Seattle's Bid to Steal the Grain Trade From Tacoma

The proposed erection of a grain warehouse and barrel factory on a site in North Seattle meets with hearty endorsement by all quarters as a practical step in the direction of making Seattle the principal port for grain shipments and for import business from Asia. In order to adapt the wharf for the discharging of grain from steamers, it is now proposed to build a wharf of 600 feet front on the harbor, which would make it large enough for discharging any cargo at both hatches simultaneously, and Edward Blewett, the principal stockholder, has been assured that if this is done the steamers which will begin running to China and Japan this year in connection with the Great Northern road will use the wharf. In that case the Northern Pacific steamers, which now unload their Asiatic cargo at Tacoma for transfer by rail because this city has no wharf large enough for quick discharge, would also do their West Coast business here; in fact, assurances have already been obtained to that effect. To accommodate the largest ocean steamer would require a wharf with at least 400 feet of frontage, and as the proposed site has 600 feet of frontage, of which 400 feet would belong to the grain warehouse, there is ample room to give the steamers the space they need.

The project has also received the support of the local grain commission men, who see in its realization the certainty of an enlarged market among shippers, as the presence here of two warehouses would attract more exporters. The promise of one of the largest firms of shippers on the Coast to remove its headquarters here and to subscribe for stock in the company is an earnest of what would result. In discussing the matter with a Post-Intelligencer reporter yesterday, C. G. Austin, of the grain firm of Austin & Zimmerman, brought out a number of points in favor of the enterprise, of which the following is a synopsis:

"The time has come when it is necessary for Seattle to provide room for grain and get exporters established here, or to give up the business. The proposed elevator is certainly a step in the right direction, as it carries with it the assurance of locating in this city one of the largest exporting companies on the Pacific coast, which is of all importance to the city as a grain market. Again, there is no location in Seattle so well adapted to the business as the barrel factory site, for it is on the lines of all the railroads entering the city, convenient to the business part of the city, has good deep water, and the lay of the ground is as well adapted to the building of such a house as could be. The railroad companies will deliver grain at the house without any switching charge, as they do at Tacoma, Albina and Portland, which will reduce the cost of handling grain to the minimum. This has to be done at all terminal points in order to meet competition, and to enable dealers to pay the best prices. These are necessary and important features to be looked after in the building up of a wheat market as well as making an elevator profitable. We shall do all in our power to aid this matter, as well as take some stock.

"The grain business is growing in this state. Seattle has never had or done her share of it, for several reasons. First, there was up to 1890 an arbitrary rate against Seattle. This led to the building of elevators and warehouses in Tacoma, as well as flour mills, and caused exporters and dealers to locate there, which led banks to organize for financing the business. It has been very hard within the past eighteen months to finance any large wheat deals in this city, but this season I think all the banks have been very liberal. The banks we do business with here at all times take care of us and have been called upon at some times to put up large amounts, and have always been equal to the emergency. We have had no trouble in this particular from any source, which is quite remarkable when we consider the stringency of money.

"As we understand the situation, all there is to do to secure this elevator — which carries with it indirectly the building of a large flouring mill and secures the permanent locating of a large exporting concern — is for the citizens of Seattle to take about $75,000 worth of stock, as the grounds are provided for, and Mr. Blewett and his friends are prepared to take a large block of the stock. We believe this the best prospect this city has ever had to place itself on the list of the principal grain markets of the Coast, and we hope every citizen of Seattle realizes the importance of securing this business. At least one-half of our state is adapted to the raising of grain exclusively, as well as Eastern Oregon and Northern Idaho, which are naturally tributary here, or as much so as to Portland or Tacoma. All of this vast area of country is fast being planted in wheat, oats and barley, thickly populated towns and cities spring up, and the people are consuming all sorts of merchandise. The city that handles the product of this great empire will as well supply the merchandise. It creates an interchange of business, and that means prosperity for the city that secures the business. If the crop matures as well as the present prospects indicate, from the sections of country I have named there will be at least 25,000,000 bushels of wheat for export next season. Seattle should certainly control one-third of this, which would mean a business in wheat alone at the present very low price of at least $1,500,000.

"In the past we have not secured anything like our share of the business, owing, no doubt, to lack of facilities, as figures of business of Seattle and Tacoma for the period from September 2, 1893, to April 4, 1894, will show."

For that period Tacoma shipped 31 cargoes of wheat, while Seattle shipped only four full and three part cargoes — a balance heavily in Tacoma's favor.