The daily morning Alaskan., 1901-06-20

petition of the lower river Mir. Lee re- hearsed the history of the emergency shipment for the government and the keen struggle for the shipment for Un- cle Sam this year. m both of which the White Pass route came of victorious.
 Continuing. Mir. Lee said: "A care iul comparison of rates to the Yukon points in question via St. Michael and via Skagway would evidence the fact that the merchants purchase on an equal basis with those of Seattle. This being SO Skagway is put on fairly even keel Our part then comes in and there need not be any fear. We may have to put on a special line oi steam CTS from Dawson down the river, which would be chiefly used for freight. but navigation on those waters is easy when compared with the upper river and we can be depended upon to pro vide the facilities for transportation ii the business is in sight. We did it al Dawson and we will do it at Circle "
 Mir. Lee digressed here Co suggest that one or two representatives of the chamber of commerce be sent to the Yukon country at once to study trade conditions there and Co report just as soon as possible. SO that a starter could be made this season. He was very much in earnest on this point and later m the evening. when again referring to it profered the necessary transpor- tation. He pledged the hearty cooper ation of the White Pass route m all ci- forts Co get trade. but thought mer- chants would do. better by branching out into American territory than toI try Co compete with Victoria and Van couyer on the Canadian side.
 In closing. Mir. Lee again touched upon the importance of the Circle country trade. stating that shipments had already been sent m by Portland and Seattle merchants and that rates on machinery were being requested frequently He desired very much that Skagway be made the point for the fur ni,hing oi an things 'Seeded in there. Mir. Lees very able presentation oi the subject was heartily applauded.
 President Woodruff considered the meeting one of the most important ever held by the chamber. and ii the suggestions given by MT. Lee were fol- lowed up great good would insure Co the city.
 Laramie Mayer believed about all the territory left for the sale of goods was on the American side. He thought when sharp competition set m there would be practically no trade with Dawson for Skagway merchants. Ths first condition was Co reach the coW-. try earliest and ii the railroad wcte extended beyond La Barge siX weeks would be added to the open season. There was a big territory and Skagway was the proper point to supply it from.
 Mir. Haradcn believed much trade could be had and it ought to be gone after at once. lt was necessary to go into partnership with the railroad.
 H. O. Peterson questioned Mir Lee about tow tranScontinental rates Co Puget Sound and in reply he said just as advantageous terms could be had as were accorded the lower river corpo- rations on big shipments. Later on he said his company could be relied upon to secure them. Leave the rate to us: we will get it."
 Councilman Guthrie. I. O. Young, J. T. Hayne, J. H. Kelly and others spoke upon various phases of the i'm portant matter Chief Clerk Mac Kay, Mr. Lees assistant, gave some very valuable suggestions
 The question Of the ability to f- nance proposition to establish here immense freight dcpots was frequent ly alluded to. but no tangible scheme was presented until Manager Nourse. of the local branch of the Canadian Bank of Commerce. spoke. He hear tily favored this proposition or any other which would build uD Skagway
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