The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-02

emergency, decided to build a belt line
paralleing the Northern Pacific be-
tween Portland and Puget sound, on
the old Union Pacific grade. One of
Mr.. Hills agents recently bought up
all the tax certificates against the old
grade which, it is generally supposed
gave Mr.. Hill control of most of the
property. In case Mr.. Hill fails to in
terest the Northern Pacific and Union
Pacific in this scheme of using a double
track from Portland to Puget sound
jointly he will build the proposed line
anyhow He would prefer the former
arrangement, for it would place the
Union Pacific in such close relations
with his road and make the interests
of three lines so identical so far as
local traffic would be concerned, that
the chances of disturbance would be
minimized 1t may be presumed that
Mr. Hill has carefully figured out all
the possible changes in relations and is
prepared to protect himself.
The Northern Pacific and Great
Northern general offices are receiving
urgent demands for harvest hands
from the farmers of North Dakota and
Montana, says the Minneapolis Times.
From reports which have come in dur
ing the past two days, North Dakota
will be seriously handicapped unless
additional men can be secured. In
quiry among the brokers ana employ
ment agents of ST. Paul yesterday
showed that there are no men obtain
able in the city.
1t was stated at the offices of the
Northern Pacific that the demand for
men all along that line was general
and urgent. 1t is still three weeks be-
fore harvest begins, but sufficient hep
cannot be found to supply the present
demand. Wages are going up. Unless
an unlocked for supply of men is found
during the next 10 days, field hands
will be securing higher wages than for
years, and many farmers will suffer
severe loss through not being able to
harvest their crops.
A rough estimate from reports re-
ceived indicates that fully $4,000 men
can now find employment in the har-
vest fields of the Dakotas, Montana
and Western Minnesota. This time last
year the movement West was marked,
the coast lines being obliged to send
out special trains for the accommoda-
ton of harvest hands. But not more
than 1000 men are thought to have
gone West for employment during the
past two or three weeks. The expla-
nation of the change which is offered
by the railroads is to the effect that
general trade conditions are far better
than one year ago and that the major
ity of men who went West in the fail
have found steady employment in other
lines. Plainly, 1t is not due to high
rates. for harvest rates are cheaper
this season than ever before.
The Northern Pacific is contemplat-
ing the extension of a branch south
west from Fargo into the great wheat
| fields west of Eureka, S. D., territory
now exclusively enjoyed by the Mil
Waukee. Surveyors have done some
work c said
make a favorable report. Eureka en-
joys the reputation of mark ating more
grain direct from the farm to the rail-
way station than any other place in tie
world, and it is a good place for the
Northern Pacific to reach.
A handsome new tool has been added
to the roadway equipment of the Short
Line, in the form of new steam steel
wrecking crane, which was built by the
Industrial works of Bay City, Mich,
and will be put in service on the Idaho
and Montana divisions. The crane has
nIting capacity of 40 tons and
| radius of 20 feet, and the entire mech
anism is placed on one center, permit
| ting it to describe a complete circle in
its sweep.
The effect of the increase in Yellow
stone park business this season is felt
by the Northern Pacific in the demand
TOT aCCpnlnlOudl inlS year s DuSl-
ness will be larger than ever before.
telegram received yesterday from Gin
nabar. the nearest point to the park,
stated that II sleepers We're sidetracked
there, waiting for parties making trips
through the park.
The net earnings of the Burlington
for June We're s461, 769, an increase of
74S over the net earnings of the
same month last year. The net earn
| 4.
were $6,47S,794, an increase of 1896, COL.
During the year freight earnings de-
creased $l.27269S, passenger earnings
increased $1315,976 and the total gross
earnings of the road increased $3.50
1852.
A test of its carrying capacity was
recently made on the SO,000-pound
coal car lately built at the Salt
Lake shops of the Short Line, and
under a load of $4,000 pounds the car
was hauled from Kemmerer to Butte
without evincing the slightest weak
ness.
The Great Northern and Northern
Pacific will stand by the tariff rates
agreed upon by all Western lines for
the transportation of troops, so that a
solid combine confronts the quarter
master general of the army. He must
pay lie rate demanded. 4-
NORTH MONTANA MISSION.
The Annual Business Meeting VIII Re