The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-17

The announcement made by p. B. Corn
wall OF the Bellingham Bay & British
Columbia railway, that ne has made
close traffic arrangement with the Cana
dian Pacific railway 90 operate trains
over his line, according to local railway
officials who have been in touch with the
matter, is not OF so much moment as the
statement would indicate. While it is
true the Canadian Pacific has entered
into the agreement for a good mileage
rate, II Is for freight business only. The
passenger trains of the Canadian line
Will not be put on the run. In the details
of the agreement the Northern Pacifc's
representatives who were present had
much to say, according to the terms Of
the traffic arrangement of that line over
the Bellingham Bay road.
For a year past IL has been a question
much talked of in railroad circles as to
when the Canadian Pacific traffic agree
ment with the Seattle & International
would expire. The officials of the latter
road have refused TO make any state
ment, but upon the authority of an off,
cial who has had much to do with the
two roads, and who mas been in close
touch with the details. it can be positive
ly stated that the agreement does not
expire until year from this approaching
fall. With this agreemen, I'm force, II is
said. the passenger business of the Cana
dian Pacific this side of the boundary
line will be done over the road permit
ting 1t TO reach the center OF trade.
For long time past the Canadian Pa
cifc has been handling much freight,
principally ore for the Belingham bay
district. good portion of 1t comes from
the kootenay, SLOGAN and other British
Columbia points, and WIS shipped to the
Everett smelter. The charges on
the short line made the business not
profitable. For that reason the Canadian
Pacific sought to perfect a traffic ar
rangement whereby II would be able to
Increase this tonnage and offer better
advantages to shippers or ore who are
now sending their product to Spokane and
other southern smelters. For this bust
ness alone, 1t is officially stated, the traf-
fic deal with the Bellngham Bay & Brit
ish Columbia line was made.
The perfecting of this agreement. It is
stated will be the means of transferring
a good share of the trade from the Great
Northern to the Canadian Pacific. 1t will
give to the latter shipments of ore for
the Pacific coast smelters that have here
tofore been handled over the Spokane e.
Northern. a branch of the Great North
ern.
The statement made by General Man.
ager L. 8. Miller OF the Seattle a Inter
national. in yesterdays Post-Inteligen-
GER, to the effect that the Northern Pa
cihc has never been a factor to keep the
Canadian Pacific out of the Bellineham
bay district, Is characterized by those
familiar with the matter as true. The
only opposition offered to the consumma-
ton of the agreement, IL is stated, was
by the Great Northern. Even this line.
however. was not In the field as a pur-
chaser of the short line, but more to pre-
vent the contamination of certain track
privileges that might otherwise have been
Incorporated.
Beginning June I. or soon thereafter -
said an official yesterday. who has been
associated with the deal. the Canadian
Pacific will commence operating freight
trains over the Bellinsham nay X British
Columbia railway. There Is large
amount Of freight business there that the
road has been obliged to pay heavy
track charge on. and to do away with
this expense a close traffic arrangement
has been made, II Is not the intention of
the Canadian Pacific to ran passenger
trains over the line. as fits arrangement
with the Seattle a International does not
expire for eighteen months yet. It's pas
senger trains will be operated as usual
to Seattle, while new freight business.
principally ore, will ne created IN the
Beilingham bay territory