The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-11-01
NORTH COAST ROAD
WILL CROSS COLUMBIA
Indications Now Point Strongly to a
Transcontinental Line-Stra.
horn Talks Of Plans.

Robert E. Strahorn, vice president
and general manager of the North
Coast Railway. was in the city last
Monday. He left that afternoon for
Seattle. Mr.. Strahorn is a very busy
man at this time. He has his hands
full of great many important un-
dertakings, which directly or indi-
rectly will effect this city and sur
rounding country. In addition to the
improvements here in connection
with the Northwest Water and Light
Company, of which he is president,
now occupies his mind is his inter-
est in the success or failure of the
North Coast railroad project. In
speaking of the railroad matter to a
Herald reporter, Mr.. Strahorn stated
that the company was manifesting
more interest every day in the devel-
opment of its plans. I'VE now have
six distinct engineering outfits in the
field, endeavOring to ascertain the
most feasible routes for our road.
OF course, we know for a certainty
that the route of the road from North
Yakima to Cowlitz will be up the
Natchez valley. We are now looking
for way to the Columbia river.
We have two routes under contem-
plation, one through the Mckee to
Coal Creek and the other down the
valley through Zillah, Sunnyside, XII
Ona and thence on to Wallula juno
ton. The reports Of the engineering
parties will determine, OF course, the
route to be followed. Even though
we should select the Cold Creek
route, II is our intention to put a
branch line through to the Sunnyside
country, as we fully appreciate the
great value of this section, and what
effect its development will have on
the country at large. I am not pre-
pared to say at this time just how
soon we will begin to lay the rails
in the Natchez. This is a matter
which will depend upon future activ-
ity on the part of the company
have let several contracts for rock
ing men at various points up the
valley. One difficulty that I am ex-
perie4cing is that of being unable
to secure men for the work.
I'VE have established offices in this
city, from which we will conduct the
business of the road in the Yakima
valley"
Mr.. Strahorn still declines to say
what are the real interests he repre-
sents, but made the statement in the
interview that it would eventually
bring another transcontinentaI sys-
tenn to the coast That the North
Coast line is to connect with the Taco
ma and Eastern he does not deny,
and all surveys lead to Cowlitz pass.
The line from Wallula to North
Yakima, as surveyed. will parallel
the NJ p. for nearly 10 miles. Leav-
ing Wallula 1t will come up the CO.
lumbia and cross to the east side Of
th6rYakima river Just above that
streams mouth and follow the east
bank to this city.
Regarding the probable connec-
tion with the Tacoma and Eastern,
Mr.. Strahorn said:
''It is possible we may take over
that road, and then we may decide
to build an entirely new line from the
pass to the Sound. The Tacoma and
Eastern Is not wilhin sixty miles of
the Cowlitz pass. So. you see. wei
would have long distance to build
to reach It before we could make con-
nections."
Mr.. Strahorn said In the course of
his remarks that the North Coast
company would apply for franchise
at Walla Walla this week, indicat-
ing its intention to cross the Column
bia. Since It has become definitely
known that the road will touch at
Walia Walla. great many OF the
local business men are Of the opfn-
ion that instead Of the North Coast
being financed by the Chicago, MIL
waukee and St. Paul, It IL more than
likely an extension OF the o. r.. e N.
to Puget Sound. They now believe
that Hartman il behind the scheme.
The future has yet to verify or dis
prove these theories.