The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-29

The frst Official announcement that The
Northern Pacific is 10 at last build the
Palmer cut on has been made. President
G. 3. Me!ien, who is in Tacoma for = few
days. Is quoted as saying that the board Of
directors OF the railway company has au-
thofixed the construction Of short line
from Palmer to the line between Tacoma
and Seattle. and that route Will closely
follow the course OF the Green river 70
point between Kent and Aubura. 'Thss
line Is Of easier grades than the present
main line. Mr.. Melien is reported 10 have
said land while not materially shortening
the distance 10 Tacoma, win make limo
about twenty-five miles shorter than the
existing one to Seattle"
This announcement Ii a confirmation oe
the statements that have recently appear
ed in the Post-in,eiiigencer that tho di-
rectors Of the Northern Pacific had author
ized the expenditure for the extension Of
the line. and that It has been definitely de-
cided TO commence construction. The an.
nouncement was further made that tho
company was to erect docks and make olh-
er extensions in Tacoma. ''onec the affairs
OF the Tacoma Land Company are in such
shape that the additional land can be- Sc
cured" 1t Is also said that the company
will make various additions TO It's lines In
the eastern part OF the state. but aefinito
reference 10 this is lacking.
Il seems 10 those who understand the
commercial conditions OF the Northwest.
that the determination of this line. which
has long recognized no place on the map
OF Puget sound but Tacoma, TO make .
shorter route to the chief city OF the Sound
lt.. has 5o
cialiy be given q secondary place on ita
route.
As IL Is now. the overland trains Of the
Northern Pacific. which arrive twice .
day from st. Paul, are compelled 10 follow
the main line from Palmer. and around
distance Of shirty-three miles 10 Meeker,
and thence to Seattle. through Kent and
Auburn. The length OF the present route
TO Kent from Palmer. IS approximately
nifty miles while by the new line II win bs
only about twenty. The saving to tho
road by this shortening when IL IL consia-
cred what IL means 10 limited trains.
where every minute counts. win be I'm.
mense. TO say nothing OF the better grades
which. therefore. Increases tho hauling
power Of locomotives
The Tacoma service will. OF course. b
route, sending local stub trains In from
the main line mt Mesker.
The Northern Pacific Is understood to bo
connected with another enterprise TO &c, q
foofhosd .sn the rommercs, of Seattle. IL
being SAID that one az the organizations
that will soon begin the erection of coai
bunksrs here will be largely aided by that
company. The Northern Pacific II not
openly named as backing such an inststu
ton. for the obvious reason that Tacoma
would al once create a loud noise over
the pairabie realization that the impor-
tans part Of terminals os the only railroad
- has was slipping away TO what ia con-
sidesed there 10 be rival city. ana. per-
haps. would enact seine anti railroad iegis
iation that would seriously ssiscornmoae
the COMPANY
But IL is said By men who are connected
with sonie of these movements that shsrs
.s no question OF the substantial interest
of the Sorfhern Pacific In future coal
bunksrs ard sthsr Developments here.
which IT has heretofore confffcd 10 Taco
ma