Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-12

been almost without rain. only a few
slight showers having been reportetl
along the coast and In the mountain
districts OF the western portions of the
state, The weekly deficiency In all
portions of the state EQUALS the nor
NAL rainfall. The wheat crop Is u
failure In the principal grain sections
of the state. A small amount of wheat
VIII be harvested on irrigated land and
summer fallow in foothlll sections.
Some elsewhere Will be cut as hay.
Feed Is schnty. Haying is in prog
ress in many sections. Both hay ana
alfalfa are light crops. In the fruit
orchards irrigation Is in full operation.
and where trees cannot be reached by
irrigation bitches, the orchardists are
hauling water.
The quota of California volunteers is
now complete. The two battalions
were mustered into service Wednesday
morning and are now stationed at the
Preside and the artillery battalion
went into camp near Fort Mason. The
work of supplying the soldiers with
ly as possible. but owing to the large
number of men to be QUILTED this
work will not be completed for some
days. but II IL evident by the rush or
ders received Wednesday from Wash
ington that the government is anxious
moments notice. The order from
Washington directing that the
Charleston proceed to sea at once has
changed the plans regarding the de-
parture of the troops for Manila. In
stead OF being conveyed by the
Charleston the City OF Picking and
Australia will proceed unprotected by
a warship, but 1t Is stated unotficially
that the City of Sydney and other
transports which are to sail later will
be looked after by the Philadelphia,
which is being prepared for service as
inpidly as possible. The transports
will call at Honolulu to coal and take
on fresh supplies. The government in
spector spent much of Wednesday in
looking over the steamers Ohio and
Conemaugh in anticipation of their
charter by the government. The Ves-
sells are owned by the International
Steamship company OF Philadelphia
and negotiations for their charter are
proceeding in the East. Nothing can
be learned as to the intentions OF the
government whether the vessels will
be used for transporting men or sup
plies for the fleet at Manila.
The Alaska Traffic association was
formed in Seattle Wash, Wednesday
night for the purpose of controlling
rates from Pacific coast points to
points on the Yukon river. All the
prlnclpal transportation companies OF
Seattle. San Francisco. Vancouver, and
Portland were either represented at tho
meeting or have agreed to abide by IT,,
decision. There Is to be no more rate
cutting to Yukon river points, and the
association has found clever way of
managing the matter. rate of Sob
from ST. Michael to Dawson is to be
established. The rate from Seattle
and other coast points to Dawson was
made 5000 for first-class accommoda>
lions on the larger steamers, The sec
ond class rate was placed Mt $3.50. 1t
makes no difference to the association
II the tramp vessels make a $40 rate
to st. Michaels. The prosp.ctors will
have to pay as much to get from the
mouth of the Yukon TO Dawson as he
would from Seattle. The freight rate
decided on was so per hundred from
Seattle to Dawson. a committee was
appointed to decide on rates to be
by steam schooners and sail
ing vessels. The Alaska Commercial
was one of the large com
panies not represented. but they have
1t is said, agreed to abide by the ac-
ton of the other transportation men.
The Boston and Alaska company. Seat |
tie and Yukon Steamship company,
Navigation company empire |
line, and North American Transports
ton and Trading company. are In the |
steamers. In fact, all companies hav-
ing river steamers are either in the
or will agree to its rates.