The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-07-17
NOT AIDED BY DISCRIMINATION
Seattle PoSt-Intelligencer.


Seattle Post -Intelligencer.
The recent discussion Of the disad-
vantages OF Portland as a port of de-
parture for deep water shipping hes
brough, out the fact that The city has
been favored by transportation lines to
a degree almoS; incredible 10 people resi-
dent in a state where all shipping points
are on terms ot absolute equality. The
transportation lines which reach Port
land have done everything in their
power to force business Of all kinds to
center in that city. It seems that not
only are common-polnt rates from out
side points denied to every other town
or city on the Lower Columbia, but they
are also denied every manufacturer who
does not locate his plant in Portland.
Every sawmill or shingle mill which
seeks to do a rail business Is compelled
10 oav local rates to Portland On his
product. in addition TO the through rate
TO the market where he sells his pro
duct. Portland is the only common
point on the Columbia or Willamette
waterway system; the only place which
IL the ansportation lines determine the
question. can become a distributing
point for trade. a shipping paint for
export, or a manufacturing center Yet
with all Of this artificial aid, possibly
because Of it, Portland languishes, ard !
IS forced to see Seattle overtake ard /
pass :: in size. in magnitude Of its COM
merce. in manufacturing AMI very soon I
in wealth.
Ye, Seattle has never enjoyed the
slightest discrimination in its favor
from any transportation company. on
the contrary, during several stages u
its growth 1t has had 10 NEE; the active
hostility Of railroad companies shown in
discrimination against it, So Ear as The
railroads are concerned, Seattle has no
greater privileges or concessions in
rates than has any once city on Puget
sound which is reached BY he lines II
the transconJinsntal railroads. The
same is ,rue as regards rates for i.s
product. VIVA; business
Seattle has built up has no; Deea 1rs-
sentei 10 It by the discrimination y
companies in rs favor. 1:
has been obtained by active competition .
with rivals who stood on equal 'srms
with it so far as transportation rates
were concerned, or who were favored
at the expense OF Seattle.
Possibly 1t is just for this rs1son ,hai
Seattle gained 50 rapidly on Portland,
and has completely and hopelessly lis
.anced its nearest local rival. Both
Portland and Tacoma have bztu edu-
,ated into the belief that The favor Of
companies was sufficient
n itself 10 bring them business; 'h:t
hey did not need TO bestir thems :lvves
o get it. Both enjoyed the diserImin-
.ting favor Of transportation ines FOR
'ears, and Portland enjoys It yet With !
,ut any such aid, and knowing that it
.ould never receive Il, Seattle !as made
Is own way. Il has never asked for
ayor or determinations The one thing
or which 1t has consistently AMI per-
istently fought is a fair field and no
avors. Portland on the contrary, de-
ENDS for its commercial life upon pol
,v Of discrimination oy transportation
ompanels, which operates to prevent
ny rival from springing up in It's own !
tate. It has lost public spirit and pres (
.ge by this; and has incurred the Bit q
.r hostility Of al other communities
n the Columbia