Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-07-15
the P0ST.iMTElllCeMcER PUB. co.
Seattle. June 10. 1883.
soxrmggN PACIFIC OPERATIONS.

We extrac. the following from a re-
ported interview with Mr.. II. Thielsen
in the Ledgr. Mr.. Thielsen said:
ave are now working forces number
inc In all 200 men. and think we will
pe able to complete the work by the
specified time, namely. the Goth of Sep
tember next. IL anything at all inter
ferss IL will b. the difficulty of obtain
inc timbsr and lumber in suitabls quan-
titles The CONT actor, Mr.. Montgom-
ery, nov has mill run ling on the
C0lumbi, river. which is cutting 5000
feet per day, aud he has strong hopes
OF getting the link finished bv the ad-
vsrtised time OF completion. told Mr..
Montgomery lately that he should have
larger force of men, but he informed
me thu he already had all he could
work TO advantage. i think myself
that his 200 men will finish the road by
SEPTEMBER 10Th"
awhers are these forces at work, Sir.
Thielsen?"
"They arc not concentrated at any
particular ppint, but are scattered all
along the line, and are making good
progress. The grade is IN miny places
completed, aud large quantities of ties
and iron ars now being laid"
"Have there been any engineering
difficulties to surmount!"
sNone whatever. II Is all what might
be called smooth, unobstruoted route
from Portland TO Kalama. The road be-
ing built down the Willamette and
Columbia river valleys, no engineering
difficulties have been encountered
When We finish the ro,.d il will he on so
even and regular grade that heavy
freights will DO transported cheapiy.
The distance from Portland to kalama
is about 40 miles, and from Kslama to
New Tacoma, as you are aware, los
miles. making the total 1i5 miles. We
cross the river at Crossen's Rock. The
large iron ferry boat, intended for the
Columbia river transfer At Kalama, has
been completed In New York. II recol-
lect right, about ono month ago. and IL
IL now being brought around Cape Horn
iu one of the ocean steamers. II comet
In sections and IL very large and heavy
Although / fully expect and believe the
Kalama extension will be finished by
the time mentioned, do not think the
bridge will be In use before next spring
The ferryboat having been shipped In
sections, and being somewhat difficult
70 get IN operation. the contractor has
been allowed five or six months TO get /,
In place. But when wheat shipments
sst In this way, as is anticipated. We car
transport II on barges. These arrange
msnts are good enough, Mt least, for q
time, bat of course Il would be greater
pleasure for the Northern Pacific Rail
road Company II they could now load
-k>.A "a NUoll. hrs,,s, IL
rect TO New Tacoma. Each Of the barge,
which will be used will take ssfely l20(
tons. 30 we can get along very WELL"
Here the interviewer expressed de
sire for Mr.. Thielsen to enlighten the
public concerning the Cascade Divi
sion, and that gentleman replied as fol
lows: IL think the road will be built
very soon from Ainsworth to Yakims
City, and really now have the orders
10 build from the Stuck Junction ove'
The Stampede Pass. l would like &
have the forces at work nov, but there
q q great scarcity Of men. Meesrs
N0unan and Meyers have been anxious
oget additional men, but cannot Oh
tain them until the fishing season Il
over. We need men also at Clark,
Fork and on the Blue mountains, bu'
In that section great many laborins
mon are working in the mines. As soor
asths fishing season Ia over, which vii
be about August lat, We will put on for
81 Of men on the Stampede Pass. The
grade, according to the former surveys
b quite heavy, and Mr.. Willard has re
commended tunnel, about three miles
long. TO be constructed through the
pass. By this tunnel the grade will bs
reduced from say Ito feet to the mile q
say sixty feet. To tunnel under ths
pan Il will cost &l0o per foot, but when
completed the Cascade division viii
make the gran6est piece Of road to b
seen anywhere. Your city ought 4
now and do we'll. Il believe Mr.. Vii
lard aaid you could get cheaper rate
Aere than at Portland, but as t. his pre-
eine expression am uncertain. Al
icstland they are obliged todo lighter
- and have great many other difh
g1isa 10 overcome and contend with
wsAave Just put on force OF men on
4AclAer end OF the Cascade Division
Noexilhstanding the unavoidable de
~ hitherto the road will be built. Th'
company intends il. and will push the
vosk forward TO that end"