Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-30
WORKING ON GREAT WESTERN
Large Force Of Men Are Already EN-.
gagged in Building New
Line.

1t was learned yesterday that a large force
OF men were at work along the extension Of
the Chicago Great Western from Fort Dodge,
Ia. to Omaha, and a good start has already
been made in the construction of the
bridges and culverts for this new piece OF
railway.
The Bates & Rogers Construction company
Of Chicago holds the contract for all the
bridge and culyert work. Of which there is
considerable to be done. Five good sized
bridges are necessary, besides a great many
c~ulverts. All bridges will be of steel and
will be of such a character that any speed
with any size engines and any weight trains
can be made over them.
All culverts will be OF stone. Some time
ago the work Of clearing up preparatory TO
beginning the masonry work for bridges
and culverts was begun, and now the actual
erection Of several OF the structures is
about to commence.
Most Of the bridges are required to cross
other railroads, and this fact facilitates
the assembling Of material for them. The
steel and other elements can all be brought
in along the railroad which is TO be passed
over or under, and can thus be unloaded
right at the scene Of the work, instead of
much carting being necessary.
The viaduct being constructed for the
Chicago Great Western at Fort Dodge, the
present terminus Of the line, is moving
we'll on toward completion, and a consid-
cradle portion of the force Of men which
has been working on 1t has this week been
transferred to the work farther west on the
extension.
The keynote Of the battle for California
travel between the overland railroads this
year has now been sounded 1t is not time,
nor territory, but equipment. Though this
is a radical departure from the presidents
OF years, the change Of policy Is none the
less absolute. From now on the slogan OF
! the roads will not be, I'VE have the finest
scenery along our route" nor I'VE are ten
hours quicker to San Francisco than any
other line" but "Our train cost a million
dollars"
BY putting on ten new trains for the
overland journey after March 81 the Union
Pacific really started the matter, although
the Santa Fe and Burlington have been
doing something on a similar plan, but in
lesser quantities. Every train Of these ten
will represent an actual cost value Of
$3.50, 900 and some of the single cars will be
worth 100000.
The latest element in this war has Just
come to light. 1t is the announcement that
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific will
f~hS - --A1 ~ 80 SOANto VI SANA
and spend several millions in putting out
half a score of new trains. The road is ex-
tremely proud of It's new El Paso line and
has built great hopes on the popularity Of
its journey to the coast by that city. II
realizes however, that II cannot hope to
compete with the other roads IL It does not
duplicate their magnifcence OF equipment,
and this It will do. The new trains will be
as elegant and expensive as any running
between Chicago and the coast.
Assistant General Freight Agent ]. o..
P~hillippi Of the Missouri Pacific railway has
Just appointed John r. Barrett OF Hastings.
Neb., travelling freight agent for the Ne
braska and Iowa territory. with ~headquar-
ters at Omaha. This gives Mr.. Phillippi an
additional man on his force here, which he
has long desired. The appointment takes
effect on April 1. No changes in the pres
ent stan will result, nor shifts occur, as a
new position is created. Mr.. Barrett has
been with the Missouri Pacific railway ten
years and is agent for that road at Hastings.
The officials of the road have always
thought we'll Of him. superintendent Rath-
burn will appoint a man to succeed Mr..
Barrett at Hastings.
Railway Notes and ersonaI
General Agent Nash Of the Chicago, Mil
waukee g. st. Paul road. has returned from
chicago.
General Manager Bidwell of the Fremont.
Elkhorn & Missouri Valley railroad has
returned from Chicago.
James G. Thompson, travelling passenger
agent of the Canadian Pacific railway, with
headquarters at Chicago. is in Omaha.
j.. c.. Nicholas, general baggage agent
Of the Missouri Pacific railway, with head
quarters at st. Louis, is in Omaha on a
tour over the system, in which he will in
spect the different baggage departments.
General Manager Holdrege of the Bur-
lingtnn has returned from st. Paul, where
he conferred with Northern Pacific officials
relative to time card matters. No changes
were absolutely determined upon, how
ever, although several were considered.