Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-09-21
.OKANOGAN ROADS
GREAT NORTHERN AND UNION
PACIFIC IN RACE.
CT eat Northern Line Will Be Built
From Wenatchee-.U Union Pacific
Will BE Extension OF Bellingham
Bay and British Columbia From
Maple Falls.

Seattle, Sept. 6.-Announcement is
made from the general offices of the
Great Northern that next spring work
will be started on the construction of a
branch line from Wenatchee, on the
main line, to the town of Republic.
The survey for this road has been fin
ished within the last thirty days and
bids will be called for before the end
of the year.
The determination to build this road
within the coming year was probably
brought about ty the activity of the
Bellingham Bay x British Columbia
line in its survey from Maple Falls, the
present eastern terminus of the shore
line. through the Okanogan country to
Spokane. This company during all the
past summer has had engineers in the
field. and they are now ready to report
the completion OF the greater portion Of
their work. Such surveys as are not
completed this fall will be finished
early in the spring and about the time
the Great Northern starts it's Okanossn
country branch the Bellingham Bay i
British Columbia will have construc-
ton force in the field.
The race will then be for the control
OF vast amount of rich Washington
territory which in the past has not
been Accommodated by any line OF rail.
road.
The Bellinsham Bay line, after leav-
ing Maple Falls, is to pass through the
Mount Baker and Slate Creek countries
into the Methow valley, following the
Methow river to Pateros; thence along
the banks of the Columbia river through
the northern part OF the whest belt to
Spokane.
Ever since this survey was started
there has been much speculation as to
what forces were back OF the coast shore
line. No longer is there any secret
made by the Union Pacific system that
the new road through Washington be.
longs to it. From the Union Pacific
offices at Omaha comes the announce.
ment that the Bellingham Bay X Brit
ish Columbia line. when finished As far
as Spokane. will make connection there
with the tracks OF the Oregon Railroad
and Navigation Company, which is q
part OF the Unioy Pacific system.
/ In this connection it is officially an.
nounced that with the clearing of the
snow from the ground next spring the
Bellingham Bay road vii! begin con,
! struction work from the Spokane enc
and rush it through to the Merhow val
ley. This will give the Union Pacid,
AL entrance 10 the rich wheat fields o
Northeastern Washington. Later OF
the line will be continued westward Il
Maple Falls, which will furnish Ii,
( Union Pacific All outlet on Puget sound
! In railroad circles the opinion is ex
pressed that from Wha,com. the pres
/ ent terminus Of the Bellingham Bay
road, line will be built 10 Seattle
which will put the Union Pacific sys
tenn into this city. As yet there la
been nothing officially given ont to has.
such An opinion on. bu, il is reasona
bic to believe tha, the Union Pacific
after reaching the north coast woul(
F seek a terminal 8, the principal center
The TWO lines when constructed " !
cover rich field, to the present tim
/ unGevelovped in other than the strict!
! agricultural districts by res son Of lac!
Of transportation. In the mineral dis
/ tricis there are vast number OF mile
awaiting the will Of the railroads beior,
development, work is pushed. and from
this natural wealth mitch business vii
I he furnished the roads