Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-02
raE MuLLAN TuNNEL.

The fire in the Mullan tunnel, while
its extent cannot be ascertained at this
time, is the most seriousmishap that has
happened to that big bore. But it is moi
80 serious to the traffic of the Northern
Pacific as the collapse in the west end
last spring. Then, transfers of all
traffic had to be made over the mountain
because the track over the switchback
had been Ill a~dyisedly taken up and
much vexatious delay was experienced
In relaying the rails, surfacing up the
old road bed and in repairing the long
trestles. By Manager Cakes direction,
the track was not taken up after the
repairs had been made in the tunnel, in
order that the switchback might be
there for any emergency. The wisdom
of this policy was demonstrated on yes
terday when the frogs were relaid and
traffic moved on east and west oyer the
mountain with some embarrassment, of
course, but with comparatively little de-
lay. 1t was the part of good, far seeing
management, to have the track in con-
dition for overhead traffic. We do not
know what the policy Of the company
may now be but should not be surprised
to see immediate steps taken to still fur
ther provide for contingencies by build
ing the cutoff from the foot of the Gala
tin to jefferson to connect with the
Boulder Valley & Butte Line. This
would not only furnish the company
another, a surer and a better route over
the main range, but give them a shorter
!haul for the coal of Bozeman and Red
Lodge, and the coke of Livingston to
Butte, where it will find a ready and a
remunerative market. Even though the
embarrassments at the Mullan tunnel
had not fallen to the hard lot Of the
company, the carrying of this coal pro-
duct to Butte and Anaconda would have
warranted the construction Of this cut
of. We feel sure that the company con-
templated this important piece Of con-
structi0n at an early day wholly on the
basis Of its own merits and utterly re-
CARELESS Of any contingency, such as has
come up ON it through the fire which
Is now raging in the timbers of
the tunnel. And the construction
OF this cutoff would furnish a
shorter haul for other products than of
the coal mines of Gallatin and Park
GaRRftddssst 5HEhdAggfr ed4eddI Of pue uess iefne
great Gallatin Valley is a yeritable gar
den spot. Not only do they grow a great
abundance of grain there, but vegetables
attain their most robust development in
its rich soil. The surplus of these pro- !
ducts would find a market here If the |
shorter haul could be had, which would
be mutually advantages to both producer
and consumer and serve as a tie to bind
closer together two prosperous and pro-
gressive communities which have much
in common and should cultivate a closer
alliance offensive and defensive. There
Is a natural trade affinity between the
two communities, the promotion IF which
will prove mutually profitable. The
building of this cut off is not exactly
what they would have, but it is the most
direct connection that they are liable to
get. Yet, W. would not be understood as
taking the position that the people of
Butte or Bozeman are congratu-
themselves that they are likely to
profit by the fire which is nov wrecking
The interior of the Mullan tunnel, not
.withstanding the fact that they think the
adoption Of the Mullan route was an en-
cheering mistake. 1t is rather the mis-
ortune than the fault of the present
management of the Northern Pacific that
his mistake was made. The engineers
Who made it, are not now in the service ,
# the company, and Manager Cakes is /,
lot responsible for the location of the :
Inc that way. Let us rather condole !
With than rejoice at the misfortune that :
AS fallen to the lot of the company. Wei .
7ill profit, just much if not infinitely =
lore. by taking this view of the case. 4