The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1877-10-26
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
New Railroad Line to the Pacific
The AsehIson. Topeka and Santa Fe
Through Line.


The AsehIson. Topeka ana Santa Fe
Through Line.
Its A inns and Plans for the Future
From the Chicago Tribune, Oct. 14th.
The people of the United States are
now In 8 fair way to secure another
through line to the Pacific Coast, in
dependent of the Union Pacific, with
out being taxed to death to assist Col.
Thos. Scott in retrieving his fortune
by paying for the completion of the
Southern Pacific railroad. The Atchi-
son, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad,
which is now running from Kansas
City and Atchis0n to Pueblo, has just
completed arrangements for the ex-
tension Of its line TO the Pacific Coast
without asking any more assistance
from the country than Is usually
granted tO'enterprise OF such vast i'm
portance. This road Is principally
owned by Boston capitalists, who have
long been aching to spoil the plans OF
former has been charging exorbitant
tolls on the traffic to and from the Paci-
&c Coast because his is the only line
now leading there, and the latter is
asking the people to build q line oil
which he alone will derive all the bene-
fits.
These Boston gentlemen have al
ready commenced tho work of ex-
tending their line, and they have
rendered the management of the road
to q gentleman whose reputation is
sufficient to guarantee 9 successful
carrying out Of the enterprise. Sur
veying parties are now in the field
from Pueblo west, to lay out q line to
connect with the Utah Southern,
which will bring 1t to Salt Lake City
and Ogden, where 1t will connect with
the Central Pacific. The distance Is
less than 400 miles, and there are nc
particular obstacles in the way. This
line will be superior in some respects
to Jay Gould's Union Pacific, and has
much less to suffer from rigorous
winters. But beside this, it is con-
templated to push the road southwest
via Santa Fe, and connect it with the
completed portion of the Southern
Pacific, which Is now running to Fort
Yuma, and is being rapidly pushed
eastward. This will spoil Col. SCOTS
argument that no one else than him.
self can give an eastern outlet to the
Southern Pacific, and that 1t will have
to be done with the assistance of the
nation.
The gentleman who will in all prob
ability take charge of the gigantic en-.
terprise is Mr.. w. B. Strong, General
Superintendent of the Chicago, Bur
lin4ton & Quincy railroad. The posi-.
ton was offered to Mr.. Strong several
weeks ago with such inducements a
to lead him to consider the offer favor
ably, and he has finally made up his
mind to accept, provided the directors
of the A. T. & S. +. will unanimously
consent that he shall have full con.
| troll without Interference from any
one. All the directors but one have
already acceded to Mr.. Strong's de.
mand, and this one, who Is also a Gi.
rector of the Chicago, Burlington 6
Quincy railroad, will undou btedly fol.
low the same course, having withheld
his signature thus far merely Oh &C.
count of his reluctance to see Mr.
Strong leave the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy, the affairs of which he ha!
managed with such signal ability.
Mr.. StrOng's transfer to more useful
and important fields of labor leaves q
vacancy in the General Superintend
ency of the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy railroad, and it has not ye
been definitely decided who is to fill
his chair. Were it not for the fac
that Mr.. G. E. Perkins, the present
Vice President of the road, is anxious
to sever his connection with the Chica
CO. Burlington g Quincy, he would
undoubtedly come here and fill the
place himself, but as it is, it is hardly
| probable that he will accept. TIL,
/ fhat M PoHkinS f5 =,
leave is, that he Is also the Genera
Manager of the Burlington q Missouri
river railroad in Nebraska. This road
as is well known, has been trying fo
some years past to compel the UnioI
Pacific to pro rate with it as far as
KearneV. The matter is now befor
Congress for adjudication, and vii
probably come up during the comm;
session. On account Of Mr. Perkins
connection with the Chicago, Burling
ton & Quincy, Mr.. Jay Gould has beef
discriminating against the latter road
believing thereby he would be able Il
force Mr.. Perkins to terms. Mr.. Rober
Harris, the President, and severa
other gentlemen prominently connect
ed with the Chicago, Burlington
Quincy railroad, do not like to hav
their line made the scapegoat for othe
peoples fights, and Mr.. Perkins, II
order to have his hands free and b
able to fight Gould to the bitter enl
without hindrance, has sent In his re
eignation as Vice President of the Bur
lington, which, however, has not beeI
accepted. AS the matter now stands
the probabilities are that, in the even
of Mr.. Strong leaving the Burlingto
road, President Robert Harris will re
sumo the management himself, and
1t becomes necessary to I'LL the positio
of General Superintendent Mr.. w. {
Smith, at present General Freigh
Agent OF the roady has the show 70
It. No better or ADLER man for thi
position could be found, as Mr.. Smit
Is well posted on all the duties appeI
tanning to this responsible position
having formerly filled the Office G
General Manager of the Indianspoli:
Bloomington & Western railroad wit
good judgment and ability.