The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-16
Is the Butte Incorporation Scheme
Of the U. P. to Check the
Great Northern2
An Interview with Hon. William
Thompson, Of Butte, on
the Subject
He Says the Great Northern Ii Not In II
and that the Union Pacific
Wants the Route.

AAOus WAA16u thompson, one OF the IN.
corporators Of the Montana Western and
Pacific railway, came over from the west
side yesterday. When questioned by an
INDEPENDENT reporter for additional par
ticulars as to the proposed line he was
rather reticent, but said as far az he knew
Jas. J. Hill and the Great Northern railway
had no connection with it, but he added that
the Union Pacific company wants to build
along the proposed route. From the tenor
Of other things said by Mr.. Thompson the
differences was thrown ont that it is Union
Pacific project and..is done to head off the
Great Northern. 1--WE shall mako the sur
vey and locate the line,' said Mr.. Thomp.
son, "and then sell out to any corporation
that desires to build''.
There is good reason for believing that
the Butte Incorporation ia Union Pacific
scheme. First, President Adams of that
road has been sojourning in Butte during
the week, and Immediately after his depart
ure the new incorporation was announced.
Second, it is known, and Union Pacific
officials have so stated. that their company
intended to do some extensive building in
the northwest this year and that Montana
would receive its share of the work. Third,
it is becoming matter of much Importance
to the Union Pacific to reach out for some
of the increasing trade for its line which
consists wholly of the Utah & Northern,
The Northern Pacific has been quietly, but
Persistently snatching traffic from the
Union Pacific by the construction of the
Butte Gallatin branch through the Jeffer-
son canyon, and by q system Of lateral feed
ers to the numerous small but promising
mining districts in that vicinity and still
more that are projected and will be con-
structed this year. has virtually captured
the business Of Madison and Beaverhead
counties. which was the legitimate prop
erty Of the Union Pacific. But lack OF
funds has compelled the Union Pacific to
stand by and look upon the Northern Pa
cific making inroa6s into its territory, and
the announcement that the Great Northern
would probably build to Anaconda and
along Warm Springs creek to the several
section, has prompted the Union Pacific to
have place left in Montana
to build for feeder for its Utah d North
ern line. It is evident now that the Union
Pacific has abandoned the attempt to cross
the main range and tap the east side from
the Jefferson canyon, but inseead 1t will
concentrate it's energies to corralling what
is left on the west side. The section
through which the new railway will run,
especially in Deer Lodge county, is one oi
great promise and already has some of the
Dig mines OF montana. Particularly is this
true OF the Georgetown, Gable, Red Lion and
Flint Creek districts. Further evidence that
the Montana Western and Pacific is Union
Pacific scheme, is in the announcement that
Anaconda, now the terminus of branch OF
the Montana Union, which is part of the
Union Pacific system, will be the starting
point. It is evident that the Union Pacific
| intends to profit by past experience and moi
allow the Great Northern to make inroads
upon thrifty, prosperous and growing sec
tion of country that will more rapidly de.
velop with the advent of a railroad.