The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-26

Business All Lines interested.
Local railroad men are looking for one
or the hardest rate wars that ever affected
the West to begin soon after the rush to
the Coast OF Nome prospectors starts in
the spring. The roads are held to be moro
uneasy than they have been In years dur
Ing period Of apparent quiet The war
of last fall, which Is considered only
little furry in comparison with this great
conflict to come, was enough to get all the
Western roads in a condition Of unrest,
and ever since It's formal settlement with
the meeting Of local railroaders In Port
land last month there has been jealous
watchfulness that augurs III for permanent
peace.
This trouble was participated in by only
the Great Northern, Northern Pacific.
Canadian Pacific and Oregon Railroad &
Navigation. with the last three. ostensiby
at least, following the alleged leadership
OF the Great Northern; but the westbound
traffic Of the coming. season, when thou
sands Of men are expected to be drawn
hence to the new gold fields Of Alaska,
will have direct bearing to a greater or
lesser extent on every Eastern connection
Of a transcontinentai line, and Is, there
fore, expected to draw nearly all Of them
into the prophesied whirlpool.
The leaders in this enterprise are, OF
tai roads Connected with the last cutting
dispute, as they are the ones primarily
affected by great Westward travel: but
have an appreciable share in It, and will,
therefore, also probably be directly con-
cerned In any reductions In rates that may
be inaugurated.
Such rate war would have no direct
bearing on the local railroad offices. and
could in no event be effective on eastbound
e Suk 81 e tnae he
states to Seattle, and would, therefore, be
under tho direct management OF the gen
eral Offices OF the different lines THIS
trouble all the more serious and lasting. as
such disputes are known to be fiercer
domination or recommended procedure OF
general agencies or other representatives
at considerable distance from headquar-
tiers.
Canadian Lines Interest.
The Canadian Pacific did not take any
more direct part in the last rate war than
that of a follower. preferring to go along
sdve line line or lines, neither did the Oregon
Railroad & Navigation; but In such a war
as this predicted the interests would be SO
take a secondary position, and they would.
therefore, all be leaders and naturally take
a heavy hand in the cuts that are expected
to be made. The Canadian has long had
sore feelings toward its American COM
petitors, and Is eagerly awaiting an oppoc-
tunity to get even. BY virtue Of having
a through. transcontinental line Of its own,
running from Newport, VT, or Montreal
to Seattle, with such direct connections to
New York and Boston as to make 1t prac-l
tically single line, i possesses some ad,
vantages over the other lines that would
stand 1t in valuable stead in general dis
pute.
full Of objections to the plan that has
been followed in the past OF giving them
no discretion in administering the railroad
procedure when. var was on, and say
have little executive power In past
troubles when they were on the ground
and could appreciate the value OF immedi-
communicate with the Eastern offices at
serious delay whenever an application for
twenty or 50 tickets was made ri the road
therefore. apart from their personal con-
Germ In the welfare of the line. somewhat
gratified over the prospect Of the general
offices having war thrust into their
own territory
There has never been a fiux of people
in the country that has attracted more in
terest among the railroads than this pros
pectjve rush to Nome. They have been
making great preparations for the last
months Of fall and this far during the
winter to handle tg sending out masses OF
matter advertising the auriferous wonders
| of the new diggings, and those having
terminal facilities here, or traffic arrange.
ments with roads leading to Seattle add
data showing that this Is the hest place
to outfit and from which to start for the
| North The Great Northern only recent)y
! sent circular letters to all It's Eastern
| agents and representatives notifying them
| to be on the lookout for. Nome business
| and to get all of 1t possible. At the same
| time literature was sent to be given 10
| prospective, passengers. Other roads have
| done the same. and many OF them have
! special agents In the field drumming up
| trade so that when 1t is. time to move the
| people they will have large share OF the
| business.
| All this commotion displays in some de-
| gree the wide, interest on the part OF the
| railroads In the coming exodus Of people
| from the Eastern states to Nome, and an
| there is considerable rivalry. In the adver.
| will be still more when the traffic is In
| evidence, and that rate war can scarcely
| be avoided. 1t is said that some OF the
| sumption that there will be a war, and are
| accordingly making special offers to large
| parties contemplating the change of habi-
! tation. a.
| Ii is not considered likely that there VIII
| be any change in the plan carried. out dur.
| Ing the last year to get homeseekers intp
| Washington, but that the special rate Of
| $25 from st. Paul will obtain through the
! approaching season. This will not, how
Alaska. unless the rate for the latter
| should be made lower than ss5. 1t is, how
| ever, probable that this SIS second-class
| fare Will be made generally applicable on
| all trains, instead Of on only homeseekers
| excursions at bi-weekly intervals. as was
| the plan last spring If this is the case
| there cannot be further cutting without
| affecting the whole rate system OF roads
| handling business to the Western part Of
| the country There was considerable OBJ
| lection on the part of participating
| lines last summer over this colonist rate,
and there cannot be more without all Of
them taking part; and thereby rates would