Omaha daily bee., 1901-01-27

tWCen Omaha ana chicago, ano the speed
Of these trains, though regarded as great
then, would appear slow in comparison
witt the remarkable time now made. one
| exclusive mail train eastbound and three
westbound now cover the 5O0-mle stretch
OF tho Burlington between Omaha and Chi
cagO every day.
The acquisition OF new territory in the
Pacific and the consequent development Of
trade has had on increasing effect on the
transcontinental mail, notably on the west
| bound mail II Is not generally known, but
It Is a fact that the westbound mail con-
sttutes 72 per cent Of the transcontinental
mail. That is the reason why the de-
mands Of the Postofice department for
westbound mail service are so great.
Along with the increase in the mail there
has been a wonderful reduction in the run
ming time OF Burlington mail trains. Ten
and one-quarter hours is now the schedule
Of one Of the Burlington mail trains be-
tween Omaha and Chicago and the run has
| been made in nine hours and twenty-three
minutes, fun time, or eight hours and forty
two and onc-half minutes actual running
time.
Union Pacific Influence.
The Influence Of the Union Pacific has
! been continuously beneficial Primarily II
is considered by many to be the cause of
| the construction OF the Iowa and Missouri
| railroads - Omaha. II was also the cause
! Of the expansion OF competing lines until
! Iowa, Nebraska. Kansas, Colorado, Utah
and the west constitute network Of sys-
tens as well as its own, amounting to
more than 10000 miles. Running through
the full length of the state from east TO
west. with branches radlatlng in various
directions 1t constitutes the spinal column
OF the business interests of Nebraska and
/ the transmissouri states extending to the
/ Pacific coast
! The decade from 1880 TO 1900 illustrates
| the substantial growth OF Omaha during the
/ period OF depression resulting from the
/ panic of 1898, which continued until It was
/ broken on the 1st Of February, 1898. when
! the Union Pacific inaugurated it's fast
| Omaha Denver trains. This was the key
stone of the arch OF the present prosperity.
/ The year 1897 had been one OF unusual com
| morcial gloom. The nation and people were
| poor. Like man rescued from drowning
| the throes OF recovery were painful. The
collapse had passed. The patient regaincd
/ strength. a directing energy was needed.
| This came with the act Of the company in
the Inauguration OF its elegant fast train
/ service.
! II was instantly felt in every city be-
| tween Chi, ago, Omaha and Denver. Men
| went to work The farmer ordered from the
/ retailer. tho retailer from the jobber, the
/ jobber from the manufacturer The move
| mcnt cnveloped the nation and soon was
/ heard the hum OF the munufactory the
whistle Of the locomotive, the movement Of
! well filled passenger trains and heavily
laden freight, moving the travel and traffic
! OF the nation over the Union Pacific and
| the national highways. A new era for the
west had developed and Omaha felt the
/ impetus among the first. In two years its
/ trade increased more than $50 600. 600. Its
| population increased nearly 1900 and its
wealth more than $40 coo, 400. Every store
| building became occupied Residences at II
suitable rent were sought. Colossal bust
ness blocks were erected.
! The Transmlssissippi Exposition with its
millions If visitors received liberal aud
munifcent subscriptions and encourage
ment from the Union Pacific and the adver-
| tising the exposition received from the
| Union Pacific was most effective.
The exposition gave men a chance to see
Omaha in its splendor, The Union Pacific
rose to the occasion. It increased its SER
vice. II hired more men. II paid them
we'll II secured the erection of another
| large grain elevator at the Council Bluffs
transfer-the largest in the west. II Sc
cured another beet sugar factory in Omaha $
tributary of Nebraska. II improved it's
roadbed and added magnificent trains It
gave Omaha additional fast mail trains and
sent them cast and west. 1t built the
Omaha passenger station--a model of lux
ury and convenience. IL employed thou
sands OF men at Omaha. It's employees are
| among Omaha's best citizens. It dsburses
millions in Omaha annually for current
labor and supplies. Its purchases from the
business men in Omaha constitute the warp
and woof Of the prosperity OF the country.
The development Of the forces along its
line win perforce make Omaha the chief
central emporium OF the United States.