The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-01-31
NEW MOVE OF HARTMAN
GETTING READY TO FIGHT
THE HILL SYSTEM.
Significant Plan Which Indicates
That Astoria Harbor May
Soon BE Utilized.

III recent events can be relied upon
Astorla's isolation In the matter OF ex-
ports Will soon end" said a prominent
railroad official who was In the city
this week. The Hartman system has
just provided Itself with sig.9OO00O 70
improve It's western connections, and
activity on the part Of James J. Hill
can now be looked for. To me II Is
clear that the great clash Of interests
will soon come. When that fight for
control Of he trade Of the orient Is pre-
cipitated. Astoria harbor win be utli-
lied, because. with an improved bar,
II will be the cheapest port on the Pa
cific coast.
"A few days ago 10000, 100 additional
Oregon Short Line bonds were sold in
New York. The sale has attracted
widespread interest In railroad circles,
for II Is taken to mean that Hartman
Is preparing for the great impending
struggle With the combination of nor
thern roads. 1t was stated In official
quarters that the proceeds OF the safe
OF these new bonds would be devoted
tn the construction OF an extension
which would link Los Angeles with
branch OF the Oregon Short Line, and,
while no specific details were given out
to explain the purpose OF the extension.
enough was learned to suggest that a
more direct line from Los Angeles to
Ogden and the east would be speedily
constructed. The three properties I'M
der Hartman coatrol-the Southern
Pacific, the Union Pacific and the Ore
gon Short Line-will reap the advant-
age OF the proposed extension"
The fact that application has been
made to the stock exchange to have
the additional 100000 Of new oregon
Short Line bonds listed indicates that
the entire amount has been sold and
distributed. The proceeds. therefore.
are available Immediately, and 1t Is nor
likely that any delay will ensue In the
beginning Of the work.
1t Is expected that construction work
will be hurried from a point near Los
Angeles toward the state line which sep
arates Nevada from Utah At Calien-
ties, in Nevada. branch Of the Oregon
Short Line has its terminal, and the
distance between the two points is a |
matter OF $50 miles.
In the last annual report of the Union
Pacific a map of that property attached
shows the projected connection between |
Calientes and Plain Springs. on the |
5. P.'s California line. Unless there has |
been some change since that survey has |
been made 1t is entirely possible that
the $i0,0O0,0O0 will be devoted to the
work outlined.
When this is completed the great /
Union Pacific system. which terminate
es at Ogien. will branch out in three
distinct arteries-one 10 the north, end
ing at Astoria. the second straightaway |
to the Pacific. with its Golden Gate
terminus, and the third southward to
tho fruitful district of Los Angeles
The three termini on the Pacific coast
are connected by coastwise lines Of the
Southern Pacific.
The new branch contemplated and
which undoubtedly will now be built
will give short line to traffic emanat-
ing from the Los Angeles district to
Ogden and from that point on east to
Chicago aud New York, II is suggest
ID in some quarters that Senator
Slark's new road, the San Pedro, Los
Angeles and Salt Lake. may make con-
1ectlons with the projected new road.