The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-25

Sound q week ago was cut
short Il was sufficiently long
60 definitely mature plans Tor many AN.
portant changes TO be made on the Coast
division OF the Great Northern. which 10
no small degree will affect Seattle and
other important cities According to prs-
vate adyices received by q prominent local
Official from = friend In the 81 Paul or
Noes Of the road. before tbs time for the
completion Of the Cascade tunnel has ar
lived contracts will be let and work be-
run on a cutoff line from the main line
Of the Great Northern to Seattle. which
viii materially reduce the running time
on through traffic and open up country
adjacent To this city which has heretofore
been remots from railroad communication
While the main limo town from which the
cuf-off win be made has not been fuiiy
determined upon. Il II a settled fact. &C
cordsng to the report, that Mr.. Hill has
decided 10 construct the cutoff from either
one Of the three towns. Sultan. Monroe
or Snohomish, on an air line through
Cherry Valley to Seattle. this CUTOFF to
become = part Of the main line 10 b.
Paul.
The construction Of this tine. the inform
ant explains. win result IN the Everett
Seattle end Of the main linc becoming
Fart OF tho Fairhaven branch. for the ex-
fensson of which, from New Westminster
across the bridge and directly into the
9resx.ng favorahiy. The long-continusd
light on the part of the Canadian Pacific
road to keep Mr.. HIN out OF Vancouver.
e 10 authorifatively stated, In about to be
brought to close. and by the time OF. or
shortly after. the completion OF the Cas-
cade tunnel tho cars Of the Great North
ern win bu running through to the British
Columbia metropolis
Many other things are 70 transpire along
the Heaitie~vancouver branch which viii
tend TO be Of direct benefit to Seattle. aside
from their local value. II being practically
m assured fact that the Everett harbor
hill apprcpriating $4,000 will pass. Mr..
Hill on his recent trip paid much atten-
ton 10 the town OF Fairhayen. where Il
81 stated he has In contemplation the con-
struction Of n large ship-busding plant.
The natural harbor at this point. making
q an ideal place Tor such an establish
ment. has thoroughly impressed Mr.. Hin.
and while nothing In this direction may
take place In somc time. II has been dis
cussed aud made much OF by the railroad
president.
But. returning 90 the causes leading up
20 the necessity OF building cutoff from
ono Of the three pointn named On the main
lire: The track from Everett TO Seattle.
winding. as II does. along the coast. - not
only roundabout way, bat ono Of the most
expensive divissons TO keep open on the en-
tire system. During the last fiscal year
the company paid out to keep the track
clear from mountain mud slides. repair
ting washouts. etc. about Sc .0a. q small
part Of which. however. vas ape or the
FAirhaven branch. The yeas round. when
possible TO operate them. Erea: hydraulic
plants arc kept at work washing down the
mountain sides ard although considerable
money has been spent. the result OF the
work Ii hut slightly satisfactory. In fact,
this track cannot be kept IN such repair
as viii permit Of fast time being made
over II. Cherry Valley. which Is 20 be
travcrsed by the new cutoff. viii do away
with all this trouble ard furnish an In
expensive roadbed equal ia any Oh the
systsm-
Work on the new cutoff will be begun
according 10 the present plans. next year.
20 a. 10 he ready TO rs>ceive the first train
60 pass through the new csscsd. tunnel.
and further reduce the overland time TO
81. Paai by about SEVEN hours
II "a expected thar the tunnel will be
ready fer use some time in fAel The
work Is being pushed with the utmost
vsror. Large gangs. ia the full capacity
o. the hole. are being worked day and
night from both ends. The entire length
when completed viii he is.eac feet or this
already about stsa feet has been bur
yuwea, ard progress ~ being made Of