The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-22
CANADA LINE MAY
RAE TARIFF WALL
Opening of New Empire and
Necessity at Home, Omens,
Hill Says.
Declares the United States Must
Find New Wheat
! Supply.
Special to The Journal.

Winnipeg, May 22.-Altho James J.
Hill while in this city recently declined
to make any public statement as to~the
route of his proposed new trans-Canadi-
an system, he discussed the matter free
lY with a Winnipeg business man, lnui-
eating many details Of the new line.
While the facts disclosed at this inter
view are now becoming well known in
an unofficial way, it is believed that
$they are none the less reliable since
they fit in perfectly with the general de-
tails as outlined in his public utter
fances by MI. Hill. The main question
bhas been~as to whether the new line
E.would run north or south of the Canadi-
fan Pacific. According to Mr.. Hill's pri-
Evate statement, a route north OF the
sCanadian Pacific railroad is to be chosen
Fas the country south of the older line
kdoes not promise as well as that to the
Fnorth. Asked whether the Canadian
Pacific would be crossed at Medicine
Hat, Mr.. Hill said that that was a de-
Etail not yet decided upon. He went on
ito say that in the construction Of this
line directness of the route would be
Fmade secondary to the consideration of
igrades. Low grades meant cheap rams
Eportation cost. Added to this factor,
Ewas the fact that the country north Of
Ethe Canadian Pacific was bound to sup
Fply heavy local traffic.
This same question of easy grades
was cited by Mr.. Hill in showing the
strategic value of the line from Winni-
peg to Duluth. While he does not ex-
pect to have an eastern outlet thru Can
ada over his own system, he does be-
,1ieve that in case it is desired to divert
traffic eastward thru the United States,
'the Duluth line will offer ideal facili-
ties.
Cutting Cost in Two.
"The great consideration in connec-
ton with railway transportation now is
the grades,' said Mr.. Hill. With
proper grades and satisfactory roadbeds
we can almost cut the cost of transpor-
tation in two, for it costs no more for a
Of cost in operation to run a heavy en-
CINE and a huge train ~of~cars, carrying
Transported OF roads Nv Where the the
the Canadian Pacific railway. For
the future the aim will be low
grades, good roads and the largest posi-
BILE rolling stock.' -
Promising to develop the lumber and
coal resources Of the Crows Nest and
and favorable rates, Mr.. Hill went on
to discuss the capitalization of his new
line. While the Northern Pacific lines
built for $e,ooo mile, he
considered this figure. altogether
too low for good roadbed and
stated that the new ines he would build
would cost from $4,000 to $4,000 a
mile. All this was to be done without
bonds or subsidy-nothing but stock
and the total cost of the road from Win
nipeg to Vancouver would be about
$30,000 900. This simplicity in fnanc-
ing the road would permit rates so ia
yorable that. the country served would
be immensely benefited.
- Tariff Will Disappear.
When the discussion approached the
subject of the market for this new
empire to be opened up for trade, Mr..
Hill repeated the statements of his pub
lie address in which he called attention
to the inevitable necessity that the
United States must be an importer of
wheat. At the present rate, of growth,
this condition would be reached by the
year 1910.
"Then will come your change in, the
CANADIAN west,' said MI. Hill. eve
shall be obliged to become the best Gus
toner you have. and how the order to
will astonish you. At first we may only
want a share of your surplus, but later
on it may tax your capacity to supply
the needs of this republic.
mo doubt the tariff will disappear.
1t should have been adjusted long be-
fore this, and the adjustment ought
certainly not to be much longer delayed.
Of course, your people are in no way
to blame; the responsibility all rests
with the statesmen this side Of the
line. -. ........ ..,.. -.
"Senator Hoar, in speaking of the
Dlngley bill recently. attributed the
prosperity of the country very largely
TO IFS 0npr9t1nnS and onnn1noaI that
1t was the wisest act that was ever
conceived by the mind Of mortal man.
Tentured the interviewer.
"How preposterous!' answered Mr..
Hill. "Why, about the very time, or a
little later, that Senator Hoar was Civ
the people OF his own state of Massa-
chusetts We're clamoring loudly for reci-
proc1ty with Canada, and what is more,
It looks as if they will not rest till
they get it,. How ridiculous for states
men to attribute the prosperity Of this
continent to- any mere act of parch-
ment! het-me tell you that the agricul-
turlsts OF this republic produced last
year in actual value over six billions
OF dollars worth of products. There is
the source OF the wonderful prosperity
of this country, which is able to sue
coed in spite Of the Dingley or any
1so You look for some more rational
trade relations between the countries
soon?' - -
eyes, I do. The great bulk of cur
people have been SO deeply absorbed in
their own affairs and in making money
that they have overlooked the matter.
but it is knocking at their doors most
persistently, and it will have to be
solved soon. just think what is hap,
pening even in spite of the artificial
barriers created to restrain reciprocal
trade. Why, our Interchange of bust
ness continues to increase at a surpris-
ing rate. Look at tie returns for last