The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-12
THE GRAND TRUNK
WORKING A COUP
ENGINEERS AND RIGHT-OF-WAY
BUYERS IN WISCONSIN.
Will That Line Ultimately Absorb the
Canadian Northern for Northwest
ern Business? ..r.
Special to The Journal,

Special to The Journal.
Superior, Wis. July 12.-For some time
engineers have been at work upon rail-
way survey running to this city from the
southeast, and have been followed by
right of way agents who have taken
twelve month options on property to ad-
nit a road to the business center, paying
/ per cent of the agreed price Tor the op-
tons. 1t Is now learned that the Grand
Trunk road of Canada is back OF the plan,
and intends to build road giving con-
nection with it's present lines in eastern
Canada and it's proposed road thru the
Canadian northwest to the Pacific, tho on
account of its negotiations with the Do
minion government 1T is not yet willing
to make announcement that 1t will build
thru line on American soil.
The Grand Trunk, coming across into
the United States at the Fort Huron
tunnel, reaches thru Michigan to Lake
Michigan at Muskegon. From there 1t
has cross lake car ferries that reach Man
itowoc and Milwaukee. From Manitowoc
the Wisconsin Central runs northwesterly
to within short distance of this city.
The present survey Is from point on the
Central to the head of the lakes. The in
tention Of the Grand Trunk Is to provide
for itself q winter line and an-rail connec-
ton for it's Grand Trunk Pacific govern
ment-aided road in Canada. 1t Is an open
secret that the western portion Of this
road Is to be built before that portion
connecting the east and west, where
stretches a long intervening space that
will not afford traffic enough to pay for
the grease used on the car wheel bear
ings. It may we'll be that considerable
time will elapse between the completion
of the Grand Trunks lines thru the north
1yha folds of Canada and
all-rail connection north Of Lake Su.
peror to the Atlantic seaboard.
Owning series of roads thru the wheat
region and cattle country Of northwestern
Canada without line of its own to the
east, the Grand Trunk will be at the
mercy of it's great rival, the Canadian Pa
cihc, for winter outlet. This, of course
Is an impossible situation.
In spite Of many denials, explicit ant
otherwise, 1t Is known that negotiations
have been on between the Grand Trunl
and the Canadian Northern, which run
from the northern coast of Lake Superio
into the northwest, and it is considered a.
more than probable that the latter wi
ultimately pass into Grand Trunk hands
This road comes into Minnesota about 10
miles northwest Of Duluth and reache
from there direct to Winnipeg and tn
grain fields Of Canada. A standar
gauge road is now under constructio
from Duluth whose avowed purpose Is
connect with the Canadian Northern a
the international boundary. Lumberme
are pushing it thru and they will have n
use for it when the timber has been take
oit. 1t will require only running al
engagements over the Wisconsin Centre
and Duluth, Virginia & Rainy LAX
roads to give the Grand Trunk connec
ton with Winnipeg from it's own line
In eastern Canada, except for the fit
miles stretch that Is now under surve
east and south from here. The whole w
make a line from the east to the nortl
west shorter by more than $50 miles tina
the present route Of the Canadian Pacit
around the north shore of Lake Superic
In addition to this 1t will give a road tn
will secure traffic everywhere 1t goe
while the north of Lake Superior rout
which the Grand Trunk is ultimately
build will be losing enterprise for
generation at least.
A straightedge laid from Grand Tru1
tunnel entrance at Port Huron to it's ne
essary connection at Winnipeg will
superimposed almost precisely on it's 70
to Lake Michigan at Muskegon, on Mar
towoc, on It's new survey to this city,
Duluth and on the two lines now buildi
from here to Winnipeg. 80