The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-04

| President James J. Hill, Of the Great
Northern Railway company, is expect
ed home tonight, from his recent trip
to the Pacific coast. While in Seattle he
was interviewed by Post Intelligencer
| reporter, regarding the objects Of his
visit. In the interview Mr. Hill is
quoted as having said:
Il am in Seattle purely on business
pertaining to the Great Northern rail-
| road, and l expect to remain here for
| at least two or three days, as matters,
Which will enable us to handle freight
| In more speedy manner must be at
| tended to. 1t is a problem which now
confronts us, and one which must be
| solved. l am here to see what can be
| done and | have looked the ground
| over and given the question considera-
ton. The Great Northern railroad must
have more room in which to handle
cars, and it is our intention to secure
such additional room as may be neces-
sary. Seattle is growing every day
and it has now reached such a point
That all the business is crowded and
punched within three or four squares.
1t will be necessary to spread out and
extend the precincts Of the city if it is
desired to have the growth continue
along the same line. The Great North
ern must also have more room in which
" Aiel1iolC IllS CctI dS We CttlL ctlLOIu
to lose so much money by days Of delay
in consequence Of inadequate yard
room. The manner in which this diff
Guilty may be overcome remains for the
future to determine.
''The company has also decided to
build large grain elevator on the Pa
cific coast and we would like to locate
it in Seattle. Whether Seattle will Sc
cure this elevator depends entirely upon
the success we have in securing room
for it. 1 think the time has arrived
when THE business precincts must be
extended, so that business would not be
| carried on in such cramped manner"
According to the statements of the
Post-Intelligencer, the Great Northern
| petitioned the council to vacate that
portion of the western end Of Mercer
street, which is located on the tide
| lands, so that room would be afforded
| for the construction of a wharf and
warehouse, and if the petition is grant
ed, it is very probable that work on
| the Improvement would commence at
once. The Great Northern has already
| acquired three blocks of tide lands and
| that portion of Mercer street which the
| company desires to have vacated lies
| between two of them, and is, literally
| speaking, connecting link. If the
| council desires to vacate the street,
| work on the erection of the dock and
f! warehouse will be commenced at once.
| Mr.. Hill was asked for his opinion on
| the volume of trade that would be car
! ried on in the future between Seattle
| and the Orient, and he said:
| "You furnish the ships and just as
| soon as the ships are at the command
| of the shippers the trade will increase.
| The increase in the Oriental CONNER
cial trade is therefore very slow in in
| creaSing, and I don't look for much of
| an Improvement until such time that
congress makes provisions for the es-
| tablishment Of a merchant marine
When asked whether, in his opinion,
| congress would take any steps looking
| toward the establishment Of a mer-
| chant marine, Mr.. Hill said:
| +"That is a hard question to answer,
(! but, if I was a wheat grower east of
i the mountains, I would not support a
| candidate for congress who would not
| make a pledge to support such a meas
ure. It is hard matter to say what
congress will do, as it seems that the
4 congressman devote all their time while
| in Washington to being reelected"
Mr.. Hill did not offer an opinion on
/ the effect that the war would have
on the trade Of the United States with
| the Orient, but said ne would be in
| a position to offer a more intelligent
view at the cessation of hostilities.