The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1904-03-12
GEN. WAsHsURN's TRIUMPH OVER
ALL DIFFICULTIES.

ALL DIFFICULTIES.
After a severe winter-one of the
worst on record for the Missouri
slope-the dawn Of busy season ap.
proaches. The various railways lead
ing to the northwest have already
announced low rates for land hunters
and home seekers and the tide Of i'm
migration, that has been interrupted
by an unusually disagreeable winter,
will soon be felt in the great region
tributary to Washburn. 1t only re-
mains for our people to bestir them
selves and cooperate with the forces
that are engaged in developing this
portion of the Missouri slope.
1t is fortunate that we have as CO.
worker character of such force, a
person of such indomitable pluck as
General w. D. Washburn. A less
courageous man would have been un-
able to Withstand and surmount the
obstacles that have come in the way
of this old pioneer railroad promoter
and Industrial giant. But in Gen. Wash
burns lexicon there is no such word
as "fan," and while he has had numer-
Gus and unlocked for difficulties to
combat he has won out and will con-
ttnue to conquer so long as his
strength Of mind and body is spared.
While the storms of winter have been
severe on new road, not wholly
prepared for such angry bursts Of ma
ture as have been frequent the past
few months. and while the expense
incident to maintaining the line has
been enormously above the normal,
the Bismarck, Washburn and Great
Falls railway is solvent. It is owned
by Mr.. Washburn and despite all
rum0rs and statements to the con-
trary Mr.. Waehburn does not contem-
plate REIMBURSEMENT of its absolute
control. The fixed charges Of some
thing like $1,000 a month tackled onto
this new road by the state board Of
equalization is an injustice of the
rankest kind and one that the board,
interested as they should be in the
development Of the state and the en-
couragement of railway extensions.
can hardly be proud Of.
The opening up Of the coal fields
and the development Of the coal in
s9n s93nstry to the present comparatively
gigantic proportions has been a great
tax upon the purse, but of inestimable
worth to the Missouri slope and to the
whole state. A pioneer in the coal
mining industry on large scale in
North Dakota General Washburn has
paid much for experience that others
may benefit. Remote. from the labor
markets, far removed from the rem
devious Of coal miners. the Wilton
management has experienced great
difficulty in securing and holding men.
The walking delegate" and the
union organizers have lowered about
the mines and the operators have had
to face several strikes. Even at this
time the output Of the mines is far
below normal because of labor trou-
bles. It is not because Of poor paw
for many of the miners receive much
higher wages than they could earn
elsewhere-nor is 1t because of i'll
treatment or lack Of good acconlmoda-
tions, for at the Wilton mines new
and modern hotel, with steam heat
and electric lights in all rooms was
built expressly for hhe miners, and
the. food furnished Is undisputably
most wholesome and satisfactory to
the men. But, Notwithstanding all
these provisions for the welfare and
comfort Of the men the influence Of
labor agitators has caused trouble and
added great burden TO the expense
side Of the ledger.
The visit at different towns of rep
resentatives Of the 500 and Of the
Northern Pacific seems to have given
rise to the rumor or suspicion that
Gen. Washburn might be induced to
turn his enterprise over to some
other and larger corporation but these
fears should be cast aside. The
Washburn road is not for sale. Not
later than week ago did the Gener-
al emphatically so express himself.
While the experiences Of the last few
months haye been trying there are
unmistakable conditions
that will in the future make the
Washburn road profitable to It's owner
as we'll as of convenience to the pub
lie.
The improvements promised for the
city Of Washburn this year are such
as will make of 1t metropolis both
permanent and prosperous. Our citi-
zens must present q united front and
assist to the extent Of their full en-
ergy in this seasons work. The fu-
ture is assured after this years turn