The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-04-28
GOULD REACHES
FOR PORTLAND
Line Blocked 0at From Winnemucca,
New, to Oregon.
WESTERN PACIFIC FEEDER?
ANOTHER LINK IN TRANS
CONTINENTAL CHAIN.

George J. Gould is evidently reach
ing out toward the north for an outlet
to the ocean by way of Portland. The
Portland Telegram has an article tha5
is especially significant at this time in
view of the definite move to build the
Western Pacific. The article indicates
that Gould is preparing to measure
swords with Hartman in a section that
up to this time has been considered the
exclusive preserves of the Iast-named
magnate. Moffat and an English syn
dictate are made to figure in this arti-
Gle, but on the surface the move is es-
sentially GOuld's. The line from Win
nemucca, New, north would be but a
branch of the Western Pacific system.
The Moffat line when built Will be but
another link in the same great trans
| continental chain. The Telegram says:
Absolute secrecy has been main
tanned of the fact that a survey has
been made of a projected new railroad
TO extend from Salt Lake City to Port
4. land completing the links in a survey
that was originally begun many years
ago. and which il now appears is in be-
half of English investors who are be-
hind the construction of the Denver,
Northwestern & Pacific. The survey
skirts the south end of Salt Lake from
the capital of Utah. extends in almost a
direct line to Winnemucca, New, and
thence swings northwest in almost a
direct line 10 Diamond pass through
the Cascades. in eastern Lane county
south of Diamond peak. and descends
to the Willamette valley near Spring
field.
Backed by English Capital.
Information that the maps of the
route have been furnished TO English
investors is positive. and that it is
4 from q strong American company is
also stated, but 1T is left to onjecture
as to whether that is the Gould inter
ests or the Denver. Northwestern & Pa
cific. The latter up to the present time
has remained an independent company.
1t is known that David H. Moffat
president of the new DenVer-Salt Lake
road. when at the head of the Rio
Grande railroad, made all preparations
for construction of this road over the
same route, to connect at Winnemucca
with the OregOnian railroad, then build
ing through the Willamette valley, and
which was afterwards absorbed by the
Southern Pacific.
Agreements for uniting and opera
ton of the two roads had been signed
at that time and the bonds of the pro-
jected road subscribed at price above
par in foreign countries. It was Just at
that stage that an offer of a guarantee
of per cent on stock and bonds for
term of nlnety-nine years was offered
the builders of the OregOnian railway,
and greed OverCame their better judg-
ment, so the bonds were never issued.
From Winuemucca to Portland by the
surveyed route is 430 miles. and the
route would be the shortest by all odds
OF any between Portland and Salt Lake.
with the additional saving Of about $50
miles between that city and Denver
that viii be made over present routes
by tie Moffat road.
Route Over the Cascades
Diamond pass, at Summit lake,
where the passage through the Cas-
cades would be, is at an altitude of less
than 5000 feet. and the most desirable
OF all the passes between eastern and
western Oregon south of the Columbia
river. Grades of , per cent would rare
" have to be exceeded on any portion
Of the route.
Since it is known that the original
surveys We're made for President Mof-
fat Of the Denver. Northwestern & Pa
cific il is reasonable to conclude thar
now. since all bonds of the company
have been placed. the meaning OF that
last word in the corporate title may be
that he has never forgotten his initial
plans of former years to make the Ore
gon country contribute traffic to his
road Additional reason for this con
clusion may be found in the secrecy
that has been maintained concerning
the projected extension into Portland
through southeastern Oregon.
Recalling the story of the defeat Of
the plan for another tranScontinental
road even before the Northern Pacific
had reached the coast, also recalls that
three shiploads of steel rails had been
bought at Antwerp and were en- route
here to be used in building the road.
When the stockholders We're deceived
into accepting the guarantee of high
interest that was not made in good
faith, the rails were bought in the same
transaction.
But for the skillful coup whereby the
immediate construction was not only
prevented, but the entire enterprise
stopped. that would have been the first
transcontinental road into Portland.
But the bond buyers had changed their
minds when the stockholders woke up,
and did not then care for the bonds
that they would have gladly taken at
a premium before. Through a very
great portion of Nevada, the construc-
ton cost would be extremely low, the
character of the country being such
that about all that is necessary is to lay
the ties and distribute the rails from
the front end of a tracklaying train"