The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-28

them available, perhaps, one day in
each week The trouble in reaching any
kind of an agreement lies in the fact
that these rates affect the Great North
ern at the west end of the line, while
they more seriously affect the North
ern Pacific at the east end.
The Canadian Pacific, Great Northern
and Northern Pacific have agreed on
rate of $50 from St. Paul to Rossand
and the kootenai country, for the
round trip. One way tickets will be
sold for $3.50. The return trip tickets
are unlimited as to the days on which
travellers must return, which has not
been the case heretofore.
In speaking of the likelihood of
railroad being built into the Republic
country soon the Seattle Post -Inteli-
gencer says:
There has been much speculation
as to which line would get to Repub-
lie first-the Great Northern or the
Northern Pacific. But there seems lit
tie question that the Great Northern
is on the inside, although it's COMPETE
tor is nearer by 20 miles. But Mr.. Hill
is the controlling spirit of the Spokane
Falls & Northern, which runs up the
Kettle river country, within So miles
of the rich fields, and it is certain that
his representatives have made numer-
Gus surveys over all the available
routes; so there seems little question
that the Great Northern has watched
out for its future interests in that re-
gion sufficiently to be in position to
head off all attempted inroads by
others.
THE Northern Pacific is within, SIS
miles of the Republic which is that
distance directly north of Wilbur, on
it's main line. The Great Northern
crosses Crab creek 20 miles due south
of Wilbur, and would therefore prob
ably enter the district from that point
The route will be comparatively easy,
with the exception of ascending the
1.5O0 feet from the Columbia to CALI
fornia ridge, on the Big Bend plateau,
which would necessitate much switch
backing: and the mouth of the San
Poll river which for three miles Is so
muddy as to be almost impossible. But
once across the river. there is a fine
grade clear into the Republic, up the
San Poll valley, and from there the So
miles beyond into the Boundary dis
trict."
An indication of the better times en-
joyed by the railroads is seen in an
announcement of the Chicago, Burling-
ton & Quincy that on and after April
] it will increase the hours III all of
the large shops operated by it by two
hours day. During the dull times of
the last few years many of the rail-
roads were forced to close some of their
shops and to reduce the working hours
in those which were kept in operation.
As employees We're paid by the hour
this worked for economy. Traffic was
light, too, and there was no great ne
cessity of keeping all equipment in the
best of condition. Nowadays every car
10. M INV tif,o
road in the country, and the shop work
therefore is much heavier. The meas
ure to be adopted by the Burlington
already has become effective on many
American railroads and thousands of
employees who have been working short
hours now put in full time.
New York paper states that at
recent meeting of the directors of the
Northern Pacific in that city they au-
thorized the construction of several ex-
tensions, the total mileage of which
Will be about 165. One of these will
be a line running in northwesterly
direction from Portage la Prairie, Man
ltoba. through a, rich wheat country
which is well settled. This line will
probably all be built next summer. A
line will be built in Washington from
Palmer to Belt Line Junction or some
other point near Seattle on what is
now the main line. This will be cut
off which will avoid the immense loop
OF the main line entering Seattle. The
old route to Tacoma will not be dis
turbed. This cutoff will also be built
next summer The Sours line in Mani
toba will be completed this spring. there
being only about four and a half
miles to build.
The railroad expert believes that the
number of revenue tons hauled per
mile is the best indication of a rail-
ROADS ability to handle traffic at the
lowest cost of transportation. As is
we'll known. the receivers of the Bal
timore & Ohio railroad have been
spending millions on improvements
and have not completed the work. the
lines west of the Ohio river being in
need of general rehabilitation, which
they are to get this year. But the rev.
enue haul per mile in 1928 was in
creased to 3l4 tons and special re-
port for the six months ending Dec, 81,
1898, shows an average of 1919 tons,
quite an appreciate advance
1t is confidently expected that still
further Improvement will be shown
before long.
From reliable source it is learned
that President Hill of the Great North
ern has not abandoned the idea of es-
tablishing line of steamers from the
Pacific coast to the Orient. In re-
cent interview Mr. Hill declared that
MS line of steamers would not touch |
Manila, as he regarded the trade with
emma and Japan of much more impor-
lance, and while he said he would not |
equip such line. he did net deny that
racine steamship company would |
operate In connection with the Great |
Northern.
General Passenger Agent McNicoll |
of the Canadian Pacific said that he |
could only account for the premature
announcement that his road would
make rate OF $3.50 from St. Paul to
the coast through a MISUNDERSTANDING
in giving out the Information The re-
duetion now in force to the coast