Williams news., 1907-05-18
SANTA FEES NEW CUTOFF

nounced from San Francieco head quarters of the Santa Fe system that the main line of the Santa Fe Pacific system will be abandoned west from Ash Fork to Amboy, Cal, the second station west of Needles, and that the Needles bridge, one of the largest canti- levers in the world, will be aban- doned under the new order, and it appears that number of import ant points west of Ash Fork in this territory and California will be without railroad communication if the directorate Of the Santa Fe does not elect to operate the present main line or at least part of it as d branch after the new line is built.
 This decision of the Santa Fe has been reached after delibera- tions covering several years. dur ing which time numerous corps of engineers have been employed in making surveys over other pro- posed routes, with a view of devel- oping the typographical features of the country and the esta blishment of new line that will eliminate the heavy grades of the present main line as well as avoid the heavy snowfalls of the higher attitudes during the winter season. 1 The country south from point several miles east of Fla gstaff has been thoroughly explored with a view of establishing feasible route through the Mogollon mountains and the Hell's Canyon country. without success, says the Phoenix Democrat. and the decision was finally reached to start the new line from Ash Fork several months ago, hefore the construction of the magnificent depot and Harvey house was commenced at that point.
 During the past year several surveys have been made from Ash Fork to connect with the A. & C.. railroad. now under construction to the Colorado river, and it is known that route has been found of easy grade that will bring the main line within fifteen miles of Prescott that can be constructed at reason able expense and in which no stupendous engineering feats will be encountered, such as the Tux ton canyon on the main line west nf Kingman, where the track is washed out of existence almost annually by heavy cloudbursts.
 The route established by the recent surveys follows the present main line of the S. F.. P. < P. as far as Valley station, where it crosses into Big Chino valley and follows Williamson. valley north of Granite mountain 10 the Tonto divide. reaching into Skull valley which it touches, to the main line nf the s. F., P. & F.. avoiding the heavy grade south of Prescott over the Iron Springs divide. It follows the S. F., P. 65 P. tracks, with few exceptions, until Hillside station is reached, where it bears westerly along Date creek into the Bill Williams range. where it goes down the Bill Williams river 10 the Colorado, which it follows to the new bridge to be built for the A. & c. near Parker.
 Another survey diverges from this one at Date creek. entering Cactus Plain. also known as Gun ningham m valley, which it follows to a point on the A. & c. railroad four miles east of Bouse From this point it follows the main line of the A. & c. to the bridge over the Colorado at Parker. In ad dition to being a transcontinental route, the new line will open one of the richest mineral sections in the west, in the Bill Williams and Cunningham Pass country, in which several producing properties are now being operated on small scale, but which are capable of great production with railroad transportation within easy reach affording an opportunity to ship immense amounts of low-grade ores that cannot be marketed now at profit.
 Fourth of July Meeting