The First Train Reached Seattle—Then the Timetable Vanished

Vice President and General Manager Oakes, of the Northern Pacific, has just returned to St. Paul from an extended trip over the line of the road. He said:

"The business at Portland and other places is not what it should be, mainly owing to the state of affairs in Wall Street and general depression of business everywhere. However, the condition of things was not discouraging. The crops are in fine condition, and the yield all along the line will be large and profitable. The affairs of the road are in first-class shape. The travel is large, the road in excellent working order, and the prospects ahead excellent. At present there is no construction work going on, and there will not be for some time. The road is not being operated to Seattle, although Mr. Oakes passed over from Tacoma to that place in the first train run there. It will likely be some time before trains will be regularly run to Seattle. The relations of the Northern Pacific have not been changed in the least by the late meeting of the stockholders of the Oregon Railway and Navigation. Matters have not been changed in the least particle, and business is being conducted according to the old agreement."

Mr. Oakes stated that he had been called upon by a resident of Walla Walla, W. T., in regard to having something done to reduce the rates to that point from Chicago and St. Paul. This gentleman complained that the people of the town were obliged to pay an enormous rate from either Chicago or St. Paul, and so as to force them to do business with Portland. Mr. Oakes replied to his visitor that it was out of the power of the Northern Pacific to do anything in the matter, as the line did not extend any further than Wallula Junction, and there connected with the Oregon Railway and Navigation. The latter road was the one having authority in the matter. The only way in which the Northern Pacific could do anything in this matter would be by building a line from Wallula to The Dalles, which would run parallel to the Oregon railway. This scheme is not for a moment thought of, as both roads are satisfied with the present arrangement. Friendly relations exist between both roads and are likely to continue for a long time.