The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-10
James J. Hill Discusses the
Oriental Trade Question.
He Agrees With Ripley That 1t
is PrOiitless.
HELPS HIS RAILROADS.
Only by Increased Railroad BUSH
ness Is There Gain.
Will Not Try to Cut Into Orange
Traffic.
HELPS HIS RAILROADS

j. ]. Hill. president of the Northern
Securities company. has been making
trio of inspection over his system with
q special view to the develoSment and
expansion OF Oriental trade. In speak
ing Of the project he said.
we 40 not care to make any money
out of the Oriental trade we are spend
ing millions to establish i'm this territory
in competition with other lines OF rail-
road What we want is enough eastern
and southern products coming to the
north Pacific coast and Seattle at a FAIR
rate TO furnish us with loaded hauls 10
ST. Paul and give US a supply Of cars
which win enable us to put in a rate to
the eastern markets for every product
OF Puget Sound and tine northwest that
Will build UP the agricultural districts
and encourage manufacturing.
I'VE have no fear about gettinS
freight enough to fill the capacity of oW
new boats. We are going TO introduce
rates across the continent that viii ac-
comDiish this. In doing so we viii nos
expect TO make any great amount OF
money out OF Oriental business. We re-
alize that this cannot be done.
"There lis absolutely no truth in the
reports that the Northern Pacific. Great
Northern. or any other road i'm which
have an interest is seeking an outlet on
the California coast, or contemplate
going to SAN Francisco. 1t would b.
the most foolish thing in the world Ga
do There is no business between the
north and south coast that could be-
cultivated to give us a haul both ways
Last year we handled to Seattle 4tI
shipment to the far east 70 per cent of the
cotton goods product OF the south Whed
we have our boats ia operation this viii
Toe increased. and the same viii be the cas-
with many ether manufactured and ia "
products of different parts Of the Jn}Te1
States We are going to bring them t.
Puget Sound and VIII make the rates to fle
it. The oriental business is only inciden-
tal but viii be the means Of building uI
the business along the lines of the Great
Northern. Northern Pacific and Burning
ton 1t is this traffic that viii pay us ou-
revenue
I'VE do not want the California fruit
trade. That only lasts a few weeks eacl
year and. while it is lares. would moi
pay the operating expenses of q line. An
other thing. Washington Is caIable of pro
cucing as much. ii not more. fruit thar
California and this is the trade we are at
ter. We are not thinking OF developing rht
Washington fruit business. or any other
industry and then aiding in placing it in
competition with the same line of good.
iu California. 1t is not TO cur interest q
so far as the plans Of the Union Pacih,
or the Canadian Pacific are concerned.
am not advised We are too busy in lock
ing after the development OF cur own ter
ritory 10 pay any attention to what tEe1
are doing. If they look after the territori
adjacent to their lines they VIII be iiis
as busy as the Great Northern or North
ut viii always be the aim and object G
the Great Northern. Northern Pacific ant
Burlington to reduce rates. In the plan
we have made we viii be abb to do this
but not through any other caanneL