The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-06
Great Northern Plans.

0ASNS
The Great Northern is said to have de-
cided to cross the Cascade mountains
through the Natchez pass. When the
Northern Pacific was making surveys for its
line through Washington, Nstchez pass
was considered one of the best places to
construct q line over the mountains. Sur
veys were made of the pass and plans were
carefully prepared. The surveyors OF the
Great Northern nave been at work for sew
eral months in the Cascades securing infor-
nation to aid the company IN selecting a
pass. It was said they have been unable to
find a better pass for the line than the
Natohez, and that President Hill called
upon the Northern Pacific to give him what
Information was possessed by its officials IN
referencsito it. 81 have heard the North
ern Pacific has turned over its maps, surveys
and plans to the Great Northern" said
Agent Ieman. but how mnch truth there
igsIiia. the report I don't know
Tracklaying on the Great Northern rail-
road begins about May Is from the juno
ton with the Fairhaven & Southern rail-
track will be laid to Mount Vernon and
from Seattle the rest of the way. 1t may
be decided to lay track simultaneously
from both directions, but this is not
likely.
Ger Becker will be in Seattle about May Is,
probably to arrange for the fna location
Of the line across the mountains. Some
arrangement may also be made for begin
ming construction on the Portland line.
As the Union Pacific has only resumed work
south of Csntralia, the inference is drawn
that the Great Northern will build tho
northern end as originally agreed.
The preliminary surveys for the line
across the mountains have been completed
with the apparent exception of the Skyko-
mish river route. Engineer Stevens is now
at the summit OF the mountains. abou
twenty miles above Sultan, and from this
fact those interested in that route infer that
it has been selected. Official information
ID that no selection has been made. All the
other engineers in the field and d%raughts-
men in the Fairhaven Office have been dis
charged, implying that field work is over.
The War is Over.
A meeting was held at New York the
other day composed of the Representatives
of railroads interested in the recent West
Shore and 500 line cut to st. Paul. Trunk
Lines COMMISSIONS Goddard presided.
The New York Central, West Shore, Penn
%sylyania, Ontario O. Western, Erie and
Lackawanna were represented; also the
Western Freight association, by MIR.
Midgely, and the Central Traffic a%ssocia-
ton by Mr.. Blanchard. Some delegates
from northwestern roads were also present.
Afterward Mr. Goddard said:
The rate war will now end. We have
agreed to drop the $1.o7 tariff from New
York to st. Paul and the Sl.04 from Boston
to st. Paul on West Shore and Canadian
Pacific lines. The representatives of both
roads were satisfied. The roads will be
given ten days notice of the agreement to
drop the present tariff. The question as to
<1n rirhfc 81 tI1 Mat Shoe I'D n 4 - -; o.
Western to a ditferential rate was referred
to a special committee of representatives of
the trunk lines, the lake lines, the Canadian
lines Il the western lines.
Railways Notes.
Ii is understood that Jay Gould and ths
Equitable Life Insurance company will
take all the new five per cent. collateral
bonds of the Union Pacific that NAV bt
necessary to cancel the floating debt.
The statement of the Canadian Paeifc TO
March, as compared with that of the CORE
spending month of the previous year. show
earnings of S491 GOO, an increase of SiO4 ,O0C
The earnings for the first quarter of 1S9
were ST, i64, 600, showing an increase O
$396.OOO over the same period last year.
The Northern Paoific's fast mail train
"The White MAIL is to run between s.
Paul and the Pacific coast and be an indie
StAeS Ne ~ 'ASSs SuyS S-S L wv
Press. 1t will break the record for fas
time. making the coast from st. Paul /
sixty hours. The cars will be painte
white.
George A. Butler, chief clerk of I'll
passenger department of the Great Nortl
ern, has resigned. He will return t
Boston, where he will act
travelling passenger agent of the compan
a position he formerly held. A. A. Hear,
of the Traas-Missourl association, will SUI
ceed Mr.. Butler.
Mr.. j. H. Hubbard, travelling passeng,
agent of the Montana Central, has resignt
that position, to devote his time to interes
recently acquired in the Flathead countr
Mr.. Hubbard is one of the most experienc,
railroad men in Montana, and his departu
from Helena is much regretted by his MAJ
riend The fact that the new ventu
offers superior inducements is the reas,
Mr.. Hubbard makes the change.
$500 for n Needle.