The Great Alaska Rate War: Seattle’s Shipping Barons Draw the Line

At the meeting of the Alaska Steamship Association, held this morning in the office of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, in the Union Building, the principal topic discussed was the ultimatum recently received in this city from the two Canadian steamship companies of Victoria, giving notice that American steamers must stop calling at British Columbia ports. The ultimatum further stated that unless the boats did stop calling, the two British Columbia steamship companies would withdraw from the Alaska Steamship Association.

The representatives of the several Alaska steamers, comprising all of the initial combine, agreed that in case the British companies desired to withdraw from the Alaska Steamship Association, they were at liberty to do so. As there was no representative present for the Union Steamship Company of Victoria, a committee consisting of A. E. Carlson, agent for the Canadian Pacific Navigation Company; Stewart, of the Washington and Alaska Company; and N. Walsh, of the Humboldt Steamship Company, was appointed to see Mr. H. Hartling, of the Union Steamship Company, and notify him of the result of the meeting.

The next meeting of the association will be held at Vancouver, April 11.

At the present time it is most unlikely that there will be any rate cutting on the part of the local companies. They all seem to be well with the present condition of affairs.