The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-10-11
THE TACTIC.
What the u. S. Commissioner of Railways,
w. H. Armstrong, Has to Say
Of this Great Line.

ESAAltC "A - Ss+A 2es@E
from his recent examination OF the west
EN- $50 miles section OF the Northern
P.,cific and the Central and Union Pa
cifc railroads. Having officially in
sptcted the western end Of The northern
artery OF transcontinental traffic, Conn
missioner Armstrong will proceed to ex-
anime the entire eastern extension 0. the
great railway, and tor that purpose will
start over tie line OF the Northern Pa
cific this evening. interviewed, Gen.
Arms. rong said:
. lett Washington in July TO make a
formal official examination OF the Nor
thern, Union and Central Pacific rail-
roads. I proceeded directly over the
lines of the last two roads and found
them in excellent condition in every re-
spect ard saw that both Were doing q
large business. Their lines are smooth,
tracks and ed 6rstelass, equipments,
ETC., OF the b,st.
On the Northern Pacific [ had a very
interesting trip. i went over the entire
western sSStloa ioiA eAo
scene OF present tracklaylng east, 8 DIS
tance Of $50 miles. / found that the
work OF construction Is progressing with
remarkable rapidity and in the best pos
sible manner. The cuts are VIDE, with
the sides clean, We'll sloped and well
gutteTed. Ine entertainments are oroid,
well built and very wide beyond the
ties. The road bed is just as good ash
can be made and the ballasting IS per-
feet. In my opinion fast trains could
even now be safely run over the entire
line. The construction has been very
effectively done, and | do not hesitate 60
say that the Northern Paci1lc's western
end is q fir3t-class road.
There is Q q very large force OF men
at work, and track-laying IS progressing
at tie rate Of at least one mile per day.
There was . little delay atone OF the
tunnels, hut there will be no further
hindrance to rapid work. 4 1ound that
nearly all The laborers were Cinnamon,
and [ was told that they were efficient
, workers. | found that at Tacoma thefe
is q splendid hafbor, and that some way
everything seems TO oe eXcep'1ollally
favorable tor he future prosperity O. tne
new and important fians-contlnental
route. ] was much Impressed WITH the
general resources OF the eoun1ry through
which the road passes. ihefe y SOME
worthless and along he me Whefe :
! runs through q barren SAND region oot1
I was told ihat Wltilii1 y snof1 ais'ss1'ce y
either side q the track me country wa
e4ual 20 tndt O sne sei'eLaA eAeeile' aA.'
II so il most excellent. he average =
! agricultural resources y uiisuIpassea
| while certain regions neaf great "eaiti
!. in minerals, ana otnef iocala5es axe pai
ticularly adapted TO stock growing. \
+ the way Or diVefslneo resources III
country traversed oy Inc % 1111Ies nov
{ &C m .).ettd IS prooapiy lsufpasseo any
! where. The ROAD runs lor y ~coflsloeiapl
V distance througl soihe % ,ils oess pm
and hr timber nave seen. iols rehi4ih
e able for its great length o fuih an
freedom from knots. rms 1nloel wa
soon be OF great Valae III ING u.
requirements OF the tfeeless counery III
4 side.of the mountains. Juagliig lfo1
g the scenery along 1ile ioate' ! s1ouaa %
that the Nortnefa facanc VIII, upon =
e completion, oeccfne AZ once q lasofi'