The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1889-12-12
ACROSS THE CASCADES.
Another THanSCOntinental Road Connect.
Ing Seattle and Yakima.
North Yakima 20 FulGIlI Her Des-
tiny ms n Railroad Center.

Seattle Press: A great deal Of curiosity
has been manifested on the part Of the
citizens Of Seattle as to what the Oregon
improvement company intend to do with
the SIS, ,O00, 900 which II recently borrowed
on a mortgage from the Farmers loan
and Trust company Of New York city.
At the time the mortgage was filed it was
explained that five millions were to be
used to consolidate the company's float
ing debts, and that the balance was to be
used in buying steamers and developing
the company's mines and the railroads
-connecting the mines with tide water.
The knowing ones refused to accept this
explanation, and claimed that some bigger
scheme was on foot than this. They felt
sure that the shrewd Elijah Smith and
his associates, who control the Oregon
Improvement company, are after bigger
game than that mentioned when they
negotiated the loan Of fifteen million dol
lars. With this cue Press reporter took
up the task and has unearthed some
news which will be hailed with joy by
every resident Of Seattle who has its best
interests at heart. III.
In conversation with gentleman who
enjoys the confidence Of the leading men
Of the Oregon Improvement company to-
day he said: "Yes, know why the
Oregon Improvement company borrowed
that $l5,OOQOO0."
"What is the reason?"
THE debts Of the Oregon Improvement
company amount to about four and q
half million dollars. The debt is to be
consolidated. This will leave ten and a
half millions for other purposes. Two
steamers are to be purchased at a cost Of
$3.50, 900 each. This will consume half
million. leaving aIsurplus Of ten..millions.
From one and three-quarters millions
to two millions will be used to extend the
railroad from Anacortes to some valuable
coal mines owned by the Oregon Improve
ment company on the skagit river. The
distance. is about 25 miles. This will
leave eight millions Of dollars still unex-
pended.
"What will be done with this amount? /?
will tell you. You may not know it, but
when 7. ]. Miner was superintendent Of
the Columbia and Puget Sound railroad,
which is owned by the Oregon Improve
ment company, he, at the request Of
President Elijah Smith, made a recon-
noisance Of the country west Of franklin,
with a view to extending the road over
the Cascade mountains into the rich wheat
fields Of eastern Washington, and on to q
conjunction with the o. r. & N. system
at some point on the Columbia river,
probably at Wallula Junction. You see,
1t is part Of the fight which Elijah Smith
has been waging so long against Henry
Willard. Elijah Smith, It seems to me,
has joined forces with the Union Pacific,
and has made that company his ally
against Henry Willard and the Northern
Pacific railroad company.
"As / understand 1t, Mr.. Miners re-
connoisance was to the south and east Of
Franklyn along the base Of the Cascade
range till he came to Natcheez pass. This
pass was pronounced by Engineer Isaac
Smith, at present in the employ Of the
Portland water committee, as the most
feasible Of all the passes through the Cas-
cade mountains. 1t presents no great
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