Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-12-09
NEW MAIN LINE
TO PORTLAND, Or.
Solution OF Engineering Survey
Corps Activity Recently in
Western Idaho.
SHORT LINE TAKES A HAND.
Dispatches Forces 10 Run Surveys
From Ontario to NatrOn, Or
Funds are Appropriated.

Announcement Of the proposition Of
Il. H. Hartman to build line across
central Oregon was officially made IN
Portland yesterday. While there have
been rumors in The past of Just such
n move. this IL the first official state
ment In regard to the matter,
The name Of the new line Is to be the
Oregon & Eastern railroad. having on
tario or, east Of Payette, Ida, on the
short Line as it's eastern, and Natron,
town l26 miles south OF Portland, for
the western terminus. The announce
mout was made by General Manager
j. =. o Brien Of the o. r, & ~ yester-
day
The surveying Of the proooscd line
has been under way for some time,
and what Is more to the point the
survey parties are being QUILTED here
in Salt Lake by the o. S. l.. general
engineering department. Recently a
large chest Of medicines and surgical
bandages was forwarded to Ontario,
from this city by the oregon Short
Line for the use OF the engineers. denot-
ing that they expected to be In the
field AWAY from the haunts Of civillza-
lion for some months
November J. 1906 is the date set for
the first locomotive of the Northern
Pacific to enter Portland This en-
crolCting railroad competition is fore
ing the hand Of the Short Line and O.
r. & n. 10 build a shorter and easier
route into Portland from the east For
this purpose some time ago the north
west division of the Hartman railroad
system set aside an appropriation Of
si16OOO0 for 1906
From Portland to Natron on the pres
ent Springfield branch of the O. X. &
y, formerly the Southern Pacific Is
an easy grade laid In practically q
straight line The lift across the Cas-.
cade Mountains by the use Of modern
engineering VIII be no greater under
taking that the negotiation OF the Blue
Mountains ON the existing main line
between Salt Lake and Portland. The
line across central Oregon Is said 10 be
one long reach Of easy grade and sim
pie construction through rich and prac-
,ically virgin country.
This line was recommended for con-
structlon long ago when Mr. Mohler
WIS head OF the O. r. & n. affairs.
Now that the Chicago x Northwest
ern Is threatening eastern Idaho with
an eye ON the Pacific slope and the
Western Pacific Is also making eyes
NJ oregon with the object in view OF
acquiring feeders for its main line II
hehooves the Hartman interes'- To sit
up and take notice There Is every
Indication that they are getting busy
protecting territory from invasion, 10y
being first in the field themselves.
The fact that the Yellowstone Park
railway Is now being constructed and
as told In the News yesterday, an
other force OF surveyors has heeu sent
into the jackson Hole country bv the
short Line TO take hand against the
Chicago 4 Northwestern invasion
would Indicate that the eastern ap.
pioachos are being guarded. This Of.
fetal news from Portland this morn.
Ing further demonstrates that the
western end Is being looked after. leav.
ing the brunt Of the battle 10 be born.
by the Oregon Short Line, the keyston,
Of the Hartman system.