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Show A SIGN OF RIVALRY. There is 'some evidence that the Western Pacific and Southern Pacific are to be real rivals for the trade of the Pacific. Lately Toyo Kisen Kaisha, a big Japanese steamship line, operating ships between Asiatic and California ports, has parted company with the Pacific Mail Steamship company, a Harriman concern, and has served notice that it will co-operate with the Western Pacific road on transcontinental business. This indicates a well matured plan on the part of the Gould people to go after the trans-Pacific trade and it is a move so bold as to call for a counter move on the part of the Southern Pacific and. perhaps, lead to intense rivalry. The Western Pacific shows some signs of greater financial strength which may be explained on the theory that Hill or other big interests are now back of that road. A contest for the trade of the Pacific would be a radical change from the present railroad situation on the Coast. There has never been anything approaching a railroad war to disturb the serenit of railroad life in this part of the United States. From Ogden : i San Francisco, or to Southern California, or the Northwest shipper. ; have had no choice of routes or rates. With the Western Pacific growing as bold as a buccaneer of the high seas, capturing steamship steam-ship lines and defying the Harriman people to retaliate, the Southern South-ern Pacific may be provoked into a contest. From Ogden to San Francisco, the Southern Pacific has a great advantage in lower mileage over the Western Pacific, which the lower grades of the Gould road cannot overcome, but when two such powerful rivals become involved in a struggle for mastery, the question ques-tion of superiority is not to be admitted until one is made to yield, A rate war between the Western Pacific and Central Pacific would be an enjoyable experience for the public. |