The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-15
AN EXPANDING SYSTEM
WESTERN CANADA RVS
Main Lines and Feeders Are Pushed Out RAPIDLY With
and in Advance of Settlement Canadian Pacific
and Canadian Northern.

Canada is about to enter upon an era
OF extensive railway construction. The
Canadian Northern, when it's present
building plans are completed will furnish
the Dominion with a new transcontinen-
tai service (within five years, it is
predicted) which will be Of great benefit
to western Canada and big factor in it's
rapid development. The Canadian Pa
cif1c railway has large extension plans
under consideration. The. building OF
branch. lines to accommodate new farn-
ing communities Is to be carried forward
rapidly III
Railways are prime essential to a
good grain market. The systems of west
ern Canada supply good service. In
some cases rates are regulated by act OF
parliament. The extension of railways
in western Canada during the past few
years has been one Of the most strongly
marked features of the progress Of the
country: . This fertile section Is being
ironed rapidly by the Canadian Pacific
while the policy of the Canadian North
ern as outlined is to build a network OF
rails through these fertile provinces.
The splendid Saskatchewan valley has
been opened recently by two new lines
Others are projected including one in the
direction of Hudsons bay in anticipation
of the route between Hudson's straits and
Liverpool becoming available. The Ca
madam Pacifcs lines in southern Man
itoba and eastern Assiniboia have also
been extended securing the opening of the
Souris coal fields and an Unlimited supply
of cheap fuel to the settlers. Not only
have the Northwest territories connection
with the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, but
there are also four lines joining with
American roads at the boundary furnish
ing the best of service to the south.
i New Transcontinental.
Tho Canadian Northern railway, which
runs from the great lakes, through Mani
toba into the District Of Saskatchewan, is
being rapidly constructed. Rail connec-
was established Jan. /, and the company
now has continuous line from Port Ar
thur, Ont, to Erwood, Saskatchewan, SIC
miles. Altogether it has constructed 1,3Os
miles. This line will open up the fertile
Saskatchewan valley between Prince AL
bert and Edmonton, running north Of and
almost parallel to the Canadian Pacific
through the entire breadth Of Saskatche-
wan and Northern Alberta towards the
Yellow Head Pass, where the Rocky Noun
tains open their portals and invite, by the
lowest and easiest grade In Alberta, the
construction of a railway through to
Cariboo and the Pacific coast beyond. This
Is an old natural route frequented by fur
traders. The construction of this railway
to the Pacific coast will be the necessary
means of fully developing the rich gold
mines of Cariboe.
s&s ~ The Waterways.
Besides the railway outlets, there is
also that to the east down the Saskatche-
wan by steamboat to Lake Winnipeg, from
whence the, people of Manitoba propose
improving the old rowboat route, so as tc
b. navigable by steamboats, to the At
lantic ports of Nelson and Churchill, on
Hudson's bay. The North Saskatchewa.
river, running through Northern Alberta
and Saskatchewan, was in the days of the
fur trade the main route for all imports
and exports to and from the territories
and, although most of the feet of steam
boats which, up to, the advent of the rail-
way, tapped tha3Saskatchewan Valley, nov
tie idle as population and development
advance, the river will again be utilized
more and more. Coal Is certain to be
shipped that way, and the Alberta and
Saskatchewan farmer will be afforded the
CHOICE of all eastern as we'll as western
market whenever Manitoba secures the
opening Of the Hudson's Bay route.
The Northern Pacific lines recently
leased to the Manitoba government for
ninety-nine years, and in turn leased to
the Canadian Northern, comprise 1872
miles In that province, which has a total
mileage Of 2,346 miles. The Great North
ern is building branch lines from the
United States into Assiniboia.
There are runlors that the Northern Pa
cific proposes to re-enter Manitoba
Canada's elevator system is increasing
its capacity rapidly. The capacity at the
Lake Superior terminals. Port Arthur and
Fort Williams will be augmented 1900, 900
bushels during the coming season by the
construction Of new warehouses. The
Canadian elevator system is under strict
government regulation. The total ele-
vator capacity will then be over rs, OOO,-
900 bushels.