The Great Freight War: Tacoma vs. Seattle

A significant controversy has erupted in Seattle regarding freight discrimination by the Pacific Coast Steamship Company. Local merchants claim that the company is intentionally neglecting Seattle's cargo in favor of their rival port, Tacoma.

The issue came to light when a Seattle merchant, whose orders were delayed, wrote a sharp letter to the editor stating: 'I do not choose nor do I believe this man... is guilty of this discrimination, but I think it must be generated in San Francisco who is in the employ of the company who thus misrepresents the interests of his employer.' He noted that goods sent to San Francisco were shipped by Wednesday, yet refused on Thursday by the steamer and sent up by express instead.

Reporter James Tate sought comment from Captain Huntington of the steamer *Mexico*. The captain denied any malice: 'There certainly was no discrimination intended against Seattle or any other place. The facts are that much more freight is offered than we could possibly bring... In order to accommodate their Puget Sound patrons, put the steamship Wilmington on the berth as soon as we pulled out.'

However, W.D. Edwards, the freight clerk, admitted a logistical bias. 'As a rule we knock off taking freight for all Sound ports at the same time, but I remember this trip we did shut down on Seattle freight before we did on Tacoma freight... We had taken in nearly 100 tons of Seattle freight... there was a little "jag" for Tacoma on the wharf, about sufficient to fill the small available space, and we took it on board.' He explained that Seattle had so much more freight than any other port that they cut her off two hours before other ports to make room for perishable Victoria freight.

The dispute highlights the intense economic rivalry between the two cities. While the company claims fairness, the perception of bias remains a sore point for Seattle's business community.