The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1902-12-03
lntereStedin Secretary Root s
Announcement That the
Transport Service VIII
Soon Be Discontinued
Arrives in Washington, But
Does Not Make His Bust
ness KnCWn-WOuld Like
Share of Pacific Shipments

The arrival in this city last night of
President James j. Hill. of the Great
Northern Railway. so soon after the
publication Of the annual report Of the
Secretary Of War. with its specific an
nouncement Of the intention Of the War
Department 20 give up it's transport
service on the Pacific Ocean. is regarded
as most significant Of the intention OF
MIR. Hill 20 get his share OF the Govern
mcnt shipping business on the Pacific.
Secretary Root said in his report on
this subject
THE reduction Of the force i'm the
Philippines has made possible a large
reduction Of the transport service on the
Pacific. The regular service between
San Francisco and Manila has been re-
duced from bimonthly 10 monthly sail
ings.
Private Bids Invited
In October bids we're invited from
commercial lines for transportation Of
passengers and freight for the army be
tween san Francisco Portland. Seattle.
and Tacoma and Manila until June 30.
1903. a number Of bids have been re-
ceived. but the comparative advantage
Of operating under them has not yc;
been worked out. and no contract has
been awarded. As rapidly as 10 becomes
apparent that The Government business
can De done more economically fin any
part, or as a whole. by this method. 20 Is
the purpose OF the department to follow
the same course which has been followed
upon the Atlantic and discontinue Che
use Of Government transports and 10 put
the business IN the hands OF commercial
lines on the basis OF open competition.
II am satisfied that il is practicable
for private shippers 10 do all ordinary
business much cheaper than it Is posi-
bic for the Government to DO 81. under the
limitations which rest upon Government
action. and that they can afford to do the
business for less than IL costs the Gov
eminent and still make a profit. At the
same time by following this method the
Government will be aiding to build up
regular commercial lines between tho
Pacific Coast and Manila. which IS much
TO be desired"
Declines to Tell Business.
Mir. Hill declines to say what his busi-
ness is in Washington at this time. but
he does say that his company would be
glad to secure a share or the Government
business II the Government transport
service we're abolished. Mr.. HIS com
paay has a steamship line from Seattle
across the Pacific. and it has added a
number Of ships 90 its service in the
past two years, and IS still building
vessels.
The Boston Steamboat Company. a cor
poration backed by the banking firm OF
by the Earrings Of London, has already
put in a bid for the transportation OF
troops and supplies which. it is said. ls
much lower than the Government has
been doing the work Mr. Hill says that
his company Is not directly connected
with this firm. but it IS believed that ne
may be Interested I'm it Indirectly.
The bidding or Seattle interests for
this business Is especially interesting be-
cause OF the fact that II any Seattle con-
Germ gets Sc there viii have 10 be
change In the headquarters for army
shipments from San Francisco TO Seattle
Il is said that this fact may result in q
fight between the railway interests viii
terminals in the two cities