St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-08-06
RuIIn To RIrTrF

The JObberS' union excursion NAV bear
rich fruitage in more ways than were con-
templated. For instance. the eve single to
business observed that a railway system
with which st. Paul has nothing in COM
mon is bearing away from our trade center
millions of business annually which natur-
ally belongs TO us. This point was well
taken in the resolutions adopted by the Job
bers on their return trip.
Resolved, That the only subject OF regret
which we have encountered in our journey is
that the richest mining district of Montana
or Of this country, that of which the flourish
ing young city of Butte is the center, lying
directly in the path of the Northern Pacific
railroad, and legitimately belonging TO its
territory, is not reached directly by the track
of this grand national highway, but is acces-
sible only from Garrison by a narrow-guage
track, the intrusive offshoot of another and
foreign system of railroad, whose interests
are not identified with the chain of affiliated
territories which contribute 10 the northern
railway of the United States.
Butte City is the richest city Of its size in
this country, and for its wealth and popu-
lation is most desirable tributary trade
center to St Paul. This is the more es-
mountains of mineral now but in the in
fancy of their development. These ores
are low grade and require an army of men
to work them. This. of course, is a con-
dition which can but result in building up
pOpulOus center. The companies Operat-
ing these are among the wealthieSt in the
world, and pay out their money without de-
fault as it is earned for material and labor
1t is most urgently desired, therefore, that
St Paul should have direct communication
with the city. AT present ii is necessary
to break bulk at Garrison and submit TO
discriminating rates over the Union Pacific
narrow gauge. These operate as
a practical bar TO our trades
ever extending in that direction while these
conditions continue. There was a scheme
] on foot at one time to lay a third rail on
the Utah Northern to Garrison, and from
! Garrison on the Northern Pacific to Helena.
but it was never consummated. Had it
been, Northern Pacific trains could run into
Butte and Utah Northern trains into Hell
ena, with mutual advantage TO each.
! While the arrangement would not place
the Northern Pacific on as independent a
footing as could be desired by itself and its
patrons, yet it would have obviated the
necessity of breaking bulk at Garrison. Om
business men should urge upon the
Northern Pacific people the importance of
at least carrying out the third-rail project
The Northern and Union Pacific systems are
getting on basis of harmony on through
business; why can't they agree upon the
third-rail plan until such time as an abund-
ance of money and more thorough devel-
opment of the country would warrant the
Northern Pacific in building branch to
Butte and the Union Pacific extending its
narrOw-gauge line to Helena? The North
ern Pacific might meet the issue and de-
velOp new territory by building from Boze-
man to Butte This would tend TO solve the
fuel and grain problem at Butte. Coke
may be made at Bozeman and laid down in
Butte for just half what it costs TO deliver
the product of the Pennsylvania ovens
there. And in addition to this the grain
and other agricultural products of the great
Gallatin valley could be delivered at
Butte cheaper than they can be hauled from
any other point, and this would not only
build up new territory and open out new
mines, but would furnish an outlet for over
production along the line of the TranscOn-
! tinental.