The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-04
Inquiries at Great Northern Office
Remain Unanswered.
MINING MEN TALK OF A PLANy
should the Road Refuse to Reveal
interchangeable Line II IL Pro-
posed to Form a Company and
Construct n Road From Republic
to Spokane in the Near Future.

There is much speculation among min
ing and business men in the eastern part
of the state regarding the intentions OF
the Great Northern in building into the
Republic mining district. During the past
two weeks many inquiries have been d.
rected to the general officers of the road
at St. Paul asking for statement OK
what will be done. AS yet no reply has
been received and the feeling Is growing
among those directly interested that the
promises alleged to have been made by
President James j. Hill last fall are not
TO be fulfilled this season, at least. A re-
port has reached the district that before
leaving for Europe Mr.. Hill decided to
leave the construction of the Wenatchee-
Republic line in an unsettled condition un-
til his return. Should this prove to be the
case 1t is agreed that 1t cannot be COM
pleted and in operation for the opening OF
the mining season next year.
l.. r. Cheney, well-known spokane
mining man, who is largely interested In
Republic properties, was in the city yes
terday. He has written to Vice President
Mellen on the subject. and although time
enough has elapsed for reply, none has
been received.
I'VE are in the position Of a man who
owns wagon, but is unable to secure
horses to use It," he said at the Northern
yesterday. "The development of the Re-
public mining camp depends largely on
transportation. We cannot do much until
Mr.. Hill does something or intimates his
intention regarding the construction OF the
Notwithstanding line. The survey was
completed four months ago. and according
to promises a good portion Oh .ne r pao
feeling is growing that 1t viii not be Duilt
this summer.
"If the Great Northern does not intend
to construct the Wenatchee line. capital
will be interested in a plan now being dis
cussed by mining and business men 70
build from Republic to Spokane. Contrary
to the general belief, this can be done.
good right OF way can be had and the
cost OF construction will not be more than
over Mr.. Hilrs survey,
The Republic district Is fully three
months behind other districts this year,
owing to the fact THAT we could not get
mining machinery into the mines until
the roadx mad dried up. This was not
more than three weeks ago. Some Of this
machinery has been lying at Grand Forks
all winter We made no complaint because
we thought another season would see the
wenatchee branch of the Great Northern
operating into Republic.
"A large amount of new machinery has
been placed In position at the various 1,,,
not be what 1t was predicted last year on
account of this delay, Il will be in excess
of last year, and will be a higher grade OF
ore. During this summer much machinery
is to be put in, and another year we VIII
begin heavy operations earlier
'srhe new lire of which ! speak can be
constructed wfnin six months, and unless
some intimation Is given by the Great
Northern as to what 1t intends to do we
will organize q company. put corps OF
engineers in the field and begin construc-
ton just as soon as We possibly can. Re-
public must have railroad If mining men
have to build 1t.
Color Is given to the report that the
Great Northern will not build in the fact
that last February the company sent a
man over the proposed Wenatchee route
to investigate It's freight possibilities.
While In Spokane. In speaking with
friend, this man Is reported as stating that
the country between Wenatchee and Re-
public would not pay in freight offerings
for several years, and that the line would
have to depend largely on Republic ores
for shipment. With the line in operation
that will permit OF a development of our
properties and an Increase of the output
of ore we can give enough freight TO sup
port the road Such report, however.
would not be encouraging to Immediate
construction"