The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-20
THREE CARS At A TIME
The Northern Pacific Will Soon
Load Ice.
IT'S A VAST IMPROVEMENT
More Heads Arr Expected to Fall Into
the omciai Basket-The Work OF
spotters-The Feeling Is With
the Conductors.

Missoula. Dec. 1s.-The Northern Pa
cihc Railway company VIII commence
this week to cut and ship the ice sup
ply from the Bitter Root river, one
and a half miles east OF 10 Lo. The
In which the loading is operat-
ed Is unique and interesting and Is
h most economical system now in
vogue In this western country. The
scheme originated with superintendent
Charles Russell and Roadmaster II. T..
Nalmer and is evidence of much IN
genuity n careful thought. A chute
has been built near the track which
will enable them to load three cars
simultaneously. This chute is
ed with a runway on which Is placed
an endless chain running into the
water. A six-foot passage way IL cut
through the ice. to where the cutting
Is done. and the cakes are showed
down this opening to the chain. which
carries the ice to the cars. The chain
Is propelled by steam power from a
stationary engine and 20 cars can easi-
ly be loaded each day. This system is
a Isl Improvement on the old way
OF hauling up the ice with a block end
tackle, and the company obtains its
summers supply for half the amount
" formerly cost.
Considerable speculation Is being in
dulged in by the trainmen on The
Rocky Mountain division as to whose
head Will be the next TO fall INTO the
official basket. Already several con-
ductors have been discharged through
the agency Of the detestable spotter.
IL Is rumored in railroad circles
that there are more to follow.
This circumstance ig daplora1 Inv Tho
citizens of this city and expressions Of
regret are heard on all sides. The dis
charged men are well and f%avorably
known to the travelling public. they
have spent the best years Of their lives
I'm one OF the most hazardous callngs
~extant. and IL is to be regretted that
they should lose their positions through
a person that is obliged to make a case
in order TO retain his own situation.
This is the opinion and feeling OF all
the railroad men here.
The amount of freight rahlc ON the
Northern Pacific H. much more n a IL
ever has been at this time OF the year.
Excessive tonnage Is being hauled by
the powerful "Klondikers" and the
trainmen who catch trains SO and 81
consider themselves fortunate. Tho
time consumed In running over the
division from Missoula to Helena is
from IL to 80 hours. so that the sit
uation OF a trainman is not a bed of
roses.
The Northern Pacific Beneficial as
soc'ation Is In a very prosperous con
dition. A circular has been issued by
the management. informing all en-
ployes that no deductions will he made
from the pay rolls for hospital dues for
the next three months.
The company hospital at this point
has 20 inmates. 25 of whom are con-
valescents. Gus Nelson. the express
messenger, Is recovering from a Sc
we're attack OF erysipelas and VIII soon
be able to resume his duties. The
many friend of "Old Gus will be
pleased to hear of his progress.
Divine services were held i'm the
building this afternoon by the Christ
ian church. The sick ward was taste
fully decorated for the occasion.
DIR. r. O.. Spottswood OF the Nortn-
ern Pacific hospital force has return
ed from a hunting trip up the Black
foot. He brought a deer with him. hut
the writer Is well informed that he
purchased II from a hunter whom he
met in his travels.