The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-24
TOSAN FRAN CISCO ms 4HOURS
THE TASK T.. ~. HARTMAN mas
SET OUT TO ACCOMPLISH.
Union ann southern Pacific systems spend.
ing Millions In Reducing Curves. cut.
unS Down Grades. &c.-Rcsult OF the
struggle sOr Transpacinc Commerce.

ing Millions I'm Rcductng Curves, cut.
ung Down Grades. &c.-Rcsult OF the
struggle s0r TranspAcinc Commerce.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 23.-fron New York
10 San Francisco in three and half days
&c the task that E. II. Hartman has set
out TO accomplish. He says IL will be ac-
oomplished within three years. He ha
taken the Pennsylvania Railroad az his
model and declares that as fast as men
and money can make the change the Union
and Southern Pacific systems from Omaha
TO San Francisco will be in Ysery respec,
equal to the magnificent Pennsylvania
road from New York to Chicago. Millions
are now being expended, he says, in straight
ening tho road from Omaha westward
and the work Of rebuilding the Southern
Pacific from Ogden will follow. The ST.
crras are 10 be turnc!lsd, 90 tina: The grade
viii be no greater than those found on
t'c lines east Of Ogden.
FIR Hsrrin:an's declaration OF his purpose
IL: pouring out millions on the central con-
tinental highway was called out because
II tho struggle now going on for the lion :
snare of transpscihc commerce between
James J. Hiil and the Northern Pacific
interests on The one hand and +. n Harri-
man and the Cniln-Southcrn Pacific on
the other. The fight arose over the attempt
81 James j. Hill aud his allies Ia wrest
control of the Government transport bust
PEGS from San Francisco and transfer it
10 Seattle. The outcome OF the first round
of tnc fight. which was decided by Sccre-
tary Root last week, was in n sense victory
fo. Seattle though for the time being the
Government service will be operated as
rsual from San Francisco. But a contract
las been awarded to the Boston Steam ship
company, which has close connections
with Hills interestS. whereby troops and
supplies may be transport ed from Seattle.
The quantity to ne sent over tho Mort hcin
route il left entirely 20 the discretion of the
Secretary of War The Seattle interests.
in making the bid; stipulated tina, at least
as per cent. Of the Government 5 Philip
pine business should 60 through Seattle.
but Secretary Root declared this an i'm
possible condition, and il was withdrawn.
Mr.. Hartman and the San Francisco
interests were opposed to the granting Of
the contract 10 Seattle, even without the
condition named. but failed to influence
Secretary Root. Mr.. Hartman came here
on Thursday, dined with the President
and had two conferences with Secretary
Root. He told the Secretary of War that
he regretted the award of the contract To
proposal made by his lieutenant, II. II.
Scherwin, vice presiden, and general mana
ger Of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
that that company. backed by the trans
continental railroads terminating at San
Francisco, stood ready to charter or 10
purchase the Government transports or
supply ships Of their own and take over the
entire Philippine transport business at a bid
lower than could possibly be offered by the
Northern lines.
~. uerr;nap informed So,r,,,r,, De-,
that he was expanding tens of millions Of
dollars In the construction Of the Union
Pacific. He said the distance was being
shortened, curves reduced. grades cut
down. steel and stone culverts put in and
the heaviest steel rails laid Plans are being
perfected for a tunnel under the Sierra
Nevada range. near Truckee, Cal, which
will permit descent into the Sacramento
Valley on an easy grade. With these inn
provements completed the time from New
York to San Francisco will be reduced to
three and half days.
Meantime improvements on the sea are
coming fast. The Pacific Mail has already
In service the Korea, the largest steamship
vet built In the United States, and it Is en-
gagged in clipping the record between San
Francisco and the Orient. Her sister ship,
the Siberia. is on her way around the Horn.
Agents az the company are scattered through
the Orient from Vladivostock to Adelaide
in addition to the Korea, Siberia and China
Of its own line, controls the Coptic. Doric
and Gaelic Of the Occidental and Oriental
Line. and the Hong Kong Maru. Nippon
Maru and America Maru Of the Togo Risen
Kaisha Line. all operated on schedules that
give frequent service out OF San Francisco.
James j. Hill and the interests working
with him from Puget Sound are rapidly
coming forward for their share Of trans
pacific commerce. Hills great steam
chips, carrying % 900 tons each. will soon
be plying between Puget Sound and the
Far East The Boston Steamship Com
panys steamers are already in the service
Mr.. Hill In constantly improving the great
railroads controlled by him in the North
west. and he has already captured much
Of the cotton trade Of Japan and China.
Intense rivalry is developing between
San Francisco and Seattle. San Fran
cisco has the advantage Of prestige, popu-
la,ion and wealth, but Seattle lie much more
vigorous. ambitious and vide awake. The
struggle for control OF the commerce Of
the Pacific Is on in earnest. with captains
~ finance and industry pitted against each
other for the golden prize. Tie War De-
partment ia striving 20 maintain neutral
attitude. and the probabilities are that
a division OF tie Government business will
IN made. 1t il estimated that San Fran
cisco has received directly and indirectly
since the establishment of the transport
service $75,o0o,o 900 OF the Governments
money