Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-10-03
LONG RACE FOR
THE BIG MAIL
CONTRACT
CARRIAGE OF MAIL DEPENDS ON
SPEEDY ENGlNEs-FouR STEAM
GIANTS WILL CONTEST
ACROSS ILLINOIS AND
IOWA.

Omaha, Oct 1.-The greatest race
OF century, over course 500 miles
long, across rivers and prairies, the
racers being four great locomotives.
the largest and fastest ever operated
by trans-continental railroad, Is
soon to be pulled off between Omaha
and Chicago. The prize is contract
worth 100000, the donater being
the national government, and the win
ner, will also receive the honor and
prestige of being selected by the gov
eminent to carry the fast mail be-
tween the Missouri river and the
great lakes. AS its badge of honor
the winner will have the right to in
scribe on. its cars the magic words,
"the transcLntinental fast mall" and
its advertising matter may state "tne
route Of the overland fast mail"
Four Trunk Lines Involved.
The four monster locomotives which
will enter the race will travel over as
many different railroads.&c. North
western. the Rock Island, the Burling-
ton and the Illinois Central. The lat.
ter is a newcomer in the field Of the
fast mail, and it has never before
competed for the honor in past years
only the Northwestern and Burling-
ton we're considered of force enough
to haul Uncle Sans mail across the
country. But two years ago the Rock
Island decided 1t wanted throw"
and announced that it would go after
the contract The Burlington beat it
out. however, and retained the fast
mail.
All went smoothly until last spring.
Then came the new rate laws and
among all the states which passed e.
strictive laws Nebraska headed the
list. In retaliation the Burlington has
reduced the time of the fast mail un.
til now it requires about three days
for letter and an answer between
Omaha and Chicago A general howl
arose all over the west, and as re-
suit the government is going to relet
the contract, and to the road making
the best schedule and maintaining
that schedule for month will be Civ
en- the contract for the fast mail be,
tween the Missouri and the lakes
this including the mails for the Pa
cific coast and the orient as we'll as
the local Nebraska mail.
Northwestern First in Field.
J The Northwestern was the first road
In the field. and declared its intention
OF getting the contract If possible
Having the only double track between
Omaha and Chicago, and being short
er than any of its competitors. the
Northwestern claims that none Of the
! other roads can make better >time be
tween the two points.
But the Rock Island. since its fail
| ure to secure the contract two years
ago. has been preparing for the future
and to that end has rebuilt miles Of
its line through Iowa. 1t Is now hav
ing built six of the largest and fastest
| locomotives in the west and with
| these greyhounds 1t expects to be in
ahead Of the other racers.
The Burlington has had the con
tract for SO long 1t believes itself in
vincible, and It's officers say they dc
not fear the outcome.
But the Illinois Central is an un
known factor in the race-a "dars
horse" Never before has the Illinois
Contra! had the nerve to get in con
| test with the other giant lines between
Omaha and Chicago, where there is a
| run known as one of the fastest In
the country.
Central Latest Contestants.
The Illinois Central is practically &
newcomer in the west, 1t being onl,
a few years ago that that road was
/ built into Omaha Since that time i
has been steadily regarding and re
4 building. When Hartman secured
! control of the Illinois Central rysten