Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1903-10-28

Line ShOTteneu ana Equipment
Improved.
Evidently, President Hartman meant
what he said when he told the mer-
chants of San Francisco during his last
visit that he proposed to make the
Southern Pacific and Union Pacific sys-
TENS second u none in the world. He
may not have said just hose words, but
he gave that impr sson. Judging from
recent reports taken from official rec
ords, this new moving power in western
railway affairs does not propose by any
means to distribute all his profits in
dividends to the stockholders. These
figures show that during period of
less than three years up 70 June so,
1903. the aggregate expenditures for
betterments and equipment on all lines
in the Hartman system were $l0i,34
1863. Some idea what this means is
gained by noting that this amuont is
more than the total estimated expend-
iture necessary for the completion Of
of the Panama canal.
The work has been going on steadily
for about three years on all lines OF
the system between Omaha and San
Francisco as well rs between here and
Portland and between here and New
Orleans. Into all these main lines as
well as upon the branches, some Jf
these millions Of money have gone. all
the expenditures being with the idea of
establishing railway system equal
to any ever constructed. But the pre-
sent plans of the directors will not stop
here for the work now actually under
way will increase the figures above
stated by several millions. The rapid
Development of the Pacific coast and
western territory and the remarkable
awakening and increase of Pacific com
merce are the causes of the exLendi-
lures which put the railways on the
footing demanded by the possibilities
of the traffc, and the outlook, in the
judgement of the far-seeing officials,
warrants every confidence in the fu.
ure. The combined lines concerned
are Southern Pacific, TIE Union Pacific
the Oregon Short line, the Oregon
Railway and Navigation Company;
Chicago and Alton and the Kansas City
Southern.
MILLIONS IN IMPROVEMENTS
These figures are interesting as fig
ures but Californians and all residents
Of the country tributary to these rail-
roads are likely to be interested in
knowing just what these figures mean
Where has all this money gone amount
ing on the Union Pacific and Southern
Pacific systems alone to S96, 603935?
AS noted above, it has gone into vari.
Gus ramifications of the system under
heading of improvements AZ follows:
Betterments, Si6, ll5, ,5S7; changes Of
lines, S14, 5S2, 237; equipment, SiS,2OOt
545, making the total above noted of
$l04, 3lS, 500
SIXTY MILLION TONS OF STEEL.
The chief railway construction work
involved has been what is generally
known as the Salt Lake cutoff. Be
sides this there is the cutoff on the
coast line at Chatsworth Park, the re.
newal of steel bridges and steel rails
and the purchase of vast quantity Of
rolling stock, construction of new rail-
road sheds, round-houses, and depots.
The Ogden and Salt Lake cutoff which
will be completed and over which cars
will be running by the first Of the year
has cost to date S4,40O, 1862. Over sixty
million tons Of steel has been put into
the lines of the Southern Pacific system
making a continuous string of first-class
stool bridges, capable of carrying with
the greatest Of security, the heaviest
rolling stock all the way along the lines
from Ashland, Oregon, TO Houston,
Texas, and from San Francisco to og-
den.
THE OGDEN-LUCIN CUTOFF.
The cutoff berween Ogden and Lucin
by which about 1903 miles Of crooked
and back number track was thrown out
for the direct grade and trestling of a
little over forty-four miles across two
arms Of the great Nalt Lake, was big
undertaking. 1t involved all sorts Of
curious engineering freaks, and it is no
wonder the engineers and officials now
feel proud as a hen with ducks at hav-
/ ING the satisfactory completion of this