Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-06-13
A HUDSON BAY RAILROAD.


roed, has been in the city comforting
with Foley Bros. the contractors as
ISOLATED with Donald Grant in the con-
struction, which is to begin immed-
lately.
Until now no definite plans for the
construction of this wonderful line
have been given out. and most promi-
nent railroad men in the United States
are skeptical regarding its utility or
completion. Before leaving the city
Mr.. Sutherland granted a Pioneer
Press reporter an extended interview,
during which he outlined the route in
its entirity and explained what effect
its completion will have on transconti-
mental traffic. No engineering pro-
ject of modern times has influenced
North American traffic as much as this
new route is expected to influence it.
ave have completed the surveying"
said Mr.. Sutherland, "and begin the
grading on Monday. We commence to
grade at point near Gladstone, Man.,
on the Manitoba and Northwestern
line, about fifty miles northwest of
Winnipeg, ond will work in both direc'
tions. Most of the work of grading
will be sublet to local contractors who
are waiting with large crews of men to
begin Immediately. The season will
complete 125 miles"
allow many men will be employed
Immediately?
Between 1000 and $1,000"
"What will be your terminals?"
"The exact terminals at Winnipeg
have not been decided upon, but the
terminal at the bay will be Port Mel
son."
"There is no possibility that the en-
terprise may be abandoned before
completion on account of impractica-
bility?"
at has been proven entirely practi-
cable, and will be completed. That is
certain as all the sceptics will find out.
"Kindly outline the entire route"
"From Winnipeg, $50 miles to Hud-
sons bay, running in northwesterly
direction to the north of the Saskatche-
wan, Where it enters Lake Winnipeg,
and from there direct to Port Nelson.
The water route from Port Nelson to
Liverpool across the straits Blong the
same ocean line as that of the domin-
ion steamers"
"How much shorter will this route
be than all other transcontinental
routes?"
"The rail route will be 1000 miles
shorter than that of the Canadian Pa
cific or any other possible transcontl'
mental route, and the sea voyage Will
be 300 miles shorter than via New
York. Even St. Paul will be near
Liverpool by our route 500 miles than
via New York, as the rail distance
from New York to hear is 1900 miles,
while to Port Nelson it will be but
1000 miles. You can see what this
will mean to traffic from the northwest
as we'll as the west and south through
the twin cities for Europe"
"Are you sure of having new ocean
line?
"For that the road is built. We
have already the new ocean line. We
have just completed arrangements with
the Milbourn company, one of the lar
gest in the world, to put on a complete
fleet as soon as the line is completed.
The contract calls for all tonnage for
ten years. Just how many steamers
and what kind of steamers the COM
pany will put on cannot say. 1t will
put on the very largest and best no,
doubt, and will put on as many as will
be needed to handle all the traffic we
can give them. 1t costs us nothing
The Milbourn company took five years
to investigate this route and decide it
is practicable, and as evidence they be-
Iieve it to be 50 they come to us with
this offer. The question of navigation
is settled by this arrangement The
company guarantees us the same in
surance rates as at Montreal and st.
Lawrence ports. Through the steam
ship company we have secured con-
tracts with underwriters at Lloyds for
the same rates as are granted at Mon
treal."
"When do you expect the new route
to be operated?"
"The rail line will be completed in
two years and the new route win be
operated in three years"
"You expect brilliant monopoly on
export flour and grain transportation ?
"Naturally. Navigation via the bay
route will be the best in fall and win.
ter. There may be a few distractions
by field ice in midsummer, but that
will not effect the carrying of wheat.
One great advantage we will have will
be our long season. We feel confident
that we will be Skipping wheat to Eng
land through Hudson's bay two
months LATER than il can be Skinned