The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-29
PROBABLE DEAL.
Great Northern and Union May
Build a Joint Road.
COLD COMFORT FROM ALLEN
Poor Chance for the Right of-Way
Through the Observation-Disclosures
Contracts Let.

There is great probability that the Union
Pacific and the Great Northern railroads
will join in the construction of road
from Seattle to Portland. Judging by the
expressions of opinion of officials of both
roads.
While no definite steps have been taken
towards such q combination, there is an
evident readiness to enter into it. At
present both companies are at work in
dead earnest on the construction OF sepa-
rate lines.
all along the line between the Columbia
river and Olympia, is preparing It's ter
minals in Seattle and is securing right-of-
way between Seattle and Tacoma.
The Great Northern has nearly COM
pleted its survey and secured its right-of-
way, and the engineers have orders 10
push the work ahead, so that construction
may begin this fall Yet they realize that
three roads, including the Northern Pacific,
are not likely to find paying business IN
the section between Olympia and
Portland for several years TO come. Both
the Union Pacific and the Great Northern
are determined to fight the Northern Pa
cific in Its own territory, but they have no
motive for lighting one another, and each
could bring the Northern Pacific to terms
quite as effectually and at less expense by
uniting with the other than by building an
independent line. 1t is therefore probable
that an arrangement will be made for the
Great Northern to build one-half OF a line
between Seattle and Portland, and the
Union Pacific the other half, each having
q perpetual traffic arrangement on the
line of the other. They would not unite
in the construction of the whole line
through the medium of a company in
which each subscribed half the stock, as
there would be danger OF 'freeze-out"
whenever dispute should occur. The
above statement of facts and probabilities
is the result of interviews with representa-
tives OF both companies, who, while pro-
Tossing ignorance that such an arrange
ment was contemplated, stated their opin-
ion thatit would be good thing to do,
and was likely to be done.
Senator Allen holds out little prospect of
the passage of the bill granting right-of-
way through the Puyallup Indian reserva-
ton to the Portland & Puget Sound Rail-
road Company. In reply to the telegram
rom the Chamber of Commerce. asking
lin to urge the speedy passage of the bill,
re wrote on August 81 TO President Leary
nd Secretary Dodge:
am just in receipt OF your telegram inform
.ng me OF the activity OF construction of the
suget Sound & Portland railway, and express
az your earnest desire that its right-of-way
trough the Puyallap Indian reservation may
espeedily secured. exceedingly doubt if it
would be possible to do anything with the bill
sou refer to in the Senate this session. Some
inc since, upon question of excluding citi-
zen of Washington from a commission TO be ap-
poiated TO examine this reservation, with
Wow of allowing railroads right-of-way
through it. and for the sale of the lands adjoiu-
II g the city, ETC., a number OF members OF both
parties from the committee on Indian affairs
took especial pains to violently and bitterly
denouuce the bill you refer to as having passed
the House. Jones and German, on the Demo
cratic side, were extremely bitter in their de-
nunciation of it. while Dawes and Platt on the
Republican side seemed 70 view it in about the
same way. In fact ali branded il in the most
public manner as an attempt to rob the Indians.
In view of this expression. have little hope of
having anything done until by an examination
on the ground where common sense has sway,
the facts are set forth.
| send you a copy of the Record to SHOW you
the degree and intensity of prejudice that pre-
walls with the Indian commission OF the Senate
regarding this BILL
will do all in my power to help you in this
matter.
The Seattle az Montana road yesterday
awarded the contract for the construction
of all of the bridges on its line from Seattle
to Fairhaven. to the San Francisco Bridge
Company. There are four draw spans to
be constructed, one at the Skagit, one at
the Stiliaguamish, and two at the Snoho-
mish and thirteen fixed spans of Howe
truss. These bridges, according to the
contract, must be completed by January l,
1881. They will cost in the neighborhood
of 1925 900, besides the foundations, and
over two and one-half million feet of lum-
Der will be used in their construction.
The Olympia correspondent of the Posi-
IHTELLIGEgcER telegraphs: Plans have
been prepared for the Port Townsend
Southern depot at the end of Fourth street
bridge, and the piles for the foundation
and hulkheads for switch grounds are
being driven and the stringers being laid.
The irestle across the tide fats is rapidly
approaching completion and will be ready
to turn over to the operating department in
a few days. The only pile driving now going
on is for the bulkheads along the line.
When completed the entire work will cost
about $40, 900.
The Tacoma correspondent of the Posi-
IETELLIGESCER teegraphs: Five hundred
men are reported at work on the Green
River & Northern railway, and more are
wanted. Twelve of the eighteen miles of
the road are graded and ready for the
rails. and the track is laid three and half
miles to Cedar river, which is now being
bridged. King & Dickinson, the con-
tractors, have $500 men employed on all
their work, and say they are unable to get
any more. though they would like TO have
400 more on the Green River & Northern.
About fifty men are at work on the
James street cable road, and the number
will be increased daily until about 200 are
employed.
Four cars of wheat arrived Yesterday
from Athena, Or. and were transferred to
the elevator.
The double track of the Seattle electric
railway to Lake Union is finished as far as
Howell street.