The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-18

various steamboat lines 10 have greatly
improved facilities on the upper lakes and
Yukon, with an especial view to handling
Allie trade, which may result in a seri-
Gus competition with the trail promoters.
One concern Is already said to he about
10 place contracts for three new vessels
Of the highest improved pattern, to engage
in this business. one Of them on Lake At
lin. another on the upper lakes and a
third between the lakes and Taku City.
Others are arranging for better facii-
ties between the lakes and Dawson. There
was also a recent run.or of winter trail
for sled and express use frol:l the lakes to
Dawson. but this seems 20 have failed to
materalize. There are, however, many
schemes afioat for facilitating winter CON-
munication with the Klondike notable OF
which is the relay postal and express ser
vice of the Canadian government. which
will have posts every thirty miles. as soon
as the Yukon is frozen soIldly enough TO
travel.
Alaskan commerce by way OF St. Mich
ael seems TO have become restricted TO that
no farther I'D the Yukon than the mouth
OF the Tanana river at Weare. as the
route through Lynn canal will probably
handle all interior points above there. But
the Tanana and Koyukuk trade. for the
coming season. AT least, will doubtless
prove a profitable business for steamer
companies with the Goloyin forming a
heavy adjunct.
Although there will be no greater com
petition to St Michael than last year rates
must drop TO a fair comparison with those
charged from the SkagwayDyea lakes TO
lower Yukon points, to control any OF the
business Freight 30 ST. Michael last sum
mer brought $50 a ton carriage, some Of
fering as low as so; and passengers paid
from So to $50. Through to Dawson the
charges were $40 to 500 for passengers.
and $3.50 TO 500 Ton for freight. These
days of high charges are over. and even
the steamship companies do not expect 10
get more than So 10 ST. Michael and SIS
10 Dawson for freight and sl01 10 $50 Cares
20 ST. Michael, the koyukuk or the ia
mana.
An Indication OF the interest In this out
side route Is shown by the North Ameri-
can Transportation & Trading Company
which has just decided 10 handle public
freight This Is a new departure for that
company. as 1t heretofore has not carried
a pound Of goods for anybody except itself
The Roanoke Will run between here and St
Michael four times each year. sailing from
Seattle June TO- July -, August y and
September -
Some of The most extensive transporta-
ton lines will make additions and inn
provements in their river fleets, with the
intention Of holding the traffic at both
ends The Alaska Exploration Company.
with The Rothsch4l3s hack of f. will de-
velop in this direction, and the y \. T &
r is considering the ACCESSIBILITY Of put
ting on a couple OF fine steamboats, be
tween Dawson and White Horse. II this
project materiaIizes. a steamer win be put
on 80 run between here and SkaFway. and
Il aiil give the company a continuous ser
vice from Seattle TO and down the full
length of the Yukon 20 s.. Michael and
bark by the ocean route. distance OF
nearly $500 miles, without break except
III la mites from Skagw8y 80 White
Horse.