The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-31
CHOOSING A ROUTE.
Union Pacific and Great North
ern Men i'm Conference.
A POSSIBLE CHANGE OF PLANS.
The Choice Between the shore and the
valley Route ofthe Great North
ern to the state Line.

The party OF engineers OF the Union Pacific &
Great Northern railroads, which is to decide on
the route OF the joint road from Seattle TO Port
land, arrived In the city Yesterday afternoon.
They are V. q. Bogue, OF Omaha, chief engineer
OF the Union Pacific; II. v. Gates, of Portland,
the resident engineer. W. II. Kennedy, OF Port
land, the principal assistant engineer in charge
Of the locating; G. i. Briggs, Of Portland, engi-
neer for Fitzpatrick Brothers 4 Collins, the con-
tractors; J. II. Collins, of Omaha, the engineer
OF the Missouri Pacific; J. s. Cameron, OF Oma-
ha, chief Of the construction DEPARTMENT OF the
Union Pacific; c. r. Curtis. Of Omaha, and E.
II. Becker, OF Helena, the chief engineer OF the
Great Northern. They Immediately went to the
depot grounds OF the Union Pacific road, which
have been piled and capped They then went
together over the right way Of the two roads
ON Railroad avenue, and examined the Great
Northern terminal grounds at Smiths cove.
The party is at the Rainier hotel and win be in
the city for day or two. They are very reticent
as to their plans, probably Because nothing has
yet been decided, and say nothing as TO their in
diyidual opinions on the subject There is be-
Iicyed 10 be a difference OF opinion as to sorpe
points of the route The damage done to the
Great Northern eribbing on the shore line north
of the city ts understood 20 have created dis
position among the engineers of that road TO
run the road from Seattle to Tacoma up the Du-
vanish river instead OF following the shore, as
II would also furnish more local business They
are also in favor of strengthening, and thus
shortening the line al several points.
On the other hand, the Union Pacific men are
likely 10 adhere to the shore line, first of all be-
cause they are already committed to II. II is
also the shortest route to Tacoma aud affords
the best entrance into that city. The location is
already made and nearly all the rfghtof-way
has been donated by the property -owners. II
the river route were adopted a new survey
would be needed and rightof-way might have to
Northern surveyed line into Tacoma without
passing through the Puyaliup reservation, but ii
was long and crooked ono and would have put
the road at a disadvantage In competing with
TACOMA, Dec 3D. Engineers Bogue. Becker
and others, representing the Union Pacific and
Great Northern roads, this morning consulted
with Chairman W. J. Thompson, OF the terminal
fund subsidiary committee, relative to what ar
rangemeut, II any, could be made for an exfeu-
sion of time for the completion OF the Union Pa
cifics line to Tacoma, In order that the projce-
tors Of the enterprise might make available the
terminal facilities pledged by citizens Of Ia
coma; and which are valued at over quarter of
million dollars. Mr.. Thompson was unable TO
answer for the entire committee but. SO far as
he personally was concerned, said be thought
any reasonable extension would be granted.
The fund and terminal facilities were secured
with the understanding that the road would be
built and in operation by January /, 1892.
However, as the route ms planned and laid out
cost at the rate OF $4,000 per mile. the loss of
quarter of a million dollar subsidy would not
seem to cut much OF figure. when the fact that
Sitit tiiSfu ffo PIC 8DtA iulNHfu
down the distance from Portland TO the Sound
dozen or more miles. Is considered
Besides the shortening of the route there are
other important matters to be considered by the
Bogue- Beckier-Coliins party. Just how the ends
Of the Great Northern and Union Pacific will be
welded between the Columbia river and the
Sound the engineers will decide. At any rate,
Mr.. Collins. representing the Gould interests, is
highly pleased with what he has thus far seen of
Puget sound and the Northwest TO a CORE
spondent of the Observation-Disclosures he said:
This is magnificent country. IL has great
future Everything seems IN its favor. The
more see OF 1t the better like it,
Mr.. Bogue and his party went to Seattle at