The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-15

IN HI inc K0C1E04 Oh Tdu tTbnSPSs .1tA>S''
ii THIS state, there never has been
months business like that transacted by
the transc0ntinental railroad companies
during the month Of October last. Ac-
cording to the figures prepared by the
local representatives OF the various lines.
the October business touched the very
apex in volume of traffic. The aggregate
amount OF business done by the various
lines In and out Of Seattle was not far
short OF 100000.
In respect TO rail traffic both freight
and passenger Seattle stands without a
peer among all Western cities. as indeed
she does in every other respect. The rail-
road record in Seattle Is in keeping with
the truly marvellous progress that has
been made here in population and In the
development and growth Of all lines OF
business. Today Seattle il first among
al the stations Of the Great Northern
and Northern Pacific in amount Of freight
and passenger business transacted. 1t.
Paul. Minneapolis, Portland and the other
large cities on the limo OF the Northern
Pacific ana Great Northern are second
to Seattle IN amount OF traffic for the
month Of October.
1t 10 not difficult to realize tho enor-
NOUS eignifcance Of this statement. Be
cause Of the facts recited. the great
transcontinontal hnes Nare looking to-
ward Seattle with hungry eyes. aEAious
Holt bay. 1t II we'll understood among
railroad men. both East and West that
becauAe Of the immense volume Of busi-
ness done by the railroad companies in
Seattle. there is likely to be q lively RI
talry between the transcontinental lines
which have no terminals here as to which
shall be the first to reach Seattle.
Evidence Of tho tremendous traffic on
rail lines in Seattle Is afforded on Rail-
road avenue, at the freight terminals OF
the Northern Pacific and the Great
Northern. There are today over 800 cars
Of freight in the Seattle yards Of the
Northern Pacific, while between this city
and Eilsnsburg. the end Of the Pacific
division. there are between 500 and 600
cars fully loaded which are being held
Until room ID made for them in the local
yards.
One 81 the causes for the plethora Of
carload freight IN Seattle II the shortage
Of deep-sea tonnage There are many
cars loaded with wheat scattered over
sidetracks between Seattle and Ellens-
burx awaiting shipment from this city.
wheat tonnage II very scarce. however.
and the local warehouses are practically
full.
'October saw the high-water mark in
transportation in and out Of Seattle"
said General Agent Nadeau. OF the North
ern Pacific. yesterday. "'rhere Il no par
altrt III al tho HHn0t8 Oh railway lf803-
p0rtattsn In this state for last months
busine~S Seattle led every city on the
lins AZ the Northern Pacific in volume
Of business transacted"
J. w. Blabon. Western freight manager
for the Great Northern. said: "Our Octo-
bsr business was extremely gratifying.
do not wish to give any figures Bust
ness has been very good with us for
some time. and there IL no apparent In
dicatfOn Of \ falling of
II II understood that the Great North
arms Seattle business aggregated In vol
ums nearly to6o.ooc during October.
The fact Of the matter IL that the trans
continental companies are now figuring
on tho trasfic In the West. and particu-
larry In Washington, 20 recoup them for
their losses Of revenue IN Minnesota and
the Dakotas. due TO the shortage OF the
wheat crop. Washington is blessed with
. full crop aud tho tide OF business to-
wards The Pacific Is ever growing IN vol
nms. President c. g. Melien. OF the
Northern Pacific. in his annual report to
the board OF directors. dated June 90, said
that the prospects for business for the
coming year were not bright In Mani
tcba. North Dakota and Minnesota.
nut" he added the business conditions
upon tho Western portion Of the system
are 80 GOOD that we trust this loss may
h. offset to a considerable extent
Tus IN the teelihx among all railroad
men operating transoontinental lines 10
the North Pacific coast. ConditionA.to-
day are exactly the reverse Of those Of
four years ago. Then the lines in tho
West were operated with little or no
proht. and tho East was depended ripon
70 furnish the annual balance on the right
eidc OF the ledger. Today the roads arc
making more money from Western freight
and passenger business than ever before
In their history.