Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-05-19
BECKER BREAKS THE BLUFF
Settler For the Wild Canard About
the Great Northern

The Seattle PostIntelligencer of Sun
day last contains the following from a
high official of the Great Northern route.
that explains itself.
Mr.. II. II. Becker, of Helena, chief
engineer OF Jim Hili's road, arrived in
Seattle yesterday and with his wife Is
occupying rooms at the Raineer. They
spent pleasant hour last evening taking
In the sights OF the city, and We're aston
ished at the giant strides which Seattle is
taking. Mr.. Becker was in rather an
unhappy frame OF mind over the publica-
uon, IN various sources, of the alleged
route of the Great Northern road.
Inc route, said, "iS made an impos-
Slble one by natural reasons that no
power or ski of men can overcome. The
road which represent does not, and will
not and VIII not attempt to cross hills 800
leet hlgh on 1Ve-miIe gFaeeS We do not
contemplate a route through country
such as has been described. An eXamina-
tion of any official map will show that II
IS Impossible TO get from the Columbia
river over the cascade range, within the
distance shortened as reported. The
route described inaccurately from the
Grand Coulee to the Cascades is through
a barren waste. No railroad would be
foolish enough to build through such A
section OF country when route through
me rlch Nateryliie and Okanogan coun-
Try could be found, and we are of the
opinion that ii can be found
in regard to the LAYING of rails Won
may say that track will be laid in Seattle
within thirty days. We are doing most II
our work on the north end now. in order
10 protect our bridges over the Sllaplt
river, but soon a big force will be turned
on mere at this end and great results will
soon Iollow. TO be candid with the Post
lhtelilgencer, am more interested in
watching the progress of Seattle than i'm
giving pointers about the route of the
Great Northern road"
The Telegraph of the same date con-
talneu the Following, which is additional
evidence II II were necessary, of the inter
taiSity OF the sensational stuff of last sat
Hrday Seattle papers concerning the
IoILe ol Ihe GREAT Northern over the Cas-
Chief Engineer f. II. Becker. Of the
GreaJ Northern, arrived Yesterday from
tfelena, Mont, and will 90 out tomorrow
70 inspect the line. The bracing air of
the Sound has made Mr.. Beckier assume
a righteousness not usual with railroad
engineers. In reply TO the Inquiries made
ItSSpectlhg ms visit and the Intentions Of
the road as TO construction and contracts
Mr. Becker very politely said:
l nave no information 10 Give what
eyer, ana II wanted any | would look TO
the newspapers; in fact Ihaye a notion of
liischarglng the corps Of engineers and
hiring newspaper men, since thew have
,elected the route and Scooped the en-
Slneefs before we had decided upon it. Il
an very thankful for the Information We
have received. but / win not be abie TO
give any outline as to the route or what
me company intends doing before ! 90
away, and | cannot tell how long | will
'ematn here. We may let some Contracts
ind colonel Ciough may be here before |
,,,,Il, .east; Nobody accompanied me
lere except Mrs. Becker
Mr., Becker arrived at noon and spent
ne AFTERNOON with Principal Assistant
engineer w. T. Watson, consulting about
ne work. The contract for LAYING the
ans from Seattle to Fairhaven NAV he
e. st tomorrow, and probably when Colonel
"a tV yuil arrives ne VIII direct Mr.. Becker
ore he returns east