The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-03-31
pREsIpnNr MELLEN Ar rAcoMA.
Tuesdays Ledger:

Tuesdays Ledger;
President c. g. Meilen, Of the Northern
Pacific, spent yesterday Ia Tacoma, ac-
companled by Mrs. Meiien. her friend,
Miss Raymond, Of 81. Paul. and II. a.
Fabian, his private secretary. Ho spent
most 0f the day IN conference With the
local attorneys Of tho railway over the
'f'acomG Land compaDy's affairs, and IN
the evening was closeted with Thomas
Cooper. the ASSISTANT Northern Pacific
land commissioner. Waiter Ookes. pres
iGent Of the Alaska Steamship Company;
ana u. r. Bush. Of the Northern Pacinc
Goa, Company.
The party came direct from st. Paul in
u special ana proceeded 10 Portland last
night II u supposed that the Tacoma
land Company affair was the chief Oh.
ject Of President Msllens visit at his
time
In conversation with the editor Of The
Ledger. President Mellen said:
"Hararding plans for improvements IN
Tac0ma. there n 10 BE- said that the
condition Of the affairs Of the Tacoma
Land Company is such that the Increase
of facilities desired by the Northern Pa.
clnc s impraciicable ~ Accomplishment.
and until the rcccyerBhip of the land
company n terminated and the property
turned over 70 the rsOrganlzed company
there II littie opportunity for the railway
company 70 do more than prepare plans
for the future
There are increased docks and ware
house facilities badly needed for the bus
ineSs seeking czport at Tacoma, and the
railway company II prepared @ spend
the nccegHary money 10 provide these
facilities once the affairs Of the land
company are In such shape that the ad-
fiii0Hsi is65 csH 5s secured.
The Asiatlc business needs increased
facilities and these the company has IN
mind "a furnish at the earliest oppOrtu-
nifty
"Ths construction OF additional lines
thus far authorized. within The state.
cots'stg Of cutoff from Palmer 10 the
line between Tacoma and Seattle. closely
following the course Of the Green river
TO a point between the stations o. Kent
an1 Aubury. This line Il Of easier grades
than the present main line and while not
materially shortening the distance 10 Ia
coma. vii make line about twenty-five
miles shorter than the existing one 70
Seattle.
THE absence Of restrictive legislation
directed against railroads. as result Of
the resent fession OF the legislature. has
encouraged the capital invested In the
Northern Pacific TO more liberal expendl
lures within the state and plans are be-
Ing prepared for extensions OF lines In
eastern Washington which viii. we think
be an important element IN the develop
nent OF that section OF the state.
Il have been much gratifed by the eyi-
iences OF prosperity l have seen ever
where In my trip over the company's
ines, and particularly In this vicinity.
md believe with the reorganization OF 4
he affairs Of the Land COMPANY. ihirgs I
Rlll be In better shape In Tacoma than F.
'or many years back and while / do not .
ook for a return OF the boom times l
10 feel that the immediate future Is one
II great promise, and particularly to the
'ity % Tacoma and everything the
Northern Pacific railway can do 10 en-
.ourage and build up the city viii be
lone. both in improved service and in I.
.reased facilities.
I'VE are particularly well pleased with
he patronage our Increased train service
las received. which gives US encourage
'ent to increase our efforts in other d.
ectIons for the benefit Of this eommu-
iity in which we are so greatly inter-
sted"