, 1872-09-26
Progress of the Northern Paci-
fic Railroad.

At this date (August, 1922 regular
freight and passenger trains have been
running for six months on schedule
time over the main line of the Northern
Pacific Road, from Duluth to the East
ern border Of Dakota, 252 miles; the
track is laid and construction trains now
run considerable distance westward
across Dakota; three-fourth of the 200
miles, between the Red river and the
crossing of the Missouri, is graded;
track laying is progressing at the rate of
nearly two miles a day, and about the
middle OF October the Road is to be
completed and in operation to the Mis-
souri, river, 200 miles from the west line
of Minnesota, and 452 miles west of
Lake Superior. All material ana equip
ment are purchased and ready for the
completion and operation Of this sec
ton of the Road.
On the Pacific Coast, in Washington
Territory, finished section of 25 miles
has been in regular operation for some
months, an additional extent Of 20 miles
is now approaching completion-mak-
ing 65 miles at the western end that will
be in running order the present season.
This will give a total Of SIT miles of
Road put in operation in little more
than twenty-four months from the date
of beginning work, Notwithstanding the
necessary delays of the first year atten-
pant upon the prosecution of thorough
preliminary surveys and the selection
of the best line through densly wood
ed region.
A better idea of the real magnitude of
the work accomplished will be conveyed
by stating that the portion conveyed by
stating that the portion of the Northern
Pacific Road, now approaching compile
ton, is considerably longer than the
New York Central Railroad and its con-
Meeting lines. extending from Albany,
n. Y, to Cleveland, Ohio; nearly as
long as the combined from Portland,
Maine, through Boston, Providence,
New Haven, New York, Philadelphia and
Baltimore to Washington; and almost
one and half times the length of an
airline from London to Glasgow.
In addition to this actual construction
the work of surveying and locating the
entire line across the continent has been
pushed with system and vigor, summer
and winter; careful engineering, and the
selection of the best of several possible
lines, have in many instances reduced
the cost of construction considerably
below the original estimates. Contin-
nous surveys and examinations have
been made from Lake Superior to Pu-
get Sound, with the exception Of a short
section OH the Yellowstone river, which
is now being surveyed. The results of
two years careful examinations more
than justify the Company's expectations
and statements regarding the favorable
character of the Valley Route to the Pa
clfc-both in respect to ease of railroad
construction ard operation and the good
quality of the country traversed by the
line. Exclusive of the sections already
completed CIR under construction, there
are $50 miles now being finally lacated
and prepared for contract. This in
cludes the section of 226 miles, extend
ing along the valleys of Heart river and
Glendive's creek, from the crossing of
the Missouri in Central Dakota, to the
crossing of the Yellowstone in Eastern
Montana. and the section betweeL the
mouth of Snake river and Lake Pend
d'Oreille, west of the Rocky Mountains.
The completion of this seasons con-
tracts. will give the Road immediate and
permanent control of the very large and
profitable traffic of the Upper Missouri
river. including the Government trans
portation in the Northwest. A short
distance above the point where the Road
strikes the Nissenri. the latter bends 10