New-York tribune., 1908-07-30
QUIT ORIENTAL TRADE
STE4MSHIP OUTLOOK Bad.
abandon Business Sad
To Be $3.50, ,ooo, 900 a Year.

Chicago. July 29.-'"The Record-Hehald' to-day
says that the trade of the United States with the
Orient. Australia and New Zealand. amounting TO
than s250Ooo o0o annually, and of Canada with
the countries has been dealt a-severe blow by
the transcontinental railroads. which have decided
TO abandon large portion Of this business By
the same action the railroads controlled by T. H.
Hartman. James J. Hill, the Berwnd synolcate
and the Canadian government have mace IL pos
sible it is asserted for the japanese government 10
realize speedily its ambition to become the master
of all the trade the Pacific seas.
The Canadian Pacific Great Northern, Northern
Pacific. Union Pacific Southern Pacific. oregon snort
Line and Santa Fe roads it is reported nave served
notice upon shippers that they will &c out of the
export trade TO China Japan. New Zealand ana
Australia on November 1 and practically aoandoh
the import trade.
In so doing the roads are carrying out threat
which was made to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission at the time that body issued what is known
as Rule Sc The rule requires the railroads 10 pup
lish the inland proportions of their import and ex-
port rates. ana. subsequently modified by the
commission change these rates under q three
days notice for lowering and ten days notice Tor
increase.
San Franciso. July 2s-In confirming the report
that the transcontinenta1 railroads will go out OF
the export and import trade with the orient ana
Australia November l. r. P Schwerin. general
manager of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company
to-day declared the result Of such action would
prove disastrous the American shipping
interests of the Pacific Coast He drew dark
picture of the future of the steamship lines on
this coast, and declared that because OF the sub
sides allowed by Japan to her shipping the busi-
ness of the Pacific would naturally fall into the
hands OF the Japanese He said:
Shippers have been advised by the transconti
mental railroads that they will go of the export
and import trade with the Orient, Australia ana
salr9ads is the result as We UNDERSTAND H. 9I fne
in Of irey publish
rates, The general effect on the steamship com
panies will be to compel those operating lines
between Pacific Coast ports and the Orient Aus
part of this trade Instead of coming 70 this
the Orient VIII be Carried in foreign bottoms to
the Atlantic Coast by wey of the Suez canal ana
carried in Japanese bottoms.
The steamship companies now doing business on
couver and other ports with the Orient Australia
portion of the Old land and water haul rate and
continue to do business. The japanese only can
subsidies they receive from the government.
The outlook for shipping on the Pacific Coast a;;f
be. 1t is too soon. of course. to make the broad
man roads through this port and those connected
with the Hill lines through Seattle and vancouver We.
will be for sale to the highest bidder nut the
situation is very discouraging.
Portland Ore July 2e-'I have intimation
that the regular steamship lines Pacific Coast
E Conan. assistant general freight agent Of the
Hartman lines here to-day. but 1 have realized
for some tir1e that the outlook for the steamers
gloomy indeed.
The ruling of tia Interstate Commerce Commits
sion that we cannot make through rate TO
Oriental ports but must publish that portion that
accrr1es to the rail carrier Is responsible
THE Interstate Commerce Commission has ruled
that IT has no Jurisdiction ocean going lines,
and consequently the steamers going by way OF
the suez Canal will be in position to dominate
the Oriental trade hereafter. if the Interstate
Commerce Commission sticks TO its ruling
St Paul July 29-W. W. Brougfton. general
traffic manager of the Great Northern Railway.
which is affiliated with the Great Northern Steam
ship Company. said tonight when asked as 70 the
effect Of the Interstate Commerce Commission rul-
ing on Oriental traffic:
THE ruling OF the commission has so affected
matters that through tariffs to the Orient Will be
withdrawn about November L AS TO the effect OF
the withdrawal of the tariffs the traffic of the
American lines. I cannot say.
James J. Hill chairman of the board of directors
Of the Great Northern. refused 10 make any state
Tnent.