, 1873-02-07
RAILROAD NEWS.
The Great Question Of Depot Fa-
ciiitieS.
Er. ]. F. Joys Project---Will There Ever
BE q Lake Front Depot 1'--The
West Side Middle.

The question Of depot facilities is one that
greatly concerns the public. The nearly COM
pleted, magnificent Lake Shore and Rock Island
Depot is the only present one worthy Of our city
aad railways. Considerable talk hes been ln-
dulged in regarding the projected union depot,
on the corner of Madison and Canal streets, for
the Pennsylvania, Milwaukee & st. Paul, and
Chicago l. St. Louis Companies, but no def
mite plans have been agreed upon, and the depot
is matter Of the undetermined future. The T.
linois Central, Chicago, Burlington Quincy,
and Michigan Central Companies are endeavor-
ing to induce the Northwestern and other roads
to unite with them in tho erection Of mammoth
depot On the lake shore. MI. Joy
every road entering the city
whether rival or onnecfion-alongside his
roads, at their terminus. rather than hnve them
scattered independently in distant sections ~
the city. His policy is juaieious one, and no
one Ct our railroad managers has worked more
industriously to secure for us grand union de-
pot Thus far his efforts hare been unayail-
ing, partly owing to the disputed claim 10 tho
famous lake front. It is quite certain that if
two or three such roads rs the Northwestern,
the Baltimore j. Ohio, and Canada Southern
were to join the companies already located upon
the lake shore. the ground embraced in the act
from Randolph to Monroe streets, inclusive
would not be sufficient for other than passenger
purposes. II is By no means probable, however,
TINT the outside roads will care to partic-
ipate in the interminnble dispute for
the possession OF tho lake front. The North
western has yet no pronounced plan for depot.
Like several other Companies, the management
Of the opinion that good supply Of steel rails
more serviceable than an imposing depot. The
Canada Southern will enter the city next Sep
tember and, if need be, can do 30 over the
track Of the Northwestern or Rock Island Roads
N. Had l+r A1n mr.
ties. The costly experiences OF the companies
that have recently bought their right Of way into
the city will impel others to seek an entrance
over existing 1ines. The right Of way from Ito
city limits to its new freight depot, on Hal.
sted street, cost the aeo Mnwaukee M st. q raul
Line Road-the new shortest projected line to
st. Louis-is u direct Rock Island interest, and
will uBe that Company'e track into the city.
The Chicago Pacific Road will be in operas
ton to Elgin early the coming spring, and will
bo vigorously pushed forward during the enau-
ing summer to connection with the Iowa DiEls-
ion Of the Illinois Central at Farler--twenty-
three miles west Of Dubuque. The Company
has not secured passenger depot facilities IN this
city, but has acquired ground for freight houses
on Goose Island.
The injunction restraining tho Panhandle
and Milwaukee d st. Paul Railway Companies
from running into the Fort Wayne Depot over
the Canal aud West Water street tracks, until
they shall have satisfied the Chicago d NORTH
western Company, will probably be dismissed as
coon as the proposed settlement is effected.
Contrary to reports in circulation the parties
seeking to effect connection at the corner Of
Fulton and Canal streets did not male any over
ture whatever to the Northwestern Com, 4,
the Court obliged them to do 80. The track is
owned jointly BY the Northwestern and Fort
Wayne Companies, whose officers are now en-
gagged in figuring basis Of agreement The st.
Paul and Panhandle Companies express their
willingness to pay fair rental for trackage; and
az no objections can be interposed to their prop
osition, the matter will very coon be amicab1y
adjusted. When this result is reached, the rival
through passenger line between Chicago and
Milwaukee will be inaugurated.
Since the granting Of the injunction, the ut
tempt to make connection was renewed but,
upon the aggrieved party's threatening to have
tie men arrested, and promptly proceeding to
execute the threat, work was suspended This
procedure arose from mistaken impression
gained by the engineer in charge that the matter
In dispute had been settled. Assurances we're
given that no further demonstration would be
nodo w;flout the consent of ali parties.