New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-17
FOR NORTHWEST TRADE
HtH-Harr1man Competition Reach
ing an acute Stage.

The announcement OF the Incorporation of the
Washington Northern Railway Company in
seattle brings to an acute point the struggle
between the Hill and Hartman interests for the
controI of the Pacific Coast trade. In the endeav-
or 10 harmonic these interests. the Northern
securities Company formed. but after it's
existence was destroyed by the government the
ahtagonism between the two great railroad
builders broke out with more vehemence than
ever.
Each has been trying to secure the others
ports and routes. and Mr.. HILL it is known,
views with certain feeling of uneasiness if
not with genuine alarm. the large holdings by
the hartman interests in the Hill roads. For
THIS reason he has been trying to buy these
holdings, and the knowledge that this was so
has led for some time to expectations of an
nouncements Of extra dividends by the Union
Pacific or some other form of benefit to the
stockholders. and has been responsible IN a
large measure for the advance in the price of
the Union Pacific securities.
The Washington Northern Railway Company
represents the Hartman endeavor TO get physi-
cal possession of the Hill partys Pacific port
Portland has for years been the Hartman port
on the northern Pacific coast. while Seattle has
been looked upon almost ]. ]. HIS private
property. Recently, however In the struggle
for supremacy, each has been trying to take the
others port and reports have filled Wall Street
of competitive railroad building in the Far West
The most recent rumor had it that Mr.. Harri-
man had bought the Pacific Coast Company,
with valuable and advantageously situated ter
minals in Seattle and right of way and rail-
way entrance into that city. The stock Of that
company, however is strongly held by the Hill
interests, and, while Mr.. Hartman is repre-
sented on the board of directors. he was unable
70 obtain control of the road.
In the n can time Mr. Hill has been actively
building toward Portland. Leaving the main
line Of the Great Northern at Spokane he comes
down TO the north bank Of the Columbia River,
at Pasco. by the Northern Pacific. and is build
ing new line to Portland from that place. Mr..
Harrtmar's Washington Northern Railway is TO
build line from Portland to Seattle and Ever
EFT, another port Puget Sound. touched by
the main line Of the Great Northern. from which
a branch runs to Seattle The Washington
Northern will cross the Columbia River at Kelso
and reach Seattle by way Of Tacoma.
Seventy acres of tidelands have been acquired
at Tacoma for terminal purposes. at a cost of
about $1,OO000O The Seattle terminals will be
on land adjoining the harbor frontage owned by
James j. Hill This property cost about 100000.
Construction of the new road will be rushed. and
by reason of the shorter distance to be built it
is hoped to have it finished by the time Mr. Hill
gets into Portland. Mr.. Hills construction in
wolves about 241 miles OF railroad building while
Mr.. Hartman has only about 1S5 miles of line
TO build.
The completion of the Hill line into Portland
Will give him a route to that city from Chicago
only twelve miles and half longer than the
Hartman route. The Hill connection viii be by
the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy from Chi
to Spokane, 1490 miles; the Northern Pacific
from Spokane to Pasco, 145 miles. and the road
now in course of construction from Pasco TO
Portland 241 miles, a total of 2,3O7 miles. The
Hartman route is by the Chicago and North
western from Chicago 10 Omaha, 1929 miles;
the Union Pacific from Omaha to Granger S0I
miles, and the Oregon Short Line TO Portland,
80 miles, total Of . 294 3 miles.
In the Seattle competition the Hill lines have
the advantage Of the Hartman roads by
than DO miles. Mr. Hill has direct line of the
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy from Chicago TO
St. Paul. 431 miles and the Great Northern on
to Seattle, 1870 miles, a total of 2.251 miles.
while Mr.. Hartman has TO add to his 2.2945
miles from Chicago to Portland lS5 miles les
timated). from Portland TO Seattle, making a
total Of 2,419.5 miles. This is a difference in
Mr. Hills favor Of 22S.5 miles.