The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-10-05
RAILROAD GRANTS BATTLE
Hill and Hartman Struggle For
Great Mest.
BOTH WOULD CONTROL LAND AND SEA
PACIFIC COAST TO BE NETWORK
OF DOUBLE TRACK
LINES.
BOTH WOULD CONTROL LAND AND SEA

tenn will practically control the north
and south trade of the Pacific coast
with a line from the border of Canada
into the center of Mexico.
This is what railroad prognosticators
have outlined, and while the Northern
terminus will not be quite to the Brit
ish domain, the Oregon & Washington
line from Portland to Everett will
bring it to within a comparatively
short distance. With the present main
line from this city to San Francisco
and the coast line from the Bay city
to Los Angeles, large share of the
system is already a reality, but with
the diversion of the main line traffic
by way of Drain to Marshfield and
thence down the coast to San Fran
cisco via Eureka, another link will
be forged.
The Sunset route will be operated
south of Los Angeles to Yuma. Then
the shore of the Gulf Of California will
be used on the new road building to
Guaymas and Guadalajara. 1t is re-
ported the latter extension is b-,ng
hurried under orders from headquar-
ters, and it is anticipated the terminus
will eventually be the City of Mexico.
Hill Possible Competitor.
While Mr.. Hartman is credited with
trying to control the trade of the
coast, recent reports indicate lie has
a close second in J. ]. Hill. With the
latter already strong on the Sound and
making great inroads into the Portland
traffic, he is said to have made vast
purchases at San Francisco, with the
idea of including that city on his map
and if he progresses that far it is
conceded he will follow Hartman into
other territories, though probably not
with parallel lines. On the other hand,
those who profess to follow move
ments of the magnates closely say
ting to the principal ports with the
idea of controlling the transcontinental
business as much as possible, at the
same time following the Hartman
venture of trans-Pacific fleets.
After Ocean Trade.
The Hill house flag is regarded as a
permanent adjunct to the ocean COM
merce of the Sound and he has prom
Used to supply Portland with vessels
for Far Eastern needs when the north
bank road is opened and sufficient
water is available on the bar. If he
persists in continuing to the Bay city
| it is confidently felt he will pit more
of his big carriers against the Pacific
Mail and Oriental & Occidental.
Mr.. Hills steamship venture on the
Sound is now taken as an illustration
Of his far-sightedness. When the Da-
kota and Minnesota were launched it
was freely said among mariners that
the huge craft would be failures. So
far this has not been admitted by the
magnate. On the contrary, it is said
the twin ocean greyhounds have prov
ed a success. Among railroaders it is
pointed out that any losses the steam
ers might have met with are covered
up in the earnings of the Great North
ern and Northern Pacific because of
the haul and rail lines are given on
cargo destined to the Orient by way
of the Sound or brought from the Far
East for points beyond the Rockies.
Acquiring Other Lines. :.
In possessing the Burlington, Mr..
| Hill is thought to be secure in so far
as the transcontinental trade is af-
fected. Mr.. Hartman is believed to
be following suit in acquiring the B. &
o. He is also reported to have Sc
cured stock in the Chicago, Milwaukee
& st. Paul. In the latter case it is
felt that even though he fail to croral
the majority Of the stock, his holdings
will give him power to make the c.
NJ & St. p. handy ally for the Union
Pacific. With the north bank line AMI
the road to Spokane from it, coupled
with the Washington & Columbia
River and the branch lines to be built
after the main line is open to the
Rose City, Mr.. Hill is expected to have
equally as strong grasp on the trade
of the Northwest as that enjoyed by
Mr., Hartman. That he should look
to the South for more traffic is re-
garded but natural.
At any rate the efforts Of the two