New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-27
UNION PACIFIC'S NEW LINE.
WILL IT REACH THE PACIFIC CoAST2
AN EASY ROUTE TO BUILD OVER SAID TO HAVE
BEEN FOUND AND SURVEYED.

BEEN FOUND AND SURVEYED.
Salt Lake City, Sept 26-No little excitement
has been caused In this city by the positive announce
ment that the Union Pacific has begun to build an
independent line to the Pacific Coast. The officials
Of that company, both IN this city and Omaha, evade
direct answers when asked II this be not true but
your correspondent has learned from authoritative
sources that 1t is nevertheless true. Naturally,
there is great deal Of secrecy about important
movement stlL 1t may be accepted fact
that the Union Pacific will have a through line TO
California
For long time the Union Pacific has been hoping
for just this thing Starting at the Missouri River
and ending In the great desert, it has been
dependent upon ts connection with the Central Pacific
for entrance to the coast While the Central Pacific
independent company, things went along all
right for the dependence of the roads mutual.
but when the Southern Pacific stepped in and absorbed
the Central Pacific, the pleasant relations became
strained. Then, after trying in vain TO raise money
to build through the lease of the Oregon Railway and
Navigation COmpany's railroad and steamship lines
effected by the oregon Short Line, Union Pacific
auxiliary company.
This gave them coast outlet to Portland and, by
a new branch, to Spokane Falls They still kept the
longing for direct California line, and every
year one more surveying parties have been In the
field looking for available routes. Two wears last
spring they practically decided on a Southern Cali
fona lne and though they have been wavering since
between this and other routes. they have returned
to the southern route and have taken the first steps
toward its construction. The eastern terminus of
the line will be Milford. Utah. the southern end
of the Utah Central Railway and the line will run
southwestery into and Nevada, following the
direction of the Colorado River to The Needles.
From there it will run in a direct line through
CuyamOca to Los Angeles and San Diego. Thus It
will pass through valuable coal and iron fields In
Southern Utah and Nevada and into the heart Of the
California fruit country. The route is described an
easy to build over, and II will make the line 300
miles shorter between the Missouri River and the coast
The California section is under the of the Los
Angeles, CuyamOca and Eastern, and contract for
grading about sixty miles was let few days ago,
while the grading on sxty-mile section In Utah Is
about ready for the iron Three surveying parties OF
the Union Pacific passed through here few days ago
under sealed orders to Milford and it has leaked out
that their mission is complete the working survey
through to the coast President Charles Francis
Adams has Just returned from tour OF the entre
Union Pacific system, after spending ume III Cail-
fona and is said that he is enthusiastic over the
southern route.
friend of the Union Pacific Railway, who is largely
Interested in the branch line securities confirmed this
dispatch "There is one errOr,' he said; I" do not
think the line will be extended to the Pacific coast.
new line which IS an extension OF the Utah Central
will be built from either Frisco or Milford The con
necton will probably be with the Atlantic and Pacific,
for duplication of that line would be an absurdity
The junction may be at BarstOw, Cal rather that at
the Needles but at either point there IS an established
line to Los Angeles and san Diego The highest
advantage of the new line will be the development
of the coal and ore fields which have not yet been
penetrated. l am sure. however. that the president
and other executive officers of the Union Paclhc VIII
DENY the rumOrs of a southern extension. President
Adams Is afraid that his plans known ne might
incur the hostility Of the Southern Pacific or Hunting
ton interest"