The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-03
Burlington Stakeholder Says That
Road Must Come Here.
SEEKING THE ALASKA TRADE
l.. C. Grant Believes Conditions In
That Territory Can for . Dele
gate 10 Congress-Amendme of
Laws Needed-Canadian Bending
Privileges Shame-skngwny
Merchants Want Equal Rights.

Among the Eastern visitors arriving in
the city yesterday from a sojourn In the
far North, was L. G. Grant, capitalist.
OF New York, and one OF the heaviest
stockholders in the Burlington railroad.
He came West. he saws. to escape the
heated summer months in the East. and
win return home by way of San Fran
cisco.
This. IS my first trip to Alaska" he
have never seen anything so grand be-
fore In all my life as the scenery to be
found there Persons who make a long
mistake for right in our own country
are there much grander sights.
There. has been much talk about the
not believe It will be for some time yet.
We are gradually pushing line west.
ward. and 1t IS my belief that we viii
reach sas this teTr tory, IN that way When
other available port on Puget sound
will be the Coast terminal.
This city. by all odds. is the most ma
tural terminal for all lines that wish to
come to the Pacific coast. In fact, un-
less conditions change, there is no other
city in the Northwest where any line
would be willing to invest money In
terminal properties
Port Angeles Eastern Road.
1T have heard the report since
came to the Coast that the Burlington
was. behind the Port Angeles Eastern
pleted. would practically belong TO the
burlington or this l know nothing. 1t
Is true that some Burlington stockhold-
ers are interested In the Port Angeles
line but that does not necessarily mean
their interests control IT,
There Is this TO be sead. hows~er. that
next to Seattle. in my opinion. Port
Angeles offers the best terminal grounds
In the Northwest
1T Is true that the Burlington inter-
n Aassa The aea Se ROAD
has Is that year by year the business
Of Alaska will increase. until within itself
i VIII form an important part OF the
trade win always be with Seattle, and.
therefore. the road that Is able to handle
the business. as an initial line, viii be
u u t. { position to care for a good share
However. do not think II is the
intention OF the Burlington to do any
thing toward utilizing Its Alaska right
of-way until after II has reached the
Northwest Pacific coast either by its own
tracks or more permanent traffic ar
rangement than II has at the present
time. Then II IL not at all improbable
that the Alaska line will be built and
a steamer line established connecting the
This, of course. IL problematic, as. so
far as ] am aware. plans have not yet
been decided upon
Needed Alaskan Reforms.
Tn the growth into a great CONNER
cial city Of Seattle. the Alaska district
win contribute large share, and for
that reason Washington and your con-
gressional delegation. should leave no
stone unturned 10 add TO their interests.
The present laws In Alaska need much
amending. and no time should be lost In
getting this done.
The FIRST step In this direction should
he delegate to congress. II Is no
argument TO say that such a thing has
never been done before nor that the
expense will be too great. The condi-
lions existing throughout Alaska. which
are wholly different from any other part
Of the United States, warrant con-
gressionai delegate, II for no other rea-
son than TO aid and facilitate needed
reforms. They will then be accomplished
much more quickly and you need have
no fear regarding expense. The people
there are willing to pay Il. and their de-
mands should be listened TO.
There Is much talk In Skagway re-
garding the Canadian bonding privileges
Here. again the need OF congressional
representation liz felt. II IS a burning
shame 10 allow the conditions that work
to the detriment Of American commerce
at that port, II IL not necessary TO aboi-
ish the bonding privileges. The merchants
Of Skagway do not ask that. All they
petition this government to do r. to SO
modify the laws so Ms to give 10 Ca
nadians only the same privileges the
Canadian laws extend to Americans
They want show 90 do business,
which at the present time they are not