Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-10-09
OREGON ssaOKT LINE.
An Interview with Chief Eaginrer
Cinrk-The Read VIII 90 10 the
soaad Chance for Waiia Waiia.
Wull III

An Interview with Chier Eagiarer
Ciark-The Read VIII 80 70 the
soaad-A Chance for Walia Waiia.
walla Walla Journal.
A Journal reporter called this morn
ing ON Mr.. j. A. Clark, locating engin-
Ger Of the Union Pacific Railroad. who,
with his family, on route to Oregon.
we're stopping az the Stine House. Tie
has been for some time past locatin Y
the line Of the Oregon Short Line Rail
way down Snake River, and has of late
been engaged in the long defiies of the
Snake River canyon. He pronounoes
the route a most practicable one, the
average grade being between six and
seven feet only. The main difficulty is
in the Great Canyon, where some very
heavy work will necessarily have TO be
done, but not nearly 30 heavy as has
been done time and again. along the
various lines OF the company. There
will be three tunnels in the canyon
two of 300 feet and one of 2,2OO feet in
length. From the Burnt River the line
will run short distance On the Idaho
side; then, crossing the river, will run S2
miles on the Oregon side; then on the
Idaho side again to Lewiston-the dis
tance fron Burnt River to Lewiston be-
ing 1904 miles.
Lewiston is an objective point be-
cause OF the favorable grades. The
company do not propose TO build the
road because Of benefits expected from
the couatry along Snake River, but the
object is to reach Puget Sound by the
most practicable route, which will be An
independent one Of their own.
Building operations from Burnt River
north down the Snake River will be be-
gun next March. The engineers cannot
complete preparations for the contract
ors before that time. But there Is no
doubt that the road will reach tide
water within the next two years. Mr..
Clark thought the line west from Lewis
ton would run nortn Of Snake River. un-
less some induosment was held out to
cause it to run south.
In answer TO the question II practi-
cable route could be found by the way
OF Walla Walla, Mr.. Clark said, Yes;
by crossing the river at Assotin." he
said that the road was completed TO
Boise river, aud by the LIST Of January
next would be finishe to Burnt river,
the junction with the .. Il. d N. line.
At last accounts these two roads we're
l3S miles apart, bat he thought from
the effort now being made that there
would be a junction at the time indi-
Gated. He also stated that they have
had competent engineer among the
Cascades for over two years, locating q
route through these mountains. The
country along the SNAKE river no pro,
nounced most inhospitable; what would
be found among the mountains,or what
might be developed along the Snake NO
man could tell; but his company we're
willing TO risk the future Of their road,
predicating their faith ON the wonder
full development Of this country during
the two or three years last past. Of the
completion OF the road at an early date
he had not the least doubt.
Mr.. Clark said that owing to the con
ficuratiou Of the country along Snake
river, large force could not be employ,
ed, but everything that could be would
be done to finish the road as soon q
possible when once they commences
building. The rock Of the canyon Wa
granite and basalt, and the tunnelinR
while difficult, did not present any Rrea'
obstacle.