The Anaconda standard., 1899-11-15
TWO ROADS COMPARED
Interesting Figures Relative to
the N. P. and q. N.
ACTIVITY IN COAL MINES
Scarcity OF Fuel in the East Causes In
creased Output in the West-Hilrs
Proposed Transcontinental
Line--Railroad Gossip,

A writer in the Wall Street Journal
makes the following interesting COM
parisons between the Great Northern
and the Northern Pacific railroads.
Most nearly cf ell roads does the
Northern Pacific approach the Great
Northern's figures, and its operations
in the last three years reflect very
plainly the adoption of methods such
as those which have made the Great
Northern so successful. Consequently
special interest attaches to this COM
parison which follows: The Northern
Pacific does a larger business in passen-
gers than does the Great Northern by
81 per cent. In the matter of passen-
gers the Northern Pacific makes the
best showing of any of the roads. In
the matter of freight, however, which
Is, OF course, the most Important item
Of revenue in Northwest railroad the
Northern Pacific, like the rest, is be-
hind the Great Northern. Its output
of freight transportation units is 13 per
cent. smaller. If the Northern Pacific
did it's business on the basis of the
Great Northern's prices for both freight
and passenger transportation the differ
ence in operating results would be more
marked. The Northern Pacific's showing
is, however, very great in comparison
with roads other than the Great North
ern.
b. r. Bush, general manager for the
Northern Pacific's coal fields in North
Dakota, Montana and Washington, is
paying a visit to the general offices,
says the Pioneer Press. Mr.. Bush says
the scarcity Of coal in the East had in
duced the Western mines to renewed
activity, and he expects before long to
see large amount of the soft coal used
in this vicinity brought from the West.
There is no scarcity of coal, he says,
west of the North Dakota coal fields.
Development Of coal mines is constantly
going on in various parts of the West
and the condition will soon be such
that all of the roads west of the Mis-
souri, river will find their supplies there.
There is revival in New York Of the
rumor current several months ago that
James J. Hill contenplates the estab-
lishment Of transportation line across
the continent from the Atlantic to the
Pacific by linking the Baltimore & Ohio
with the Great Northern through Sc
curing control of either the Wisconsin
Central or the Chicago Great Western
to f11l the gap between Chicago and the
Twin Cities. The scheme includes a
line of ocean steamers between Liver
pool and either New York or Newport
News to connect with the eastern ter
minus of his railway system, and
line Of steamers from the Pacific to GER
tain Asiatic ports.
The Northern Pacific is fitting all it's
coast trains with new wide vestibules
and is planning additional improve
ments for its local service.
The Northern Pacific earnings for the
third week in November We're $746,717,
an increase of S31,914 over the same pc
riod last year.
Thomas A. Merritt. land agent of the
Pacific & Idaho Northern railway, with
headquarters at Weiser, Idaho, was in
the city for a few hours yesterday. He
was accompanied by his wife and to-
gether they proceeded to Helena.