The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-21

The promoters af the Kettle River prop
ositton are American, the u. e. Eorbsn
syndicate which WAS the pioneer Of rail-
way building IN this part Of Britain Column
bsa. and controls the only means OF access
10 and from the kooteRaI until the Crows
Nest lire is completed Mr.. Corbin's road
the Spokane Falls Il Northern runs north
from Spokane. Wash. 1t connects with
the Great Northern. Union Pacific. North
ern Paeific and generally with the railroad
systems OK tho United States It's con-
nection into Canada Is known as the Nell
son d. Fort Sheppard. which opens UP
rich part OF West kootenai and the Red
mountain from Ncrfnport across the
boundary 10 Rossiand
THE proposed new line 10 the Kettle
river viii make southern outlet 10 the
Boundary creek district, whose rich de-
posts Of copper. gold aud silver have at
tracted the eyes OF shrewd capitalists as
showing mineral wealth equal to- II not
exceeding. the famous country surrounding
Butte, Mont. For the mastery OF the stu
alton in this country the Canadian Pacific
IS Sraining every influence that an In
nnentlai corporation knows SO well how TO
command and apply. The applicants have
shown themselves capable OF putting up
an exceedingly strong case which all but
won for them last session against the Cana
dan Pacific railroad in parliament, where
for many years the influence of the latte
was invariably paramount. Even the min
issry Itself gave on the whole airport 10
the Kettle river bin. although the matter
not being Of government policy. the min
istry was not called upon TO give it's unan-
imons influence IS a body either way.
No subsidy Asked.
Mr.. Corbin's syndicate asks no subsidy
ana has received none on any OF the roads
which IL has constructed In Canadian ter.
r1tory. and Offers the means OF carrying
the ores Of the Boundary creek country
across me boundary for treatment at rea-
senab!a rates and with all due guarantee
: for the protection of Canadian interests
But Il Is juyt here that the Canadian Pa
chic railroad steps in with the argument
that IL Is prepared, and, indeed, engaged
in this very same undertaking, and tina;
the people OF British Columbia want no
trespassing on Canadian territory BY
American companies, and that. In short
the interests Of Canada will be best served
by keeping trade within her own borders
instead of diverting ii into American chan
nels- The argument is one that carries
some weight. although the minister Of
railways has expressed himself as satisfied
that the fullest provision may be made for
Canadian protection and 10 guard against
handing valuable franchises to American
capitalists TO the hurt and prejudice of
Canadian trade. Minister Blair however
is fully convinced of the wisdom of secur-
Ing TO the Grand Trunk system means of
access TO British Columbia. with an oppor-
tunity Of Its thereby afrording competition
against the Canadian Pacific road 10 the
cites OF Eastern Canada. The Canadian
Pacific railroad is alive 10 the Importance
ct the interests which the contest involves
for 1t. and promises. should the application
be sustained through the influence OF the
American transcontinentaf lines, to make
IL hot for the latter by invading their own
territory.
The gold discoveries in the yukon were
the cause OF a host Of applications las,
year for the chartering OF railways from
points on the coast and from British Co.
iumhia to Dawson. Through the special
provision which the administration had
made for the building of line by way of
the Stickeen river. these were all ordered
TO stand over last session, but since the
defeat OF the government In the senate and
the dropping Of the scheme. other concerns
are coming forward with offers to build II
allowed by the Federal authorities 10 do
so. In all some Ave or s.x charters are
sought. generally understood TO be pro-
NOTED by American concerns"