The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-17
THE RAILROAD DEAL.
Suspension of Work on the
Union Confirms the Report.
MILL MAY FINISH THE ROAD.
Portland Also Believes It--Dinicult
Work on the Belt Lfne-progress
Of the Great Northern.

The order 70 suspend work on the Seattle
ranch OF the Union Pacific railroad strengthens
he belief among railroad men that deal is on
land with the Great Northern and confirmation
found In the dispatch from Portland which is
printed below. Some 60 30 far as to say that
he deal is actually concluded and that the srs-
pension fs only temporary and has been ordered
E1th . view TO resumption under the condi-
IONS OF the agreement. 1t is known that the
Union Pacific Is not plentifully supplied with
funds, while the Great Northern has abundant
resources to go ahead with the work. The fact
ihat the Union Pacific first sought a traffic
agreement with the Northern Pacific to the
sound Is taken as evidence that 1t is not averse
% the Joint use OF the line with another system
4 this measure Of economy was favored under
Adams management, II Is argued that 1t would
Ind much more favor with Gould, who has en-
lered upon vigorous policy of retrenehment
MT. J. r. Mcdonald, In speaking of the sis-
pension Of Union Pacific work between Portland
and this city, said yesterday: 81 believe that
This stopping is only temporary, and that the
saflroad building will be resumed again in the
spring. You see 80 much money has already
been put into the line that In order 20 save that
expenditure the completion Of the line win be
necessary."
The dispatch from Portland above referred to
h a. follows:
PORTLAND, Dec. 16--[spccial Nothing def
pite Is known here OF d reported combination
between the Union Pacific ard the Great North
ern on the line between Portland and Puget
FOUND. General Manager Mcneil, Chief Engineer
Rogue and Resident Engineer Gates say they
pave not been advised Of any such combination.
The fact that the Great Northern is reaching
ouf Tor Portland business Is considered by many
- evidence that work will be resumed on the
6eatile extension before long. 1t is known that
FfeEidoDt Hill, OF the Great Northern, endeav-
bred some time ago 10 make an arrangement
with the Union Pacific by which he was to ioin
N the construction of the line between Fort
land and Seattle, the line to be owned and oper.
etcd jointly BY the Union Pacific aud Great
Eorknern, and II was about this time that il was
decided TO double the track on the bridge across
the Columbia Mt Vancouver
prominent railroad men think the suspension
m the Inc Is to give time to complete Iego.ia-
lions with Hill, to the end that he viii resume
work and complete the line. Before updertak.
Ing the extension OF its line to Puget sound, the
Unfou Pacific negotiated with the Northern Pa
ciiic for traffic agreement which would enable
y 70 reach the Sound country. The negotiations
were not successful, and after careful inquiry
Into the business of Puget sound and its re-
sources, the Union Pacific decided to build its
uwn line. The business, both freight and pas
tions 10 justify this step. Local officials
q the company assert that the pro-
aect was not undertaken to spite the
Northern Pacific. Whether work will be re.
stunned again Is doubtful. The Union Pacific
omclals are making every effort TO create that
impression.
The Portland Puget Sound Railroad Com
yany met today and formally ordered all work
suspended.