The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-04-17
By Il. Z. snyder.

Washington. April ia contest of
no inconsiderable proportions between
two OF the great railway combinations
of the country is now on, and before
a conclusion Is reached there is likely
to be an abundance of fireworks. 1t
is renewal of the Hill-Harriman
fight, which was commenced early in
the year of 1901 for control of the
Northern Pacific road.
Some fifteen years ago the Union
Pacific railroad company obtained
right of way from Pasco along the
north shore of the Columbia river to
Portland. Oregon. and thence to the
sea at Astoria. This right of way
privilege was granted under the Act
of 1875. which provides that a railroad
company desiring to construct a line
of road over the public domain may
secure right of way by complying
with certain conditions, such as the
filing of maps in the Office of the Sec
retary of the Interior. the construction
of certain mileage within a given
time. etc. The law also provides that
if the conditions of the statute are not
complied with by the company within
five years from the date Of filing Of
the map of location the right shall be
forfeited. In this particular case the
Union Pacific did not proceed further
than the filing of its maps. and before
the five years limit had expired it had
obtained control of what is known as
the Oregon Short Line. which follows
the south shore of the Columbia into
Portland. The securing control of the
Oregon Short Line made it unneces-
sary for the Union Pacific to construct
the line first contemplated north of the
Columbia river.
Immediately following the adjust
ment of the controversy between Hill
and Hartman with respect to the con-
troll of the Northern Pacific, the his
tory of which is familiar to the public.
Mr.. Hill and his coadjutors conceived
the idea of running line down the
north shore of the Columbia river.
They proceeded quietly to secure the
necessary right of way, filing their
maps of location in compliance with
law. along the precise route which the
Union Pacific had intended to occupy
fifteen years ago; and, as the story
comes to your correspondent here, last
fall the Hill interests threw a force of
men and machinery into the field and
commenced construction south from
Pasco toward Portland; whereupon
the Union Pacific interests, forseeing
the completion of sharp competitive
line into Portland and Astoria, COM
menced proceedings in the circuit
court to enjoin the Hill people, and at
the same time prepared to begin the
building Of the line over their old
right of way.
The Hartman interests contend
that the rights secured by the Union
Pacific fifteen years ago had not
lapsed. although the law itself is very
explicit on this point and provides for
forfeiture at the end of five years if
certain portions of the road are not
completed.
Some time in February of this year,
T 80 ~:
of the Public Lands Committee in the
House, introduced general forfeiture
bill and in due course of time it was
reported to the House where it was
amended by adding proviso making
the forfeiture complete ION the ap-
proval" of the Lacey bill. This pro-
viso was inserted in order to overcome
some railroad conditions of like ma