Daily inter mountain., 1900-03-31
IMPROVEMENTS.
ON HILLS ROAD
Reduction OF Grades and
Curves Will Be Made.
MR.GRAYTALKSOF THEM
Progress On the Verona Gut Off-Will
Be Ready By End Of June.
Other Changes.

Archibald Gray, assistant general
freight agent of the Great Northern, has
just returned from st. Paul, where he
Of the road on matters of more than
passing importance. Among other mat
ters discussed was the carrying out of
the terms of resolutions adopted recently
by the railroad presidents at the famous
New York meeting of March and 8.
Mr.. Gray discussed Great Northern i'm
provements in Montana, contemplated
and now under way.
There will be-" said he, many changes
made this summer in the way of reduc-
tion of grades and curvature. The prln-
cipal changes on the Montana Central is
on the line betweenl Basin and Wickes.
large force of men Is engaged IN the
preliminary work Of rock-blasting and
grading.
1.-THE Verona cutoff, between the vicin-
ity Of Big Sandy and Teton, is already
ironed and the bridges are completed,
leaving only the ballasting and the ex-
tensive rip-rapping, of which there are
about IL miles along the Missouri river
bank. Two trains are constantly em-
ployed hauling this rock from the quar-
rles at Armington. 1t is expected this
line viii be turned over to the operating
department by the contractors about the
end of June.
"The Benton cutoff is also progress
Ing favorably. About 5000 mem are en-
ployed ON this short piece of work, but
on account of the heavy character OF
the work it will be late in September or
October before the line will be COM
pleted.
"There are other improvements con-
tenlplated, among them change of the
kf~.> e. -shk {t4 \ a{rrknh nh0ps hnn nj
Great Falls, and a possible change OF line
between Helena and Silver with view
to reduction of grade.
ION the completion of these improve
ments the Montana Central railway will
be second to none in America. Taking
into consideration that the entire line
will then be ironed with new steel on a
solid road bed, with no bridges but the
latest improved steel structures.
1.-THE outlook for business generally Is
better than it has been for great many
years. The Asiatic traffic has grown to
immense proportions, and feel that it
is only in its infancy. Our Montana
velopment of the country. Our immi-
grafton department is meeting with
phenomenal success in securing the loca-
ton of sturdy agricultural families in
the Milk river valley. North Dakota is
becoming we'll filled up with settlers and
we are IlOW uetOtluS OuI dllcIVIlOIN. W d
great extent, in settling the agricultural
section of Montana, and the development
Of Industries, manufacturing and others.
"As to an increase Of power and equip
ment to keep pace with this growth OF
business, 40 new locomotives of heavy
traction power will be delivered us by
the Brooks Locomotive works during the
month Of April. The 400 steel cars to be
used in the ore and coal traffic ON the
Montana Central between Butte and
Great Falls will probably be completed
during May.
"As far as we know NOW, we will take
no steps to meet the Northern Paciflcs
double service. It is expected we will
run but one train daily between st. Paul
and the coast. The Cape Nome rush
may necessitate this train being handled
In two or three sections, but the business
! can be taken care of in this way just as
satisfactorily to the travelling public
! Our fast service from st. Paul to Seattle
secured us United States mail business
and we are still handling it to the entire
satisfaction Of the government"