THE WEST SHORE.
oouiidorable advantage to the producers to be able to
hip that way. The traniportation rates are the same
to tide wator in eithor direction, bat from the Bound
ihip charters are less than by way of the Columbia
rivnr, so the farmon realize more on produce lent to
market by way of Puget sound. Mr. Hunt hai been
able to get important subsidies from the people of
the couutry penetratod by hii line because of the
material advantage which it afforded by their con
struction and operation on an independent basis, and
during the recent changes in the control of the rail
way situation of the northwest many people became
fearful that the system in which they had placed so
much ooufideuco was about to pass into other hands
ami become an agent of extortion. 1 here has never
Ixten any real probability of this, however. The writ
er was one of a party, including President Hunt and
Henry Yitlard, that recently passed over the Hunt
liuea. The trip was for information only, and it was
evident that the system is entirely independent of any
hampering alliance with either of the companies hav
ing an interest in the development of the Inland Em
pire. Mr. Yitlard was much interested in what he
learned of the road and the country through which it
paste " That is beautiful," said be, contemplating
the scene from one of the stations. M I thought I
knew all about this country before, but this trip is a
revelation to me. It is a wonderful oountry, and I
would not believe that such advancement had been
mads if 1 bad not seen it with my own eyes." The
people along Hunt's lines need have no fear that they
will be delivered into the hands of the enemy after
encouraging in every possible way the new enterprise.
The road is a profitable one as it is, so there is no in
ducement to adopt a policy, which, at best, would be
uncertain in its results. As one item of the business,
it may be stated that Mr. Hunt expects to carry from
the Inland Empire this season about six million bush,
els of wheat alone.
Mr. Hunt has been very successful in building i
railway system of more than ordinary merit The
tracks and rolling stock are as good as the best, the
management is enterprising and effioient, and the peo
ple of the section through which the lines pass feel
friendly towaid the company. The Northern Pacific
Elevator Company has built elevators at nearly every
station on the road, and the railroad company hat
provided cattle yards at convenient points for ship
ping. Though there are no government lands along
the lines still open for settlers, those who have main
tained vast stock ranges are now willing to divide
them and go to farming, which yields more profit, and
are glad to find purchasers and neighbors. Farms
may be obtained in desirable locations at from $15.00
an acre up. All the conditions are so attractive that
people are now pouring into that section in great num
bers, and it will not be long before the whole oountry
is brought under the plow and the broad plain will
be one of the most richly productive regions under
the sun.