The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-06-04

There may be new traffic manager
of the Rio Grande Western. as the
management of that road is now con-
sidering the wisdom of such an ap-
pointment. This and other important
questions involving the future Of the
Western were answered in detail by
President Palmer, yesterday morning.
before his departure from Salt Lake
President Palmer consented TO an in
terview with The Herald in order that
several rumors which have been con-
stantly tackled on to the Westerns in
ner operations might be effectually set
tied. In abiding to the problem of a
traffic manager to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Mr.. Bah
cock, General Palmer said that it was
still under consideration. no determin-
alton having been arrived at by the
management
BENEFITS OF THE OGDEN GATE
WAY
Touching upon the topic of the bene-
fits to be derived from the opening of
the Ogden gateway, General Palmer
made a statement that carries with 1t
more weight than any other individual
expression yet maze on lne SAME SUI
ject Here is his opinion:
The benefits of such opening to Salt
Lake, Utah. and the adjacent country
heretofore deprived of any enjoyment
of this stream of commerce and travel
are of course unquestioned- The bene-
fits to the Oregon Short Line are those
which naturally come from indepen
dence and neutrality where a road is
important and strong enough TO COM
nd rThax- a analnpOr1c 10
tie benefits enjoyed by the Rio Grande
Western from the fact of its complete
independence and the possession of two
connections at its eastern terminus and
Through these) of many more east
ward from the Rocky mountains.
"A line of railways can sometimes
logically sacrifice these advantages and
get under the wing of one of its con-
nections when it is adequately guaran
teed against the consequences. But
when the guarantee has failed or is i'm
practicable for any reason, the junior
line has everything to risk and little to
gain by tying itself exclusively to the
senior
I think that the officers of the Short
Line. who. as trustees have to con-
slider above all the interests of their
own bondholGers, have acted wisely in
opening their gateway. Had the Union
Pacific which is a considerable stock
holder. been the only one. and the only
creditor, it might be looked on differ
emily; but in that case the question
could scarcely have come up, although
even then. the Union Pacific might pos
sibly have gained more as an investor
than lost as a connection from diverted
traffic.
Il expect. Of course, that the Rio
Grande Western. and all of its eastern
connections. will be benefited. and if l
am rightly informed as to the diminu-
tive percentage of the business of Mon
tana, for instance, which has been go
ing via the Short Line and Union Pa
cific. before their separation, I am in
clined to believe that we may all of us
down here. country and railroads, gain
by the opening without diminishing the
share heretofore gotten by the Union
Pacific. I hope so, I am sure"
NO EXTENSION BEYOND MARYs-
VALE
In reply to direct question as to
the probability of extension past
MarysVale this year, General Palmer
said that such a thing was not at all
likely. He emphatically denied that
the Western contemplated a road to
Mercur.
OF the reported increase in ore and
bullion rates ne said: There has been
no increase, I believe, in through ore
rates from Utah TO eastern points.
Neither he's there been an increase in
rates from the Tintic or other mines TO
Salt Lake smelters or samplers. But
ores can no longer be carried from
Tintic TO eastern points for the same
price a. from Salt Lake TO such eastern
points any more than they can or have
been from Bingham, or could be from
Deep Creek, We're some of your people
TO build 2 line 10 these mines AT all
events, the unwillingness to carry
freight over branches and extensions
for nothing, is in the direction of en-
couraging the construction of new
ones, as well as of escaping the usual
criticism against railways that they
sacrifice local interests to distant ones
Tor the sake of the long haul"
PASSENGER OUTLOOK.
On the outlook for passenger bust
ness, which has dropped off since
January l, the general said: Il should 1
think from what l have heard that I
you would have plenty of il, in and /
through Utah.
Reminded of the Westerns PROMISED
from Provo to Park City, I
President Palmer remarked: THAI is
awaiting the final court decision the
coming autumn regarding our rights
to build our located line through the
Provo canyon. We are certainly not
anxious TO build a railway in these
gorges up along the sky line. or to
create any new property with noun I
tain of stored water hanging over il.
We already have quite enough railroad
exposed 10 such danger, should il be
tolerated, down in the Salt Lake valley
near the town of Provo. However we
have no doubt Of the result"
What do you think Utah can do to
ward supplying a portion of the pres
ant demand for gold and copper prop
gold region?"
i do not know. All hear of Marys-
yale is favorable. but the district has
given US but little business vet"
The Nomad. conveying the presi-
iential party. will go over the southern
portion Of the line and then proceed
eastward.
BREAKING OLD TIES.