The herald., 1894-12-20
THE UTAH SHORT LINE.

The various propositions under dis
sussioD looking to the completion OF a
railroad from Los Angeles to Salt Lake
are likely to receive decided impetus
in the event OF separate receivers
being appointed for the branch lines of
the Union Pacific.
One of the plans outlined for opera
tion in case separate receivers
should be appointed for the Oregon
Short Line and Utah Northern involves
the establishment OF an independent
system, with more power to change the
trsnscontinentsl situation than any
other com bination. 1t is said that Re-
ceiver McNeill, of the Oregon Railway
and Navigation company, is at the head
OF the plan.
As outlined by a bondhoder of the
Oregon Short Line, the plan is to COM
bine the Oregon Short Lins and the
Utah Northern with the Oregon Rail-
way and Navigation company in an in
dependent system and then secure q
California outlet by extending the
would require the building Of about 400
miles oil new track if the branch were
extended to San Francisco. 1t is worth
a careful study OF the railroad map TO
zee the effect of this move. 1t would
give the new com bination a ayste m ex-
tending from Ogden on the east to San
Francisco on the west, Portland on the
north west and Helena and Butte on the
north. By means OF the Rio GranGs
Western it would be a trRnscontinental
line in connection with every east and
west line via Chicago and St. Louis 20
these four important termini.
The plsn was frat brosched when Ed
win McNeill was appointed receiver of
the Oregon Railway and Navigation
company. This was under a ninety
nine year lease TO the Oregon Short
Line and Utah Northern, and the bond
holders of both roads naturally wanted
to keep their properties together. Re-
ceiver McNeill Immediately announced
his policy as free lance, and made
traffic deal with the Great Northern
on mutually advantageous terms. Re-
Gently he has practically duplicated the
contract with the Union Pacific, and is
ready at any moment to take the same
contract with the Northern Pacific.
The latter is fighting shy, however, as
Receiver McNeill sees to it that his road
gets none the worst Of any bargain.
The Oregon railway being thus estab-
lished as an Independent line, which re-
fuses absolutely to tie up solely with
any other, has put the main plan on q
working basis. As soon as a ma jority
of the bondholders OF the Oregon Short
Line and Utah Northern agree to apply
for a receivership separate from the
Union Pacific tne whole plan will be un
covered. In regard TO the Ca lifornia
extension from Frisco the main reliance
will be in the desire OF California ship
pers for com petitor to the Southern
Pacific and especially on the movement
now under full headway in Utah for
new California outet-a movement that
will undoubtedly resnlt in the building
through Southeastern Nevada to Los
Angeles. opening up one of the richest
coal and iron regions in the world.
With these interests combined, and
backed by wha. would then be ono OF
he strongest. elements in transconti>
mental affairs, it is believed there will
be no difficulty in arranging for the CAL
ifornia extension from Frisco, Utah.
There has as yet been no conference OF
Oregon Short line and Utah Northern
Dondholders on the subisct, bat in the
opinion OF the one whose ideas are here
given there will be no trouble on that
ecore. 81 there is general belief that
the main line OF the Union Pacific will
be the maiE consideration of the receive
srs- So faI as known all OF them are
more thsn willing to be put into possess
sion OF their property through receiver
appointed for the purpose.