The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-29

made for better and faster service in
freight traffic, and speed, comfort and
safety to the traveller.
In the 500 yards at Shoreham is an in
teresting Illustration of the manner In
which the 500 line has kept abreast of the
times since it was first built. Two loco
motives of the light weight type in use
fifteen years ago occupy tracks in one
part of the yards. Not far away in the
big round house stalls are the new To-
comotives recently purchased to haul tha
Soo's: fast freight between Minneapolis
and Gladstone. For the housing of these
new iron horses of tremendous hauling
capacity it has been necessary to build
| an addition to some of the round house
stalls. When the 500 began to build up
its traffic it had little usep for the light
weight engines now on the retired list
| awaiting purchaser. They were sold to
one of tho small railways in the northwest
and afterward returned because the small
| railway could not meet expenses. They
will do time probably on some Of the
smaller independent lines which still ex-
ist in the northwest. The 500 is pro-
vidfng itself with the latest equipment in
| order to reduce to the lowest minimum
the cost of transportation.
| There is another element in connection
| with the administration Of 500 affairs
| which is important. That is the direct
way in which the 500 interests itself in the
affairs Of it's country. The industrial de-
partment has been an important factor In
populating the northwest with industrious
people by attracting immigrants from the
southwestern states. Although without
| land grant and owning no lands the 500
| has persistent1y worked to make the unoc-
cupied territory along its lines productive
| In encouraging the location of industries
| in its towns the 500 has been active
This policy has already built up good
| local traffic which is an important factor
| in the earnings of the road. With the de-
1yelopment OF the country and this kind
| of a policy it is easy to see that 500
territory will be noted for the number
and prosperity Of it's industries. Each
| year the road issues a volume containing
! lists of industries wanted at differen6
points along the Soo This is given wide
| circulation and has produced good results.
Last year nearly all of the towns adver-
| tising for industries and new business in
| stitutions obtained them.
| BY it's campaign of education the 500
| is making the northwest better acquainted
with its resources and opportunities It
has taught Minnesota the opportunities
open in the Dakotas. It has even taught
the people of Wisconsin that there is
northern half Of their state now progress
ling at such a lively rate. 500 immigra-
tion agents have gone into southern Wis
consin counties and by advertising the adj
vantages of north Wisconsin started q
steady tide of immigration in that direc-
| tion. These works are more potent in
demonstrating the argument that there Is
an identity of interest between the rail-
road and the country it serves that miles
of theory dressed in big words. The ad-
ministration of 500 affairs is on a healthy
| basis In every department. working to-
wards the building of a still greater prop
erty and the gradual increases in wealth
! and productiveness of Its territory.