Seattle Merchants Declare War on Railroads

The Shippers' Association of this city took a decisive step yesterday to force the railroads to give Seattle the facilities for doing business to which its status as a railroad center and a commercial city entitle it. The immediate object of the association is that the Northern Pacific steamships from the Orient shall call here as well as at Tacoma. At a special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, with J. S. Goldsmith in the chair, the question was fully discussed with the result that resolutions were adopted binding the shippers to route all their freight via the Great Northern until such time as the Northern Pacific shall come to terms and agree to land its steamships in this city. The Great Northern was believed in earnest for what it started to do for Seattle, but it is the understanding of the association that if Mr. Hill does not appreciate the volume of business now thrown in his way and give some assurance for the erection of a depot and terminal facilities at an early date, that then all the freight now diverted to his line would be given to the Canadian Pacific.