Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1896-12-23
WEDNESDAY...~.DEC. 2S, 1896
J.C. AARTIN. EdItOr and ProP'r.
FUTURE KAILKoADDEvELorMENr.

That important developments will soon be made iu regard to railroad building in this territory, there can be little doubt. The recent visits of numerous railroad men in this section, has had more significance than has been given out. It Is quite evident that these visits have not been made purely for pleasure or curiosity. President D. B. Robin son, of the St. Louis X San Fran cisco, with some prominent capital ists. was the first to visit this section and to make somewhat of an extended examination of the re- sources of the territory. Following closely upon their visit came T. R. Gabel and s. Siebert, both promi- nent railroad men, and before they leave come C. :. Gleed and B. F. Cheney, prominently identified with the Santa Fe. It has been reported, asd apparently truthfully so, that the cordial relations formerly exist ing between the Santa Fe and the Frisco have been severed. The lat ter road, with a mileage of several hundred miles, practically, ends no where, and depends very largely upon the Santa Fe for its business.
 The Santa Fe, 50 far as its Cali fornia trade is concerned is but little better of than the Frisco, except with the connections now made with the Atlantic < Psci- f. railroad, which has heretofore been operated as a part of the Santa Fe system. The sale of the Atlantic & Pacific road. under fore closure of mortgage, is tO take place next month, and there is little doubt that this fact has had much to do with bringing So many prominent railroad men to the territory. The purchase of that road bY the Frisco company, would glve that line. sn outlet the Pacific Coast, with the exception of a few hundred miles east of Albuquerque. Should the road be purchased by either the Frisco or Southern Pacific, as has been suggested. it would necessitate the building, by the Santa Fe, Of a western connection from some point on its line. IL has been said that the Santa Fe will not enter the field for the purchase of the 4. X F., as the amount necessary for its Pur- chase is too great-more than they can build a new line for.
 IL is also said that some of the railroad mAgnates who have recently visited this section have done so ID the interest of other roads, probably the Rock Island, which has been gradually extending its line west ward towards the coast, only recent ly having purchased several hun miles of road in Colorado. Just what may happen as a result of the sale of the Atlantic & Pacific rail rosd next month, cannot vet be predicted, but that 1t will have the effect of materially changing the overland system of railroads, now seems apparent.
 The Deming, New Mexico, Head light, in discussing the question, has the following to say, based on one single contingency connected with the sale:
 "If the property is purchased by the Southern Pacific, the Santa Fe vill undoubtedly build their e1teu sion west from this point Co the coast, and recent utterances of those high ID railroad circles, indicate that this IS what will be done For the first time in the year. the Santa Fe Is now on a paying basis, under President Ripley's economical man Agement, and the determination not to attempt further to handle the Atlantic X Pacific property indicates that the time has now arrived when extensions can be made. The At lsntic & Psci6c has never been a paying proposition and the e1ten sion from this place tO Fairbanks will afford s better coast outlet than the northern road. Matters have been shaping 10 this end for the past year. and IL looks as fl Deming will soon have another railroad. Should the extension be constructed from here, division headquarters and extensive shops will be established. and Deming will be the most im- portsnt railroad center iu the entire southwest
 Of course, there are numerous towns which are figuring on different eout&gencies, and which, from their standpoint, will make them the