The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-21
INJURIES AMERICAN TRADE.
Bonding Privilege Through Alaska
Helps Only the Canadian.
sKAowAY's STRONG PROTEST.
Chamber of Commerce Petitions
President Mckinley to Immedi-
ateIy Rescind the Privilege-Can-
ada Has Gained Nearly seventy
Per Cent. of the Yukon Trade
Facts and Figures Presented.

The president of the United states has
been petitioned to Immediately rescind the
bonding privilege on merchandise from
foreign ports through the territory OF
Alaska. The Skagway Chamber OF Com
merce. petitioner. sets forth that the
American goods exported into the British
Northwest from that port, during the
five months ending December j, lsss,
amounted in value TO s75S,s6s less than 81
per cent. OF the value OF all shipments
over White pass. In two years, says
the petitioner, Canada has captured over
81 per cent. of the s. 900. 900 trade of the
Upper Yukon and this percentage is rap
idly increasing
The petition Of the commercial organ
ization of Skagway citizens, copy OF
which has been submitted 10 the Seattle
Chamber of Commerce with a view TO CO.
operative action, enters exhaustively into
the circumstances under which the BOND
ing privilege was conceded by the United
States and gives cogent reasons for Its
withdrawal. 1t is urged that no reason
able necessity ever existed for the is
suance of the privileges. that they have
worked to the detriment of United states
interests, that Canada has not reciprocal
ed in the premises and in such neglect
to reciprocate has forfeited any rights she
might have claimed for the extension of
such courtesies to her.
Advantages Held by Canadians.
In the summer of 1897, as soon as
United States customs officer had been
stationed at Skagway, application was
made to him for the privilege of bonding
goods from that port to Bennett. Il. Z.
Without authority. as the petitioners al
lege. the deputy collector of customs III
Lou Nnrt ,f trttn m
in bond. September IA. 1897. Up. TO that
time the United States had held all the
trade of the Yukon. Since that time
IT has been gradually slipping into
Canadian hands through the advantage
gained in the bonding privilege.
The advantages held by the Canadians,
as enumerated by the Skagway Chamber
of Commerce, are as follows:
First-In the establishment Of Canadian
custom houses, backed by brave show
of mounted police, where all american
valuations. but are subject to delays often
as unreasonable as vexatious.
Secondly the United States treasury
regulation of February 2, 1saS, extending
to Canada the privilege Of bonding goods
at all the ports of Alaska.
Thirdly the extension. by treasury
department instructions. OF the bonding
privilege on perishable goods. dated Aug
ust 10, 1899. An extension for which there
appears to be no warrant In the statutes.
Fourth-By the further concession OF the
which does away with consular certifi-
Gates and allows duties 10 be estimated
instead of computed
Tons of Canadian Merchandise.
While the United States had controlled
the whole trade of the Yukon valley up to
near the close of 1897, under tlese liberal
concessions 1900 tons OF Canadian mer-
chandise passed through Skagway in bond
the year 1899 the value of bonded Foods
passing through that port was s.. 3ol :7ls:
and the actual value for the last half OF
the year 81 si6,sto; making a total for 1899
of s.. ISL $40 which does not include the
value of goods bonded at Dyea.
The value OF American goods ex-
ported into Canada from Skagway. from
July TO December /, 1899. inclusive. was
sT5s,e 6s or less than % per cent OF the
value of shipments over White pass In
two years Canada has captured over 81
per cent. OF the $1,000. 900 trade of the Up
per Yukon, and this percentage is rapidly
increasing.
I'm return for this excessive and I'M
justifable liherality on the part OF the
Canada has not reciprocated In any way.
but in all things. from the passage Of
the Atlin alien law TO the conduct % her
every possible obstacle in the way OF
American citizens and American trade,
Hampered by Restrictions.
I'm regard TO the bonding privilege, IL
was nine months before Canada made any
move 70 put In force reciprocal privileges,
and then they we're hammered with MANY
voxatious restrictions. Her officers would
accept nothing but a cash bond. and tho
right to this was even refused as late as
last winter. Further. the American citi-
zen giving the bond had TO return 10 Daw.
son or to Victoria 10 collect his cash de-
post for the tond.
Canada also refuses 10 allow liquors 20
be bonded under any conditions. while the
Canadians themselves are taking in whole
shinloads OF liquors in bond.
ment sS ot0 at this port for the bonding Of
foreign goods. for which there has been
no return in any way. Up TO June. 1891.
only twelve American shipments had been
bonded through 10 points on the Lower
Yukon.
1T must he borne In mind too. thu.
the bulk Of the goods shipped by canada
are American goods, shipped 10 Victoria
and from there sent IN bond 20 this mort
So that the Canadian commission ln.r-
chant makes a proht and tho Canadian
vessel carrying them here, while the
American merchants and vessels not only
make no profit but are put - considera-
bic loss by reason ~ the bonding privilege
and the unjust competition u enables Can
adams to enter into. our laws enable
American goods 20 he stored IN bonded
warehouses IN Canada and returned free
81 duty. Canadian goods carried In Amer
lean bonded warehouses have go pay duty
upon being returned TO Canada.
NonopeIi,ed by Canada.
I'm many other respects 1r@ the Gus
toms regulations ~ ne two countries et,-
posed 20 any possibility 81 bull ling up an
interior trade At this port. AMI our Cit
Iens. who have large yfsfhf interests
here. have 20 see the trade of the rort
m0noDoiiref hy Canadians on account II
the iil-atvised liberallty % our own gov
eminent"
The petition "a Addressed directly n
the president - the United States arA ia
signed for the Akarwuy Chauhe II Com
werrc. ny l. 4 Keller. president ard &
. Kaufman. sarTotary. Tho cory sent ~
tho Seattle Chamber ~ Commerce. VS.
read % tho meeting ~ that body vester
dav md referred 70 the committee on
Alaskan affairs.
To Entertain state Bar.
Extensive preparations are being MADE
fnr fse entertainment - the State psr
Association. which holds its annual con
ventiCr "a this -itv July 80. continuing In
session three AaFs. The chairman ~ ea~b