The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-04-17
THE RAILROADS
ARE DISCUSSED
BOOSTERS TALK BRANCH LINE,
CUTOFF AND TRAIN SERVICE.
ALL ARE PROBABLE
Necessity for Immediate Action to Sc
cure Milwaukee Branch, Billings &
Northern Train Service and Bur-
lington Cutoff.

The necessity for immediate and
concerted action on the part of the
people Of Billings to persuade the
Milwaukee Railroad company to build
q branch line into Billings, the Bill
ings & Northern Railroad company to
run their trains out of Billings and
the Burlington to build the Frannie-
Fromberg cutoff, was urged in strong
language by half a dozen speakers at
last nights meeting Of the Billings
.'25,O00 club"
The fact that at present there is a
man in the city looking up the FEAST
bility Of a branch line for private
parties was disclosed; the benefits to
be derived by the Billings & North
ern Railroad company running trains
out Of Billings were set forth and the
progress Of the movement to persuade
the Burlington to build the Frannie-
Fromberg cutoff at once was mar
rated.
Postmaster Prickett started the dis
cussion on the railroads by stating
that at present j. j. Henry was in
the city looking over the field and as
certaining what the shippers would
do, If branch line from the Mil
waukee was built into Billings.
Branch Considered, vi
He stated that he believed that the
parties whom Mr.. Henry represented,
were seriously considering building a
branch line and suggested that COM
mittee be appointed to meet Mr.. Hen.
ry and do everything possible in as
sisting him in gathering the informa-
tion he is seeking.
Mayor Foster stated that branch
line could be built at almost water
grade and that the road could take in
the coal fields in the Bull mountains.
w. "A. Selvidge urged that imme-
diate action should be taken to per-
suade the Billings & Northern com
pany to run its trains out Of Billings.
He said that when the surveys for
the Milwaukee's main line were be-
ing made the people Of Billings did
not make the proper effort to get the
company to build its main line
through Billings, but instead turned
their attention toward persuading the
Northwestern to build this way.
Must Send Delegation.
He declared that unless some ct.
fort was made the Billings & North
ern would run trains out of Laurel
and showed the necessity for imme.
diate action.
He advocated the sending of del
egation Of business men to st. Paul
to persuade the oficials Of the road to
run trains out Of Billings and the ap-
pointment Of another committee to
meet Mr.. Henry on the proposition Of
building branch line from the Mil
waukee.
He said that the chamber Of COM
merce was working on the Frannie-
Fromberg cutoff and the organization
was awaiting decision in the mat.
ter. He declared that he wouldn't be
surprised to see work started on the
cutoff within six weeks after the com
pany gives its decision on the ques-
ton.
Mayor Foster and w. M. Johnston
heartily endorsed the sending of del
egation of business men to st. Paul
and both declared that nothing could
be gained unless such a delegation
was sent.
Postmaster Prickett said that If the
Billings & Northern would run its
trains out Of Billings and IL trains
were operated over the Frannie- From
berg extension, more than Is addi-
tional railroad mail clerks would make
their headquarters here.
"Uncle Paul" Dubious.
Paul Mccormick was dubious as to
the success Of the movements to se-
cure branch line from the MilWau-
kee, train service out OF Billings over
the Billings & Northern and the Fran
ie-Fromberg extension. He declared
that the three movements were op-
posed to each other to certain ex-
tent since in attempting to secure a
branch line from the Milwaukee the
Hill interests would be antagonized.
He asserted that it was his belief that
when the Milwaukee does build a
branch line this way it will be to the
boundaries of the Yellowstone Ma
tional park. "a,
In support Of his argument as to
the antagonism Of railroad interests.
he told Of how Mr.. Hill had told the
residents of Bismark, N. D., on one,
occasion that IL they didn't cease
grunting over freight rates and treat
ment accorded the city by Hill road.
he would give them something to
grunt about.
All three Of the movements were