The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-07-01
New Mail Service
Viii Begin Today

We have received the following
circular from the San Juan Naviga-
ton Co., relating to the new mail
contract:
To Postmasters. San Juan County,
Gentlemen:
On July 1st, 1910, this Company
begins the new six times week
mail service through the Islands and
between Seattle and Bellingham.
Owing to conditions over which
we have had no control, and princi-.
pally because we did not have the
usual six months allowed contract
ors for preparation previous to be-
ginning service, we will at first be
unable to give the service which we
ultimately intend giving, so we ask
your indulgence for any lapse we
may be forced to make and your CO..
operation in a study of schedules SO
that we may adjust them to the in.
terests Of not only the mail service,
but to those Of the various freight
and passenger patrons whom we will
serve and to whom we are compell-
ed to look to assist us in maintain
ing the new service.
The steamer Burton" is to be
placed on the route between Belling-
ham and all island points on the new
route, handling freight and passen-
gers. We will use for the Seattle
Island route the steamer "Vashon-
ian," a 15-mile an hour vessel,
for the time being and until we can
get our steamer Morning Star" in
first class shape. The s'Vashonian''
is a smart ,seaworthy vessel and will
give practically a round trip service
by daylight, in any event will arrive
in Seattle on return before tn" last
car. If consistent, we would thank
you TO inform the patrons who come
to your stores and offices Of our po-
sition and to assure them that be-
fore long we propose to give a SER
vice which will be excellent in every.
respect, and that we intend to help
the islands to the growth they de-
serve.
Yours very truly,
San Juan Navigation Company.
We are glad to be able to give
this matter publicity, for we feel
it would be an injustice to the men
who have worked and are working
so hard to give the islands their due
with this new mail, freight and pass
enger service, if a full explanation
was not accepted by our people for
any short coming in the new service
which is caused entirely by that
neWness.
1t is a fact that the postofiice de-
partment lets the bids for four year
contracts on mails about six months
n advance of the proposed service
and this solely with q view to giving
The contractors time to assemble
equipment. We are reliably inform
I'd that the contract for the pres
mt service was not completed and
signed until about three weeks ago,
through no fault Of the contractors
,r department but owing to uncon-
trollable conditions. Naturally the
1ew contractors should be given
time to perfect their SER
rice and it is only fair that the pub
ic should refrain from criticism un-
ii there has been ample time to
soil the wheels" We are not stand
NO sponsor for the new company,
,ut we feel confident from the stand
ng of the men who are interested
n it and the effort they are making
lnder very adverse conditions, that
hey will make good and do their
Utmost to assist the islands in the
.rowth which belongs to them.
The mail schedule, as announced
y the post-office department, will
,e as follows:
Steamer Morning Star. or Vashon-
an,leaves Seattle daily except Mon
lay at Z AIM; arrives Port Town
end at 1O.45 8. M: leaves Port
II !. M; leaves Richard
on 1 3. m. Friday Harbor 2. p. m.
Roche Harbor 8 p. M. arrives East
sound At 5 p. M: leaves East Sound
$50 >. M; Roche Harbor at 80
). M; Friday Harb0r $50 p. m;
Richardson $50 p. IA; arrives Fort
lT:3O =. M; leaves Port
1I:45 p. m; arrives Seat'-
sle 8 80 !. "a.
Steamer Burton will run between
Bellingham and Argyle. leaving
Bellinel1am daily except Monday q q
|; !. m: South Bellingham Ct 6:15
/. n: Urban 7:15 !. "a; Dee Bay
]. a.; Olga 8::35 = ~; Rosazio ]
3:60 !. M; East Sonpd $40 !. =.
Shaw island 1905 -. ;Orc6s 10:2
I. a.; West Sound 10:40 :. AZ