Daily globe., 1881-08-29
The Northern Pacific and the COn,pany's
Policy.


Policy.
T. F. Oakes, Esq, first vice president of the
Northern Pacific railway company, as stated
in the GLOBE of yesterday, arrived here FRI
day, having just made an overland journey
through Montana and inspected the main line
and branches of his company's road east of
the Yellowstone. Yesterday a representative
of the GLOBE called upon Mr.. Oakes with the
purpose of obtaining his opinions as to the
traffic to be expected when the road is further
extended into Montana, and also such in
formation as he was prepared to give regard
ing the company's plans with respect to
branch roads and further connections with st.
Paul. The Journalist was politely received
and in the conrse of conversation asked:
Will the extension of the road to the mount
aims result in an exchange of commodities,
for instance between Minnesota and Montana,
large enough to furnish an important part of
the business of the road?-
Mr.. Oakes. Undoubtedly. The opening
of the line will afford a market in Montana
for products of Minnesota, similar to the ex-
isting trade between Nebraska and Kansas and
Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. In time
smelling works will be erected at st. Paul,
like the works at Omaha and Kansas City,
when the ores of Montana will find market
here.
@. Will the Yellowstone branch be built so
as to open it about when the main line is COM
pleted TO it from the East?
Mr.. Oakes. Such is the present purpose of
the company. 1t is expected the main line
will reach Bozeman, three hundred miles
west of Miles City, by the end OF November,
1882, and as the Yellowstone branch will di-
verge at or near that point its active construc-
tion will soon follow.
O. Have you estimated the traffic which
will come to the road in eastward ship
ments of leading products of Montana-say
cattle and ores?
Mr.. Oakes 1t has been estimated that the
annual rail shipment of Montana cattle will
reach 5000 cars, and that of ore there will be
the first year 2,000 cars, with an annual in
crease for some years of 25 per cent.
O. Can anything be stated now as to the
Black Hills branch, which was proposed
year or two ago?
Mr. Oakes. No, nothing has been definitely
determined regarding it.
O. How is it as to the branch proposed to
be built from jamestown TO Mouse river?
Mr.. Oakes. A line to Mouse river will I'M
doubtedly be constructed, either from James
town or from Glendive.
@. AS to the Casselton branch?
Mr.. Oakes. 1t will be constructed to the
boundary line this year or early next year.
@. We have had some talk here of connec-
tiOns to be made by your company from the
west and from the east with Manitoba rail
ways.
Mr.. Oakes. The plans in that direction are
undetermined.
Q. What progress is being made with the
Fargo Southwestern branch?
Mr.. Oakes. II will be completed about one
hundred miles next year.
O. With the branch from Wadena south
west?
Mr.. Oakes. 1t will be completed this year
to Fergus Falls.
@. And with the Little Falls & Dakota
MIR. Oakes. 1t will be completed to Morris
this year.
q. A local company has projected road
from St. Paul by way Of Mile Laos and
Brainerd to Red Lake River and this has sug-
gesled question whether your company will
not attempt to improve its connection with
st. Paul.
Mr.. Oakes. The policy of the Northern
Pacific, with reference TO its railroad system,
is based upon theory that tn fully meet the
requirements of Mlnnesota and The great Ter
ritorfes of Dakota and Montana, 80 soon to
become States il is necessary to have direct
connections with st Paul and Minneapolis
ana Lake Superior. With st. Paul and Mime
apolls because they are the commercial me-
tropolis of nearly one million people and are at
the head of the navigable waters of the Mis-
sissippi. With Lake Superior, that the peo-
pie may enjoy the benefit of cheap transpor
tation for heavy staples. The present connec-
ton with Duluthand Superior City is suffi-
cient, or soon will be, but with st. Paul the
Northern Pacific is desirous of securing con-
nection by positive ownership, and, acting
with this purpose in view, will next year
either acquire or build line from here to
Sauk Rapids. Beyond this no extension tow
ards Manitoba, east OF the Red river, is likely
TO occur for the present
At this point the GLOBE man ran out of
questions, such as he thought it fit for him TO
ask on behalf of the public and he reluctantly
closed his note book.