The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1893-12-22

The various railroad rumors that are in
the air about the extension of the Beech
treek receive additional credence from the
following special from Chicago on Friday
last. That there Is some cause, unknown
outside Of railroad circles, for the sudden
commencement of work on the Blacklick
H. the middle of winter, is evident To all
our readers. Whether it is the eXpecta-
tion that the Beech Creek will strike the
north branch of the Blacklick in its efforts
TO connect Connellsville and MahafTey. as
outlined in the special, and that the Penn
sylvania by the hurried movements will
have the advantage OF being first on the
ground. is question that We can only
guess at. The prospect for railroad
Scrimmage along the peaceful banks of
the Blacklick, will not bring sorrow 10 any
of the citizens of Cambria, and both con-
tending factions will be welcomed with
hospitable hands.
The Chicago special says: The most
important and significant piece OF railroad
construction in the United States is that
which will next spring connect the Lake
Erie system al ConnellsviIle with the Clear
field X Beech Creek railroad. - miles
southwest of Clearlield. This connecting
link viii BE- about - miles in length. The
Beech Greek would probably have been
extended from Mahaffey TO Pittsburg some
time ago, but for the difficulty in securing
terminal facilities. The Pennsylvania has
fought in every way TO prevent il obtain
ing entrance into the Smoky City. but
way seems to have been found to overaome
that obs Stacle.
The student of ralroading needs only
these facts to tell the results Both roads
are owned by the NanderbiItS. When the
- miles of track are completed it will give
the NanderbiltS access to the best anthra-
cite regions in Pennsylvania. More than
that ii will give them new Though
freight and passenger route from Chicago
via Pittsburg and Philadelphia TO New
YORK. The latter part of the route will be
formed in connection with the Philadel-
phia and the Lehigh Valley. 1t will make
"A mileage from Chicago via Philadelphia
tS New York of less than I.OOO miles. al
most exactly the present mileage of the
Lake Shore and New York via Buffalo.
by using the more direct and northern
lines of the Reading and Lehigh Valley,
the mileage can be reduced To almost the
present mileage of the Pennsylvania be-
tween Chicago and New York.
MS lldI " III Ut Cdfllcu out IN It's en-
tirety as early as possible next spring, and
Will be the most important move on the
railroad checker board in years. Aside
from the opening of a new through route
ii will give the Nanderbilts commanding
position in the coal trade. The date for
the completion of the work has not yet
been settled, but it will be early. The new
line will be exactly what the VanderbiltS
must have To meet the competition OF the
Pennsylvania. For six months the New
York Central has tried in vain to equalize
the freight difIercntials on seaboard bust
ness. The two cents advantage enjoyed
by the Pennsylvania on Philadelphia de-
livery gives that road an immense advan-
tage on export business. Only within
week has it been learned that the Penn
Sylvania positively refuses TO reopen the
differential question. Under the circum-
stances il becomes necessary for the Van
derbilts TO secure Philadelphia outlet
practically their own