The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-07-19
GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY, JULY 10. 1880.
PACIFIC EXTENSIONS.

ent, says: "Henry d. Minot, president of
the Eastern Minnesota portion of the
Great Northern system, has been up on
the Pacific coast for some time past.
When he left st. Paul 1t was given out
that he had gone on Il pleasure trip.
Since then, however, reports have been
current that he had some other end in
view than II mere journey of recreation.
A day or two ago F.. c. Cruger, also con-
nected with the Eastern Minnesota,
quietly left for the coast, checking his
baggage to San Francisco. He took with
him a full carload of office furniture. 1t
is nov stated that he will join Minot
in San Francisco and establish an
Office there. Just what this means is not
known, but there are some people here
who are of the opinion that it means the
construction of a line b ythe Great North
ern to San Francisco. This line was
talked Of some time ago, but its possibl.
construction was denied by Mr.. Hill.
The fact that Hill has already marketed
ten millions of bonds in England leads
many to believe that the original inten-
ton of the construction of a line to FRS
co, as we'll as to the north Pacific coast, is
to be carried out. If the San Francisco
line is built it will be a continuation of
the company's line to Butte. and run gia
Boise City,
MI. Minot is an intimate business as
sociate of President Hill, but 1T does
not follow that Mr.. Minot's visit to San
Francisco means an extension of the
Great Northern system to that city. That
system is now about to undertake an ex-
tension across the Flathead region that
will give it the shortest route to the
coast from Duluth or St. Paul. The
routeE will be through a region which
has a good climate, fertile soil and large
mineral deposits. 1t is well watered by
mountain streams and has forests of great
extent. This road will probably touch at
Spokane Falls ard proceed thence to the
coastiwhere the strongest inducements are
offered at both F%airhaven and Seattle. At
this side of the Cascade mountains, the
route will lie as we have said through a
new, almost unpopulated region where
branch lines from either the Northern
the Canadian Pacific are not likely to
penetrate. The road will pass north Of
the Flathead reser cation and will thus be
free from the delays, restrictions and an
noyances connected with Indian land.
In due time when the reservation is cur
tailed or abolished, the road will benef,
by the influx n settlers.
With this great undertaking On hand.
which is fraught with benefits for Great
Falls and all northern Montana, Mr.. Hill
is not likely to engage in building a rail-
road to San Francisco. When the Pacific
extension touches the Sound it will be IN
a position to compete for part Of the San
Francisco trade by steamboats, which will
ply between the terminus and that great
emporium.
There is no doubt Of a strong desire
the part Of San Francisco
for greater railroad facilities. Its traffic
with the east is ruled by the combination
shakes its and imposes
heavy freights on its products. The city
no relief from the once renowned
Mail Steamship company for that
corporation Is induced by a subsidy from
to forego competition. Tie
prospect of an m@ter-oceanic canal being
San Francisco lies helpless in the
hands of her captors, who exact all that
'the traffic will bear" Under such cir
cumstances it is reasonable that the Cali.
metropolis should look wistfully
toward this northern country, where, in
time. a great population will consume in
large quantity the wines, fruits and other
products of the Golden state.