The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-01-23

W. railroad and the NJ L. S. & w. have
contracted for only one year and in the
mean time one of three things may hap
pen, and the D. L. & w. have taken a
year to determine which it shall be- Those
are, either the making the present ar
rangement permanent; the building of a
line from Green Bay here; or the build
ing of a line from GreensBay to Kewau-
nee.
If it be either of the two former, well
and good. But suppose it be the latter?
What will then become of the boom?
There are several reasons why it mag be
the latter, and there are some strong in
d.cations tending to show that it will, SO
it is better for US, that we do not shut
our eyes to the facts or allow ourselves
to be lulled by feeling of security which
may yet prove to be based on delusive
hopes.
The d. l.. & w. railroad is a wealthy
corporation. They control leased lines
connecting the western terminus of their
road at Buffalo with the eastern termi-
nus of the F. & P. M. at Port Huron.
They own controlling interest in the
latter, also in the G. B. w. & st. P. and
numerous other short lines reaching from
Green Bay to Omaha, either owned or
controlled by them, counting their line
OF boats to ply across the lake as part
of it, is either the forty odd miles be-
tween here and Green Bay, or the twenty
SIX miles between Green Bay and Kewau-
zee.
Having the means to do SO, it is only
natural that they should prefer to build
and run their cars over their own tracks,
or those that they control, than to enter
into any arrangement by which they
would use the Lakeshore tracks for any
great length of time. If this is to be-
come the thoroughfare we expect it is,
one track would not suffice for the bust
ness of the two roads, and under those
circumstances it would be more natural
for the d. L. & w. to build their own
road than it would for them to have the
M. L. s. & W. build it for them and they
lease it, and virtually abandon the thirty
six miles of track between Green Bay
and New London. The reasons given
why the road might be built from Green
Bay to Kewaunee instead of from Green
Bay here, are these; the owners of the
D. L. & w. road are also the principal
stockholders in a great coal company,
the Leigh Valley, as we recollect the
name, and they desire to establish on
this shore of lake Michigan, great coal
ing station, from which they will supply
coal to the whole northwest.
1t is saio that Kewaunee possesses sew
eral advantages over us, in this matter
which this company have not failed to
note. First the excellence OF its harbor,
it being easily to enter and completely
land locked, it makes the best natural
harbor of refuge on the lakes. 1t is
large, roomy, and deep, SO that whole
fleet of coal-laden vessels might lie with
in it's spacious limits, no matter which
way the wind or how great the storm in
perfect security. 1t offers the very best
of facilities for the building of coal
docks, or such other structures as such
an enterprise as we have under consider
alton might need. The land is cheap,
and can be procured at prices merely
nominal. 1t is fifteen miles nearer Green
Bay than we are, and the right of way
would not cost one-half SO much per
acre, as it would from here, Kewaunee
county would give bonus of $4,000 or
$4,000, while we would give nothing.
The F. & p. NJ. steamers could ply be-
tween there and Ludington almost equal
ly well as between here and Ludington
the difference in distance being but a
trife.
These are some of the reasons given
why Kewaunee may yet fall heir to our
beloved boom. 1t is stated, and the
auth ority cannot be questioned that Of
fcers connected with this Delaware &
Lackawana system have been to Kewau-
ME made observations, selected property
for dock and depot purposes, and did
other things, which are not entirely con-
slstent with the idea OF either continu-
ing their present arrangement with the
Lakeshore nor yet OF building here.
The business men OF Green Bay and
Kewaunee are alive to the situation, and
are taking active measures to accomplish
the selection of the latter place as the
one to which to build. The people of
Green Bay realize the Importance of the
matter TO them, while they would be bet
ter pleased, perhaps, with line from
there here, than with one from there to
Kewaunee. they are afraid If Manitowoc
is selected as the lake outlet OF the road,
the branch may begin at some place far,
Their west on the line, and they be thereby
cut off, while if Kewaunee Is selected, the
road will be sure to pass through their
city,
Kewaunee, also, appears to be awake
and cOgnlzant to the fact, that her future
depends largely upon the outcome of this
scheme. A conference between citizens
of these two places, and the officers of
the G. B. W. & st. p viii take place in
Green Bay III few days.
We hope that orr fears are not well
grounded, and that we may yet realize |
the fruitation of our hopes. but while cur
citizens are reaching out with such eager
ness for everything in sight in the hope of |
a lot or building site, it might not be |
miss to hedge little By gathering in a |
few corner lots In kewaunee.
First publication Jan. %, 81.
NTAN1rUWOC COUNTI,-CfTf OF MAS.To- |
vi In INST t,Sr1rf