Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-10-29
RAILROAD MATTERS.
MIR. G. NJ. Hays Outlines His Plans for
Construction Of the Grand
Trunk Pacific

Mr.. G. NJ. Hays. general manager and
second vice president OF the Grand Trunk
railway, has made the following state
ment, regarding the company's plans for
completing the Grand Trunk Pacific
THE Grand Trunk Pacific incorporation
act having being passed by the Senate and
the amendments offered therein concurred
in by the House, the bill is now only
awaiting the royal assent to place the
matter in a position whereby the company
can be organized and take definite form
to inaugurate the necessary action prepar-
atory to undertaking the obligations en-
tered into by the company with the gov
eminent.
THE reconnaissance survey is proceed
ing vigorously and, in fact, has been, ever
since early last spring. We have between
ID ann 90 parties in the field, some of
whom have about completed the work of
their division: others will keep on all
through the winter. Great care has been
taken with Il view of obtaining line with
n minimum grade, not exceeding per
cent. or - feet to the mile. about tile
same as the maximum grade between To-
rOnto and Montreal and with no greater
than two or three degree curves.
"On some portions of the route where
the country is comparatively unknown,
for instance, in the Lake Nepigon dis
trict, owing to the lack of transportation
and progress is not as great as otherwise
would be the case
plans for construction at the point at
which a beginning will be made are de-
pendent on the completion of surveys. We
nave now the territory pretty well COW
cred. The first parties we sent out, when
were started before the government policy
as to the Eastern division was developed.
were located between Winnipeg and North
Fay the theory being that that was the
section of country that was most in need
of additional facilities. and while 1t is I'M
doubtedly true that, for some years to
come. Il large proportion of the grain crop
of the Northwest will move out by water
during the season Of navigation, there is
to-day a very considerable quantity NOV
ing by rail north of Lake Superior and
this quantity will be increased in a con-
stantiy growing volume as rail- facllltieS
for the economical and expeditions move
mcnt of the traffic are provided. The new
line with its per cent grade, Will nave
great advantages in this respect.
Our surveying parties are also well
distributed across the territory from Win
nipcg west and construction on that por-
ton of the line will he pushed as soon as
the results Of our surveys are known. as
also the construction of the branches from
a port on Lake Superior (Which port is
yet to he determined) to Junction win
the Eastern division, and a line from
North Bay also to intersect the Eastern
division.
LAS to plans and intentions in connec-
ton with the work on the Eastern divl-
sion, ! shall have to refer YOU to the gov
eminent that portion of the undertaking
being, as YOU are aware, under their con
troll.
While it is dependent on conditions
generally the results of surveys. the stu
alton as regards labor, movement OF sup
plies, material, etc, it is not likely that
the road will be completed short of five
wears"