Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-10-29
'PHELAN Tells
A FEW SECRETS
Former General Superintendent
OF the Burlington Talks ON
The Extension Projects.
HARTMAN BLOCKED SCHEME.
How II Was That burlington Did Not
Build 10 Salt Lake -Four
Years Ago.

j. II, Phclan, OF Alliance, Nob,. who
resigned last August from the general
suporintendenoy Of The Burlington lines
west OF the river. Is at the Knutstord
hotel with Ars. Phnlan. after n very
pleasant vacation trip 70 the Pacific
Ian has served In various important ca
Spacities with the Burlington system for
quarter Of century; in fact he SUI
perintended the construction OF many
OF the most important extensions into
tho west and northwest, including the
Billings extension. when the pessImlstic
Boston papers We're trying to throw OBJ
siacles In the way claiming that Presi-
dent Perkins was building into the sage
brush where the interest on the bonds
.conld never be paid. and that money
was being squandered. Mr. Perkins
knew better than the Boston howlers
what the prospects were and so did
Aif. Phelan, hts right bower aud both
kept steadily AT work. The outcome
ihas amply justified Mr.. Perkins fore
sight as 10 the possibilities OF the
great west, for the amount OF business
shat has now for long time been
done on the Montana branch Is some
kthing phenomenal.
When asked IL the Burlington really
intended 10 extend through 10 the coast.
MIR Phclan said that an immense coast
business was being done through tho
Killings connections with the Northern.
Pacific, as the James j. Hin interests
control the Burlington, 80 that II Is not
necessary 10 build west 70 tide water
IN order 10 get through business, But, II
was the intention OF the company 10
,buiid west from Guernsey, Wyo, 10 Salt
Lake city, and this would have been
done but for 70. II. Hartman. about
four years ago. You see, this would
have given Salt Lake connection with
Omaha SO miles shorter than over the
Union Pacific. and what Is more. with.
out any appreclable grade, az compared
With the Sydney-Choyenne and the
sherman hlIl grades, Mr.. Hartman
Taught on 10 this, and did his best to
prevent II, and one factor OF Importance
~ the move was the acquisition OF SUI.
firient Northern Pacific stock TO give
Mr. Hartman a voice In the directory
and thus enough influence 10 shut on
the proposed extension 10 Salt Lake OF
the burlington. In tho effort to buy
up tho desired amount Of stock, the
price OF Northern Pacific went up 10
si,0Oo per share, and Mr. Hartman sue
eeeded IN securing voice IN Northern
Pacific management. This shut of the
Burlington extcnsion---for the time be-
Ing; but Mr. Phelan IN not so sure but
mat II VIII yet be built, and Salt Lake
given n shorter line 10 Omaha.
Mr.. Phelan knows Frank Spear,nan
Very well, and says the noted story
writer was an operator on the Burling-
ton NJ McCook. but afterwards resigned
70 become local banker. The directors
OF the Burlington have been very good |
10 Mr.. Phelan, for they have continued |
his salary through the year IN consider |
alton OF his long and valuable service
with the road. He has had several Of
fers to return to rairoadlng, but after
all these years he feels that II win be
we'll TO take rest