New-York tribune., 1901-10-14
RAILROAD ACTIVITY IN SOUTHWEST.
IMMENSE TERRITORY TO RE OPENED UP b
THREE NEW LINES NOW BUILDING

THREE NEW LINES NOW BUILDING.
Los Angeles. Cal. Oct 10 (speciaD.-The area OF
greatest activity In the construction OF railroads
Is undoubtedly in the Far Southwest. To those who
have given any study the resources OF the coun-
try thfs cannot be surprising. In Colorado. New
Mexico. Utah. Arizona. Nevada and California
there is n body OF land as long as from New York
Chicago and 5 wide from New-York to Cape
Hatteras. which is not crossed by n railroad
There several roads which enter this great
country. but I'm passing from side to the other
from end 10 the other is obliged to take
circuitous route or to 10 the old time stage
Were this region not one OF great natural rich
ness the neglect OF the railroads TO traverse 1t
would not seem strange. But as a matter of
fact the country alluded 20 produces large por-
uon OF the output Of gold silver. lead copper and
other minerals. the annual product of these com
modities running into millions of dollars q year.
Moreover, this is country of great cattle ranges
and agriculture in many lines is being rapidly de-
veloped through the aid OF Irrigation
II there be added to the section mentioned South
srn Arizona and New-Mexico. only two railroads
are found to cross the region where the great rail-
road building activity exists. There is no longer
any doubt that three great railroad systems and
probably more, are Fastening complete the con-
struction Of roads across the region alluded TO.
Lake Railroad the Oregon Short Line and Rio
GTande
Clark. OF Montana. and his associates. among whom
II IS generally believed is James j. Hill of the
form junction with the Burlington at Salt Lake
Clty, mus forming new transCOHtinental
while incidentally developing a stretch of country
rich in minerals. between Salt Lake and Los An
geles, and finding outlet at San Pedro Harbor
the Los Angeles shipping point.
The second OF these roads is affiliated with the
Union Pacific, Southern Pacific and other roads
controlled by the Hartman syndicate will fol
low much the same route as the San Pedro road.
There is some mystery attached 70 the route to
be adopted by the Rock Island which Is now build
ing into FL Paso Articles of Incorporation of the
FL Paso, Phoenix and California Railroad Com
pany, filed in Phoenix a few days ago. believed
TO be for an extension of the Rock Island road
though there other movements In Southern
Arizona which may be for the road named for
some other road or designed to throw doubt on
the route TO be followed. 1t seems evident. any
rate, that the Rock Island is to reach Yuma cross
the delta of the Colorado River. where immense
tracts are being brought under irrigation and
thence proceed to Los Angeles, with a possibility
of a branch being extended directly westward from
the delta to San Diego.
1t is the general expectation in this region that
these three roads will he completed TO this city
within two years. thus bringing three trans
continental routes into competition with the two
which now reach Southern California, and opening
up better communication with that 20 per cent OF
the OF the United States which finds It's near
est available seaport at Los Angeles.