Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-14
THE PEMBINA BRANCH.
The Reason why Trains Have Been Sus-
pended,


In accordance with the notification by the
contractor, trains ceased to run yesterday
on the Pembina branch of the Canadian Pacific
road, line sixty-three miles in extent, rum
ming from the terminus of the st. Paul &
Pacific road at the boundary line to Winnipeg.
AS there seems to be an impression at Winni-
peg that something unfair Is being done in this
matter, the GLOBE has taken some pains to as
certain the exact facts.
The contract of Messrs. Upper Willis pro-
vldes that they shall have the road ballasted and
IN running order by the LIST of December next.
Their contract calls for laying the track only.
tlons water tanks, turn tables, engine houses,
etc. The present contractors have nothing to
do with these matters, and after repeated calls
upon the Dominion government they have
withdrawn their train. There is not single
side track on the whole line, and water for the
engines has to be scooped out of the bitches.
The road is in dangerous condition for lack
OF ballast. and the contractors are under $685.
OOO bonds to have the work done December LIST.
Some idea of the work to be performed can
be inferred from the fact that it will equire
i've or six trains of gravel every working day
until the contract expires, to execute it in good
faith. Without q side track to meet trains or
any conveniences for operating, it will be i'm
possible to use the road for business and COM
plete it at the same time. The people of Man
itoba should call their government to account
and insist on the road being equipped for bust
ness if they wish to remedy the evil. Parties
have offered to do the necessary work which is
not covered by Willis Upper's contract, but
the Canadian government failed to respond.
As the people of Winnipeg seem inclined to
blame the St. Paul & Pacific road for the sus-
pension of the trains, GLOBE envoy called
upon Mr.. James J. Hill yesterday to ascertain
what justice there was in the charges. Mr.. Hill
very readily stated that the st. Paul & Pacific
had nothing to do with the matter. That cor
poration wanted to have through trade and
travel to Winnipeg, and greatly regretted the
suspension.
II cannot better show you," said Mr.. Hill.
''the position we occupy than to read.you a
letter wrote the Goth of last January to gen.
tleman at Winnipeg
Mr.. Hill, referring to his letter book, read a
letter, which, at the request of the envoy, he
was allowed to copy. 1t was as follows:
ST.. PAUL, Jan. 20, 1879.
John F. Balm, Esq, Winnipeg.
MY DEAR SIR: have your favor of the
l4th inst, and, replying, beg leave to say that
Mr. Willis is here, but SO far have heard
nothing about any change in freight matters.
As understand the terms of Messrs. Upper &
Willis contract, they have not the privilege of
either running the road themselves or of ar
ranging with any one else to run trains over
1t. The Dominion government alone can cut
the knot, and while we are very anxious to see
matters SO arranged that through trains can be
run and through rates made in connection with
our line by some responsible party, still, SO far
as our pecuniary interests are concerned, it is
just AS we'll for US to deliver freight and pas
sengers at st. Vincent to either the govern
ment railway or some responsible parties under
them, as we would get about the same rates in
either case.
The people of Manitoba ere really the parties
who have the most at stake, and it remains for
them to devise such means as they think best;
that will give them the full
benefit of railway and enable
them. to get the lowest rates
possible. Our position on the one hand is that
of close connecting line. and on the other of
corporation of a foreign State, whose interest
and control ceases at the boundary line and
while We are ready and even anxious to aid in
whatever way we can, at the same time it
would, think be hardly proper for us to at.
tempt to sayE how railway builtlby the Do.
its own provinces. The most we can do is to
cooperate for the general good, and that we
will be ready to do at all times,
Yours very truly, JAS J. HILL.
Mr.. Hill simply reiterated the substance of
the letter, expressing the hope that the sus-
pension would be but temporary. It
is certainly unjust to assail either the con-
tractors or the st. Paul & Pacific road in the
matter If the Dominion government had
ordered tanks, side tracks, freight buildings,
ETC., to be constructed, there would be no
trouble whatever.