Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-12-15
ROAD SOUTH FROM
DURANGO CERTAIN
Two Lines Planned from Southern
Colorado Metropolis.

Active work will begin on railroad
south from Durango within a year
and possibly there will be two roads
built. Back of one is the Phelps-Dodge
syndicate and back Of the other is
the South, rn Pacific There Is possi
All Indications point to remarka'
Santa Fe will build into Durango from
Albuquerque.
Al Indications point TO remarka-
BILE railroad boom in the southern
Colorado metropolis within the next
few years by the construction Of roads
through the undeveloped sections OF
Arizona lying south OF Colorado and
TO which Durango is the natural gate
way.
The construction OF these roads
menas that the Rio Grande will stand
ard gauge its road from Antonito to
Durango. III miles.
1t Is learned from official circles
yesterday that two surveying parties
have about completed running their
lines from Durango to Clifton, Ariz
One party Of engineers is In charge
of o. Winnansted for the Colorado &
Arizona OF Southern Pacific. and the
other party is in charge Of ]. Camp
bell for the Phelps-Dodge syndicate
Both parties are working toward Cliff
ton, and so far as known. the Phelps
Dodge engineers do not intend to &c
beyond that Arizona point. while the
Colorado & Arizona party may ex
h,t. t,,..a \ <Icl Ftx
possibly to FL Paso.
There is no doubt in the world
but what one or both of these roads
will be constructed" said man ir
position to know and one who can be
considered authority yesterday. "The
Phelps.Dodge syndicate now own.
more than 600 miles OF railroad IL
Arizona and New Mexico having
| bought some of IL, making powerful
system in the Southwest. II propose.
| the Durango road to give its system
an outlet to the north as well as open
ing vast virgin territory.
The Southern Pacific, which roat
| is generally known to be back OF th'
| Colorado & Arizona also wishes I,
open up this vast territory in Arizon,
and also to reach Colorado. Such {
road would prove tremendous feede
for the Southern Pacific.
The construction OF either of thes,
roads would be of vast benefit t.
Colorado and particularly to tn.
southern and southwestern section
of the state II means a big city To-
Durango The country these road,
will traverse is rich in minerals ant
agricultural possibilities and coal ant
| iron. It is rough in topography ant
construction Of the roads would b,
expensive
| THE distance from Durango tt
Clifton is between $50 and 275 miles
| believe that the road thus bull
would be big money maker, perhaps
not at the beginning-new roads rare
ly are-but the possibilities for rev
enue when the country is settled ar,
immense.
| II have my doubts about the con
struction in the immedinate future o
the Albuquerque-Duran road. pre-
sumo the Santa Fe Is really back o
the project and yet 1t may be a pri
vate syndicate. Railroads and syndi
Gates frequently incorporate as a rail
road company and survey line be
tween given points to hold valuabl,
canons and passes. perhaps for theil
own use and perhaps for sale or trad,
to an advantage. This has been don,
in Colorado and Is familiar proceed
ure TO railroad contractors and build
ers throughout the West, There is ,
range OF mountains between Duran
go and Albuquerque and the construc
ton of such a road would be tire
mendous undertaking"