Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-12-09
STR GCLE IS ON
POWERFUL RAILWAY INTERESTS
LINED UP FOR BATTLE FOR
ORIENT TRADE
Milwaukee Construction is to Be
Pushed on New Western Line and
Trains May Be Run In Three Years
From Evarts to Seattle.

The determination Of the Milwaukee
road to build to the Pacific coast at
Seattle emphasizes the fact that there
Is now in progress in the west the
greatest railroad struggle in history.
The contest is not necessarily bitter
war between contending interests,
which are the most powerful in the
country, but the slightest change in
conditions may make it Of such pro-
portions.
The contention is between the great
railroad interests of the country, back
ed by various factions Of Wall street,
for the lions share of the enormous
tonnage which will be developed,
eventually. in the country west of the
Missouri river. AS matter Of fact,
the Milwaukee is about the last road
to take steps to prevent being bottled
up east of the river. The move it has
made has been admitted to be inevi,
table for the last three years.
Milwaukee officials, however, insist
that their project need not disturb the
present railroad situation. They as
sert that within the three years 1t will
take them to complete their line from
Evarts to Seattle, sufficient traffic will
have been developed to make it I'M
necessary for them to secure any Of
the business now enjoyed by existing
roads.
Make Start In July.
Not until last summer did the Mil.
waukee venture to even cross it's
former deadline, the Missouri river.
July it authorized an extension west
from Chamberlain, and having taken
this plunge decided to go on to the
coast. In so doing it shared the be-
lief of Mr. Hill that the future trade
with the Orient would surpass all ex-
pectations and that Seattle being the
logical gateway would become the
greatest port on the Pacific.
1t seems to be pretty we'll decided
that the extension will be from Evarts,
S. D.. instead Of from Chamberlain. If
from the latter point the route would
be through Milwaukee and would leave
st. Paul and Minneapolis off the trans
continental line. Either route would
be about 2,200 miles from Chicago
more than 100 miles shorter than the
Hill roads
The western end is to be built by
the Pacific Railway company, which
will, it is said. be capitalized for $751;
100000 and the stock will go into the
Milwaukee's treasury. In return for
the shares the Milwaukee will guar.
antee the interest on an issue of first
mortgage bonds for the new company
aggregating an equal amount. The
first issue probably will not be more
than $25,0O0,000 and the rest will be
put out from time to time as needed.
1t is estimated that the entire cost of
the extension will exceed 100000 900
including terminal facilities, and a
partial equipment Of the property.
Plans for Construction.
1t Is expected to have trains running
through to the coast within three
years time. CONSTRUCTION will be pros
ecuted from Seattle eastward, from
Evarts westward and in the mountain
divisions concurrently.
Unlike some transcontinental lines,
the Milwaukee will not cross the des-
ert, and every foot of the road will be
OF will become productive of tonnage.
In Tacoma the company already has
acquired 220 acres of tidewater flats
upon which will be constructed ample
freight and passenger facilities. In
Seattle the company owns seventeen
acres of fine terminal property on the
First avenue. To reach this district
the Hill lines have been compelled to
build a two mile tunnel under the
CITY, The company also owns twenty
acres Of water front. Butte is the only
important point where terminal facili-
ties have not been acquired, and 1T is
not expected any difficulty will be ex-
perienced in gaining entry into this
richest mineral storehouse in the
world.