The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21

Auk ~ CLlcuy COuuuCGtu Nv ulohu6 VI lkElHd.
ton. New canals have been constructed
during the year, which will furnish water
to several thousand acres of land, and a
large and important cannl has been COM
menced near North Yakima, which will,
when completed. bring under cultivation
over 100, 600 acres of rich farming and fruit
land in the Lower Yakima valley.
"There has been an increased demand
for lands in Montana, and the aggregate
acreage sold during the year was nearly
double that of last year. These sales are as
yet chiefly confined to the valley lands of
central Montana, which can be cheaply irri.
gated. and to grazing lands near the
mountains desirable for small ranches
General Manager Mellen's report does not
deal very extensively i'll figures, but it is Il
concise resume of the physical, financial
and general condition of the company and
the outlook for the ensuing year as we'll as
a brief but truthful review of the growth of
the various branches of industry from
which the company will reap a harvest of
traffic. 1T is gratifying to preface this re-
port for the years operations" writes the
general manager, with the statement that
the gross earnings show an increase of ST.
293. 4.S3 over the preceding year, and an
increase in net earnings of 81 ,625, 2232.97.
1.-The milage operated by the Northern
Pacific company at the close Of the fiscal
year was 3.774.8 miles, an increase of 3O9.6
over the previous year."
He alludes to the acquiring by lease of
the Wisconsin Central as notable event,
which has resulted in the most substantial
advantages "by strengthening its position
az trans-continental line, and enabling it
| to establish through first-class sleeping
car service. and a second-class tourist ser
| vice between Chicago Connecting at Chi
cago with all the eastern trunk lines) and
Pacific coast points. This is of Importance
in view Of the large passenger traffic which
| is growing SO rapidly under the extraordi-
nary development of the country served by
our lines"
AS to the prospects of the ore traffic, he
considers them brighter than for some time
past. The completion Of the Elkhorn line,
rs we'll as the Pony and Norris branches,
enables them to reach new bodies of drv
ores, which will afford large amount OF
Spokane and Northern is another line
which will also act in stimulating ore pro-
duction in Washington and the making OF
new discoveries in whole sections of coun.
| try near the lines which seem underlaid
| with valuable minerals. He views also as
| of the tonnage consequent upon the carry
| ing of supplies to the prosperous mining
| regions.
| Among these commodities is coke. The
mines of Horr, Mont, produced during the
year 4, 54S tons and Cokedale $500. the earn
| AuHS u VIC IOau from WHICH were S0O, az.
| 1.-The greatest proportion of coke useC
during the past fiscal year, he continues
twas obtained from local coke ovens il
Montana, state of affairs which has no
heretofore existed. These changed condi.
tions account for the increase of tonnag,
as against decrease in earnings, but d.
not hesitate to say that the net results ar,
more satisfactory to the company. A fur
ther advantage is gained by this disposition
of the trade, in enabling US to secure
much larger percentage of the entire con
sumption, for the supply of coke has beeI
drawn almost exclusively from local sta
J tions on our line in Montana.
} From this it appears that these Montan
, cokes have given satisfaction. With GU
own line into Butte We expect to increas
this traffic very largely"
The shipments of cattle from Montan
and western Dakota during the year were
Cattle, IS, 1856: sheep, 105, 600; horses, 9.6l4
There was falling of in this traffic, due
however. to the lingering results of the sc
market. As to the outlook for cattle ship
. ment for the season which Just ended, Mi
J Mellen said in his report:
"We can safely count on a larger move
. ment than during the past three years.
? look for movement this year of betwee
: 80.OOO and 5000 steers, from the fact this
, | the conditions on the ranges have bee
q very favorable for the past two year
while the excellent feed this summer wi
: put great many steers in good conditio
d for marketing. 1t is estimated by we
Y posted cattlemen that the number drive
g in during the past year from Texas, Idah
q and southern Wyoming will not fall shol
. OF $1,000 head, chiefly two-year-old stool