Lewiston inter-state news. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1905-1906, 1905-04-18
new LINES
seem SURE
Prominent Portland Railroad Man
Declares the Northern Pacific
is to Build

Ne!Hs parties tnat Tor time last
month Haunted the red flag of railroa d
war. does not mean that extensions will
not be built. While it is generally con-
ceded that truce-whether lasting or
temporary-has been patched up in
New York, it is not believed that the
plans of either Of the great railroad
interests, Hill or Hartman. will be
permitted to settle back into the leath-
argic condition that formerly prevailed.
A prominent railroad official, who is
in position to know the inner workings
of Pacific northwest railroading, made
statement to The Telegram. in which
he states it as his opinion that needed
extensions of both the O. r. & N. and
the Northern Pacific will be built with
in comparatively short time, and that
territory that has been long dormant
will be opened as a result This man,
who could not permit his name to be
used, said:
1T certainly did look like war be-
tween the systems a short time ago
but the withdrawal of the surveying
parties has at least brought a guaran-
pose it took certain show of activity
to scare the financiers into renewing
the agreement but the fact that the
old agreement ever stood in the way OF
being violated indicates to my mind
that one or the other-perhaps both
of the railroads want extensions and
new lines. AS result l think it has
been agreed between them that work
will go on. but just when and where
it will begin remains to be seen.
Northern Pacific Led the Fight.
The Northern Pacific was the first to
put surveyors in the field in the Lew
iston country. in the vicinity of the old
Clearwater cutoff route. l believe that
the work of this party was genuine and
that the Northern in reality desires a
road through that way down the north
bank of the Columbia to tide water.
But think the surveyors the Hartman
people put in the field in that section
were for bluffing purposes merely.
THE Hartman people have nothing
to gain by building there, yet if the
Northern had built just at that time
I am convinced that the o. r. & N.
would have followed suit. The result
would have been that both lines would
have been operated at a loss, for there
would not have been enough business
in the district to support two roads.
The Northern would have had the bet
ter of it, however. for the cutoff could
have been employed to reduce the main
line haul.
THAT the Northern will build this
line have not the least doubt 1t may
not be done this year. but l am of the
opinion that work will start within
the twelvemonth.
with the Hartman road it is a diff
ferent matter. The war--or threat of
war-seems to have been made by the
Northern Pacific. and the moves made
by the opposition We're mainly in the
light of defensive. or bluffing schemes,
to my mind However. it is well known
that there is much country that would
yield rich tribute to extensions Of the
Hartman lines in the northwest. The
central Oregon country is not alone in
this regard. There is much territory
in eastern Oregon and southern Oregon
is not without its opportunities.
Northern Pacific Fears Open River.
'Tn know in spite Of all that has beer
said. that there is great fear in the
| tents of the Northern Pacific ofhcials
of the open river proposition. There il
much country tapped by the Northern
that is tributary to the Columbia. The
Washington and Columbia River rail
! road is the best paying feeder ths
| it ships yearly from the Walla Walla
country brings in revenue that mor'
| than pays the original cost of the road
Practically all Of this country is trib
utary to the Columbia river. and IL thu
farmers chose they could ship by water
after the river is once opened to nav
| igation.
Now. the cost Of hauling by rail 4
Puget Sound from the Walla Walls
country is great There s mountain
range to cross and much fuel Is con
sumed and traction curtailed. 1t l
realized that this expense Is so hig
that convection with river rates Nigh
be a hard matter. But with roa
down the Columbia to Portland
Vancouver. the Northern Pacific woul
be put on put on an equal footing wit
the steamer shippers and would avoi
the mountainous haul and save til
fuel and traction.
THESE are matters being given con
sideration. and this. to my mint
means that the Northern Pacific wi
build down the Columbia. 1t wi
meas a loss to Tacoma of much Of III
wheat she is shipping at the preseI
time. but it will aid Portland and wi
save money to the railroad. ultimately
Washington. April Ex-senator Hey
burn had another conference with Fol-
ester Pinchot today. and was assure