The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-03
THE WORLD ON WHEELS.
Rio Grande Western Officials Making
a Quiet Tour Through
Montana
They Were In Helena Monday, but
Very Few People We're
Aware of It.
Credited With an Intention to Extend the
Limo to the Northwest-War In
Freight Rates.

The next time President Palmer. of the
Rio Grande Western, makes a visit to
Helena he might give the people a better
opportunity of entertaining him than he
did on Monday. Everybody has been look
ing for the Dillon party, but while the
Union Pacific officials have been travelling
by easy stages on their way to the north
west, the Rio Grande Western people take
a special and spy ont the country ahead of
them. Last week General Manager ID. 9.
Dodge returned to Denver after a visit OF
inspection over the road. and met Presi-
dent Palmer and Vice President Peabody,
who had come on from New York. A con-
sultation was held, and last Wednesday
the following party started west: Presi-
dent w. j. Palmer, Vice President Geo. +.
Peabody, General Manager Dodge, DR.. Il.
II. Lamborn, of New York, and Mrs.
Stephenson, General Palmer's sister.
Saturday the party were in Salt Lake,
but were very ~reticent about their move
ments: appearing, however, to be very
much Interested in the great northwest.
Monday they were in Helena, coming
by special from Butte over the
Montana Central. Manager Dodge
OEODpoU lQGO GA0 AAOA L oO1uO OAAiSO WAAiO
here, and without Introducing himself took
a number OF the publications relating to
Montana. After n few hours visit, the
Western car was transferred to the
Northern Pacific track and the party pro-
ceeded to the sound.
Speaking of the trip Of their special, the
Denver News says: There is more than
passing significance in the trip of President
Palmer, Vice President Peabody and Gen
eral Manager Dodge, of the Rio Grande
Western over the line just at present. The
Western has lots of irons in the fire, and
some of them are getting red hot. Presi-
dent Palmer and General Manager Dodge
are a level-headed pair, and they don't pro-
pose to get caught in any trap. Their line
has assumed such a commanding position
that it would be the most natural thing in
the world for some envious road to make
some combination against it. A big rail-
road contractor recently said that the Rio
Grande Western would build more miles of
railroad this wear than any other company
in the United States. This means that they
intend building west, for all the local ex-
tensions they could make in Utah would
not aggregate many miles. It is an ex-
tension of the Rio Grande Western to Boise
City.
There may or there may not be any sig
nifcance in the fact that the officials made
a trip up to Montana. The Rio Grande is
noted for its push, did more 10 develop Col
rrado by it's branches than any other line in
in that state. and it may be that the visit
to Montana was with the object Of looking
up the country with a view to future extern
sions. The road is credited with a desire
to extend its line to Los Angeles. but if
such alone is the case it seems strange that
Palmer and his party should como this far
north. The Western is ono of the most
prosperous roads in the west. Its stock is
going higher every day and the earnings
show about IS per cent. increase over the
same period last year.