The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-03-22
UNION DEPOT is PROBABLE
Regarded as More Than Likely That
Directors Will Be Urged to
Order Its Construction.

on company business" it is probably
safe to say that as result of the
conference held last week by repre-
sentatives of the two railroad COM
panies reports will undoubtedly be
made to the respective headquarters
recommending consolidation of busi-
ness interests here.
It is known with considerable de.
gree of accuracy that the matter has
now passed through the various pre-
liminary stages and will form one of
the questions to be discussed by the
directors of the two roads within a
short time. If endorsed by them it
is more than likely that before long
active operations i'm the way of eff
fecting the consolidation will be under
way, as it is accepted that no further
investigation will be made, the diff
ferent department heads to whom the
matter was submitted in it's initial
stages having reported upon it.
As Regards Union Station.
Should the directors entertain the
the same view as some of the gentle
men who were here last week it is
almost certain that union passenger,
station will be one of the results st
the unification of interests. SeyerM
were heard to express themselves in
this regard and spoke somewhat plain
ly as to the needs of such an insti-
tuition. Others who were consulted
in an advisory capacity also recon-
mended the construction OF station,
both on the ground of an absolute
necessity and as a matter of policy,
holding that to do this would be result
and of a kindlier and friendlier feeling
toward the companies by the people of
the city and those who have occasion
to use the facilities offered for the
accommodation of the travelling public.
Billings, as one of the really import-
ant points on both systems,it was
argued, was entitled to more con-
sideration in this regard than it has
heretofore received from either of the
companies.
While it has not received the sane.
tion of official confirmation, it has
been known here by some that so far
as the Northern Pacific is concerned it
has been practically agree upon for
a considerable time that a new sta
tion should replace the present old
shack. Now that the two roads are
to consolidate their interests here and
on the score of economy and for the
purpose of expediting the transaction
OF business place both under one SUI
pervising head, those of the officials
who favor a new depot say the time
is opportune for the erection of a
union station, one that would be an
ornament to the city and credit to
the corporations owning it.
kA4l LuAu6S COASluVISu, JuOSt VIII
are in position to know a little Of
what is transpiring on the inside are
quite confident that at least to the
extent of suitable Accommodations for
the travelling portion of it the public
will have reason for being interested
in the outcome of THE negotiations now
on foot, regardless of how it may be
considered that other interests are
to be affected thereby.
A Friendly Suggestion.
A gentleman ON more or less in
innate terms with at least one of
the companies, in discussing the sit
uation a few days ago, suggested that
now was a good time for the citizens
of Billings to take action i'm the way
of securing a substantial and lasting
benefit to the city. much has been
heard and read recently about the
propose enlargement of the Northern
Pacific shops at Livingston, said he.
''Now that we may say it has been
settled that the two roads are to con-
solidate their business OFFICES and
yards at this place it might be a
- Tnsyl