The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-23
A TOUR OF INSPECTION
Northern Pacific Officials on Their
Way to the Coast.
PLEASED WITH THE TRIP
Herr Fromberg OF the Deutsch Bank
inc Lieutenant Kochsre Of the
Party-There Is a Proepec.
o. a Big Business.

A special train bearing a party Of
eminent railroad men. officials of the
Northern Pacific. arrived in Butte yes
terday morning and left again for Spo-
kane at 10 o'clock last night. The party
was composed of President c. S. Mel
len: Herr Fromberg. a director Of the
Deutsche bank of Germany. accompa-
MED by Lieutenant Koch Of the German
army: Z. ID. Adams. ex-chairman of
the board Of directors of the Northern
Pacific; j. M. Hannaford, general traf-
fc manager of the road; J. w. Kendrick.
general e. II. McHenry. chief
engineer; f.. NJ. Herr, superintendent of
motive power; w. G. Pierce of Tacoma.
assistant general superintendent. and
Charles Russell, superintendent of the
Rocky Mountain division.
The party is making a tour of inspec-
ton. chiefly for the benefit of Herr
Fromberg, who represents the German
holders Of Northern Pacific securities.
and who came to the United States a
few weeks ago for the purpose of look
ing over the property and reporting it's
condition to the German security hold
ers. The party left st. Paul on the
18th and since then has travelled over
every foot of the main and branch lines
between that city and Butte. and the
German banker has expressed himself
as well pleased with the condition of
the property and the evidences of gen.
eraI prosperity along the line Of the
road.
1t il Mr.. Mellen's second trip over the
line since he has been president Of the
road. He vas questioned yesterday
relative to the report that the Northern
..tG 1al 4n.N h- = n
the Spokane & Northern railroad after
a spirited fight for 1t with the Canadian
Pacific. His reply indicated that the
report was true. though the deal had not
yet been absolutely closed. He adj
mitted that negotiations for it are go
ing oil and said the party of officials
would tomorrow make a trip over the
road.
Mr.. Hannaford, one of the gentlemen
interviewed by a reporter for the Stand
ard, said they had found the condition
of the road throughout to be excel
lent and the prospects for big
crops through Minnesota and Dakota the
best he had ever seen, which meant that
the Northern Pacific would have an un-
~precedented business in hauling the
crops. He said business generally was
constantly improving.
Chief Engineer McHenry. in an inter-
view, talked about the road building
being done and other extensive inn
provements being made and in contem-
plation. involving greater work and ex-
pense by far than is assumed by n
other Western railroad. The company
Is building at present a total of los miles
of road. as follows: A line 81 miles
In Manitoba, from Hilton station, on
the Brandon branch. westerly; a branch
IL miles from Rockville station, on the
Rock Fork valley. The extension of
% % IN f.~-~ I.l Mat a. nr.s,
Bridges, through mining, stock raising
and agricultural country; an extension
of the Spokane and Palouse branch, i'm
Idaho, from Julietta to Lewiston. 20
miles. nearly completed; extension OF
Gray's harbor branch. Washington,
from Aberdeen to Hoquiam, four miles,
nearly completed.
w are completing the grade reduc-
lions begun a year & under the Ken
drick PLAN" said Mr.. McHenry, and
grade work lis in progress in the second
district of the Dakota division, James
town to Mandan: the second district.
Yellowstone division. Dickinson to
Glendive; the fourth district, Forsyth to
Bilrings; also tive Livingston and
Helena; also on the second and third
districts of the Idaho division; the first
district of the Pacific division, between
Spokane and Tacoma.
Fifteen new steel bridges are now
being reinforced by embellishments and
permanent steel structures. This Will
make over so miles of such structures
within the past six years. We will prac-
tically complete this year the replace
ment of all timber lining of tunnels by
permanent concrete and brick. We ex-
pect to widen entertainments, ballast
the track and replace light by heavy
steel rails over hundreds of miles. Then
we are making great additions and inn
ot n,,r farr,tvnlS and hnild-
ing many good depots. You know
about our engines-the best i'm the
world. We are adding a very large
number of these. and also heavier roll
ing stock generally. We always had a
good line. especially since extensive
work progressed under the kendrick
plan. but when that which We have now
begun is completed there will be moth
ing in the West to compare with the
Northern Pacific from the standpoint
of economy or excellence. 1t costs mil
lions. but our people seem to appreciate
the ultimate returns such expenditures
will bring them. There seems to be no
limit to our possibilities for usefulness
any more thar there is for u oppor-
t~unities for putting every part of the
system in the shape in which 1t can be
made the most useful
Soon after the arrival of the officials
in the city they came up town ana look
a walk about the city and met a num-
Der of mining and business men. Herr
Fromberg and his travelling companion
Lieutenant Koch, were very much IN
terested in the mining industry OF
Butte. but the party did not w
the time to visit the mines and smell
tiers. but they accepted an Invitation 10
return to Butte on their way East and
make a trip through the Anaconda
mines and smelters. h party VIII re-
~