, 1898-08-23
NEWS Of THE RAIL
THAT TIE OREGON
Sf'.T LINE VIII BUILD TO
THE COAST
WIN Shorten the Time Ten Hours and
Distance Four Hundred Miles Be-
Southern California - Western

Within the next two years, If the peo-
pie who are most directly interested in
Irhe matter and who have been studying
it closely are not woefully mistaken,
the Oregon Short Line will be extended
to the Pacific coast, says the Omaha
World-Herald. Incidentally when this
is done Omaha people desiring to visit
Los Angeles can do so in ten hours less
Itime and by travelling 400 less miles
than at present, and products by
freight between the two sections OF
cuurtry will not be obliged to go by
way of San Francisco and pay tribute
no the Southern Pacific road.
The extension of the Oregon Short
Line is not the only railroad building
on which the people Of Southern Cali
fornia are now anticipating. as shown
by this article from the Los Angeles
Herald:
We recently took note of a statement
that the Rio Grande Western railway is
to be extended to the Pacific coast, as
Stunning that an outlet to tide-water
would be sought at Los Angeles, by ex-
tending that branch of the system,
which is TOW being operated to Mary
vale, in Southern Utah. The telegraph
ic announcement did not warrant this
assumption, but a we'll known railroad
official, in the confidence of the gen.
eral manager of the Rio Grande West
orn, yesterday confirmed cur view. He
is not willing to be quoted. but declares
that the extension of the road to this
city has long been contemplated.
1t now seems that the Western is not
to have n clear field. and that another
road will at once be pushed in this di-
rection. This is the Oregon Short Line.
whose southern extension-the Utah
Southern-is now operated to Milford,
4 point fifty miles west of Maryvale.
terminus Of the Western. The Short
Line extension has for a long time been
graded for a distance of lis miles, from
Milford, Utah, to Phoebe, New. and
leighty-five miles Of this ~route-bring-
ing ut practically to the Nevada state
iine-is to be utilized. Utah and Mon
tana parties have raised $500, 900 for
this work, and the Salt Lake Herald of
the 18th nounc that it will be be.
gun without delay. The Short Line is
back of this enterprise, and will operate
he road as soon as completed. The
journal quoted has this to say, amons
other things, of the undertaking.:
This is the most important piece of
abroad news which has been given
out IN Utah for a year, perhaps more,
and Mr.. McCune and his associates are
&c be congratulated on their enterprise
and the successful termination of the
negotiations which make it possible for
a new line in the southern portion of
the state. The Importance of the enter
prise canont be overestimated. It will
open a new country and develop min
ing and agricultural interests which
have hitherto been handicapped be-
cause of excessive charges for hauling
ore and produce by wagons. Tt will dis
tribute a lot of none among the peo-
PIE Of the state and make times better.
But beyond this there is another con-
Sideration. 1t brings this city eighty
1--WE miles nearer Los Angeles. and it is
believed that very soon the distance in
'ervening will be covered by a line
which will place California at o,pr
doors. as it were"
The purpose of the Vanderbilt inter-
ests to secure an outlet at some point
on the southern California coast is we'll
understood in railway circles. No route
seems more feasible than the surveyed
and partially constructed line from Mil
ford to Phoebe. and thence southwest
10 Los Angeles. E~ighty-five miles OF
the distance is to be covered without
delay. the funds having already been
raised. The proposed route of the Rio
Grande Western will not conflict with
the local traffic of the Oregon Short
Line. The one will be pushed south
ward to the Colorado river and come in
from the east, the other will be built
westward from Phoebe and reach Los
Angeles from the north. Each will tan
a virgin country, rich in mineral re-
sources. The one can no more afford
to tie up at Phoebe than the other can
stop at Maryvale. The construction of
the San Pedro breakwater and the
speedy inauguration of work on the
Ntcaraguan canal are likely to hasten
'tie extension Of both to Underwater at
Los Angeles.