City Dock Bottleneck Hits Local Merchants

The city dock is practically completed, and now the only question which troubles the men who are to occupy it and the interested public is when the Northern Pacific will put in the spur track on the west side of the warehouse so that the roadway may be completed and business commenced. An appeal was made to Division Superintendent Albee, who wired to General Manager Horn. The reply was received that it was out of Mr. Horn's line and up to the president of the road. Monday last, Mayor Wright wired the general manager, urging the pressing necessity of the work and asked him if he could not urge the officials to speedy action. As yet, no reply has been received by the mayor. The business people of the city are disgusted with the dilatory manner in which the Northern Pacific is handling this matter, as already three months have elapsed since the request was made. At this season 500 to 600 crates of berries are coming in daily, and much more will be coming very soon. The fruit and produce men are obliged to unload the berries at one of the other docks and have to pay wharfage on them, thus increasing the retail price. The spur track desired is a simple matter in construction, as only about 300 feet separated the north end of the new warehouse from the main track of the Northern Pacific and the Western Improvement Company, which could be readily tapped for the accommodation of the said dock.