The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-06

entitled 4An Act to Provide for the Con
struction of a National Transcontinenta
Railway Discussion of this measure wa,
the principal feature of the session, and {
necessity for revision of the bill passed II
October, 1903 led to an extra session in the
spring of 1901. At that session an amended
bill was passed and approved.
The exact route to be followed by the
new line IL not yet fully decided. being left
in some measure for surveys and explora.
ton which are now going on. Its genera
route is fairly determined. Starting from
Moncton, in the Province OF New Brunswick
it will reach Quebec by a sweep which viii
carry it well to the northward Of the Maine
border line. From Quebec it's course IL
almost due west to Winnipeg, its deviation
being northward by the difference in the
latitude of the two cities. From Winnipeg
westward its general course is northwest
until it reaches the Pacific at or near Port
Simpson. Distances may be stated thus
approximately:
Moncton TO Quebec Observation-Disclosures. $50 miles
Quebec TO Winnipeg Observation-Disclosures. i.4oO
Winnipeg to Port Simpson. ............ I,75o
Total 5000 miles
For purposes of construction, operation
and ownership the line is divided into two
sections. 1t is upon this feature that the
political interest largely hinges. The Lib
erals stand for the bill as already drawn
and approved. The Conservatives, though
not generally opposed to the opening OF a
new line to the Pacific have their own
ideas, not entirely harmonious, regarding
the plan adopted by their opponents. The
division Of the line is into an eastern and a
western section.
The eastern section extends from None
ton to Winnipeg This Is to be built by the
Government under the supervision of a
special commission. Subject to the neces-
sary provisos of so important a contract,
the proposal is that this section, being COM
pleted, shall be leased by the Government
to the Grand Trunk Pacific for term of
fifty years at a rental, payment Of which
shall begin seven years after completion,
of per cent. ON the cost Of construction
So little is actually known of the territory
through which large part Of this line must
pass that estimates OF cost of construction
seem little better than mere guesswork
The mean average of them may be given as
in the vicinity of $85, 100000.
The western section will be built by the
Grand Trunk Pacific Company, with the
Government as the guarantor of its bonds.
Estimates of the cost of this section, in both
the cost of construction and the net cost to
the Government through its Endorsement,
are confused and contradictory They may
be stated generally as little in excess Of
500, 0O0, 600 for construction.
haa st;l ;g
position to the construction of the eastern
section as quite unwarranted by the prob
able traffic conditions Sir Wilfrid and his
followers hold an optimistic view of the
opening of new business in new and wholly
unsettled area northward of the present
line of settlement in the Provinces of On
tario and Quebec. They also count on a
large through traffic in Western wheat.
Both Of these ideas seem at their best
problematic and largely speculative
The opposition advances two arguments.
One is that the eastern section il needless
and unwarranted. The present Govern
ment- owned Intercolonial line runs from
to the ports of the Maritime Prov
inces. Although now showing a slight i'm
this line has thus far been a
losing investment, and there is marked
objection to running a second line through
80 much OF the same territory. Arguments
are made for the purchase OF the Canada
Atlantic westward from Montreal as a
for the present Intercolonial
and the extension of that line to Winnipeg,
Lhus making connection between Winni-
peg and Halifax or Sydney, in preference
10 the construction of $50 miles Of new line
through a wilderness. This argument has
very considerable force. Another argu-
nent of the opposition is that il the line is
20 be built it would be better for the Gov
eminent to build and own the entire length
instead of. as under the present arrange
nent owning only the least promising Sec
ion OF il.
Figures Of total cost to the Government,
If increase in the national debt and ex-
ocnditure, are treated in a somewhat pro-
niscuous manner by both parties. Mr.
Borden, the leader Of the opposition, de-
,lnres that the Government becomes liable
u the whole enterprise for the sum OF from
1850, OOO. 900 to $4,000. 900, with no other
than that Of the problematic sue
,ess of the line, while the railway company
assumes risk OF only about 81, OOO, 600.
Upon this basis he argues for complete
ownership. Doubtless basing
,is argument on a belief in the financial sue
,ess OF the system, the Hon. W. S. Fielding.
he Dominion Secretary of Finance, stated
n a speech made on May 20 last that a sum
II sl3, s3s, 1853, set aside by the Government,
would be sufficient to meet all the obliga-
ions which the Government would be called
lpon to meet for a line OF railway from
doncton to the Pacific coast" This does
lot Of course, include the cost to the Gov
for the construction OF the eastern
ection, which IL ia to build and own. Be-
ween these estimates and arguments the
eader and the voter may take his choice.
Out Of much confused mass of figures
nd assertions n few facts stand forth which
nay be accepted as certainties. Among
hem are the following Canada will have
new transcontinental railway line. Its
construction will not result In national
bankruptcy. Its operation will contribute
to the development Of the
Dominion. 1t will make her a more pros
'erous and more desirable neighbor, and
he United States will share in and let us
Iope, contribute to her proeperity