| phla 10 the coast and along the coal fields
| OF tire east and west this side IF the Rocky
| mountains. ana making the mest d.rec; line
| 20 he Sandwich Islands and the pAilip-
/ pines
| This. with other lines tow working over
! lard. may prove ample for the wants ot
| commerce 20 the Pacific coast and the ORR
| eu:. holding trade and travel within our
| borders pending the experiment Of 4 canal
/ through the isthmus.
| An overland route from Vera cruz Mex
! $50. 10 Acapulco. now approaching compile
| tlan. nay he an tmportan; adjunct 10 our
/ own overland routes as commerce IN
I creases.
/ The home advantages - A. overland
| l.-e by he government wlll te Ia draw the
! people nearer together IN interests ard sym
/ pathy aad w5ll serve taen as a safeguard
/ against the monopoly of corporations
"As trade increases IL may de-
/ veiop the Importance of a dt-
/ rect similar line TO seattle.
| Wash"
TIE repo~t says of ths Cri.FG States sub
s.1y bonds under The acts * ISs2 and Isss
| % ald the Pacific raIlroaa construction.
| there have naa,uret S5asis 5se. q. wa.rh xD.-
/ fsa s52 have been redeemed zod PAID out o..
! tae treasury. leaving stl1 due and unpaid
/ So gs9
/ Tar remaining bonds e tails issue tau due
/ IS fellows
/ Union Paclsc-Ja-ua-y !. +s2s ssfE-. as.a.
Central PgcIac--January /. fses. s. ~ go
| Western Paca3c-Jaaua-y /. Isss. s.. Sd. s.ss
| Collector for Southern Oregon
! WASHINGTON New @t~'rae president
/ has apro1te5 john Morgan collector OF