Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-03
MILWAUKEE AIMS At COAST
RumOr that it win Soon Begin Extension
to the Pacific,
WILL GIVE COMPETITION TO HILL LINES
Heavy Rain lakes Trouble for some
Rosds-Rock Island May Dis
continue Use of Union
Pacific Tracks.

That the Chicago. Milwaukee & st. Paul
railroad VIII soon begin the extension Of it's
line to the Pacific coast is admitted in
railway circles. 1t is also confirmed that
the road has a large reserve fund for the
completion Of this important piece OF work.
The exact amount which has been laid aside
for this purpose lie said to be $40. 900. 900.
Not all Of this may be used in the actual
construction, possibly, but the entire amount
is to be consumed by the Milwaukee in pro-
tecting Its interests In the northwest from
Hill invasion.
The reason for the Milwaukee's decision
TO hasten the extension Of it's line to the
Pacific is said to be the aggression Of the
Great Northern to build into what is COM
monty known as Milwaukee territory. II
was generally admitted during the North
ern Pacific -Burlington furry in Wall street
last year that James J. Hill was not only
reaching out for the Burlington, but also
had his eye on the property Of the Chicago,
Milwaukee a st. Paul. and II was even re-
ported at one time during this period Of
railroad speculation that the Minnesota
magnate had actually acquired control Of
the coveted line. This report later proved
to be Incorrect.
Hills purpose, II was said, in attempting
the purchase Of the Milwaukee, was to shut
on another competing line to the Pacific
coast, which even then It was believed
would, sooner or later, develop from the
Milwaukee. His failure In absorbing this
possible rival had the effect Of stimulating
his determination to beat the Milwaukee
IN all events and his means OF accomplish
Ing that feat, as has been shown, is to PEN
citrate the territory in the northwest
traversed, or likely to be traversed, by the
Milwaukee. wherever this is possible.
The Mi~lwaukee's western erminus Is at
Evarts, s. D., and It's purpose is to run Its
line up to Boulder. Mont, with a branch
TO Helena. to which Hills Great Northern
diverts on its Butte spur. Having reached
Helena. the Milwaukee will then proceed
TO the coast by way Of Lolo pass, termi-
mating at Seattle, Hills great stronghold.
There Is nothing which the Hill forces
can do now, 1t is believed, to offset or OBJ
struct these plans OF the Milwaukee, and
the latter company has determined to pro-
coed with it's scheme as rapidly as possible.
There u talk OF the Great Northern ex-
tending its line from Aberdeen, s. D.. out
to Evarts, on a straight line, thus paral-
telling the Milwaukee tracks. but even
should such a plan be followed It could not
be relied upon to defeat any Of the larger
plans laid by the Milwaukee.
Raius Cause washouts.
The Union Pacific Colorado special which
is due here at 7 O'Clock in the morning was
delayed several hours yesterday. There has
been considerable delay in Union Pacific
trains during the past two or three days,
especially since Monday evening. odicials
at headquarters declare that this is not
due TO trouble with strikers or engine fall
ures, but TO the heavy rains which have
caused washouts along the route. At
n~aIalla aa VIA Fan0rtad In The Haa
Tuesday. the track was injured and this
morning Information was given out at head
quarters that some two or three hundred
feet Of track at that place had been washed
out.
The irregularity in train service is not.
however, confined to the Union Pacific.
Depot ofhcials say almost all the roads have
experienced similar trouble during the last
few days. the rains causing damage to
tracks in a number OF localitieG- yesterday
morning scarcely a train reached the Union
station on time.
Rock Islands Denver Scheme.
The Rock Island Is credited with a scheme
TO build a cutoff that will enable that road
90 abandon the Union Pacific tracks over
which It now reaches Denver and enter that
city over the tracks Of an associated line.
The annual payment OF an enormous rental
Tor the Union racine tracks mas leo the
Rock Island %oficials at last to conclude
that a more profitable plan could be adopted
and that It lies In the construction Of a
shorter route OF It's own.
There Is also some speculation OF the
Rock Island undertaking a more direct
route from here to Wichita, Kan. It has
been a source OF wonder among railroad
men for some time that this road did not
decide upon this course. II Is not definitely
known that the plan has yet been adopted.
but there Is talk to that effect.
The international Mining congress meets
this year In Butte, Mont, from September
1 to s., and the Burlington has arranged FOL
special rates to and from this meeting
They will be q one-fare rate plus 81. and
tickets will be sold August 20. 20. rs and 20
with a time limit until September 10.
Il NHarrfaue LiCennea.