The Dickinson press., 1909-02-27
RAILROAD TALK

ing season, and almost every
locality has some seemingly we'll
defined survey which is to bring a
road before the close of another
season. Investors think that they
have received inside information
and know just where the new road
is to be built. If he has interests
north of the transcontinental line
then he is pretty sure to have re-
ceived a tip that the work this
year is to be up the Missouri river
or along the Knife river. Those
interested south of the main line
of the Northern Pacific are more
inclined to the belief that all
work this year is to be centered
on the branch proposed for south
ern Morton and central Hettinger
counties.
Last week the Glendive Review
set forth reasons why the Missouri
river grade road from Mandan to
Glendive would be constructed
this year. One of the arguments
which the Review advanced was
that the Northern Pacific had
about completed traffic arrange
ments with the Northwestern road
that would make it important to
improve the line of the former
corporation in every way possible.
The old pioneer line must be
shortened, grades cut down, etc.,
in order that it'may more success
fully cope with its competitor,
the Milwaukee, for coast business,
says the Review. All this seems
feasible in a way, but building up
the Missouri river from Mandan
or south to the Cannon Ball
country does not shorten the line,
as an examination of the map will
reveal to any person.
The construction of what is
termed in railroad circles as a
water grade railroad up the
Missouri river from Mandan and
down the Yellowstone river to
'Glendive. would give the Northern
Pacific a much better grade than
is possible to be had on the main
line, and it would be of great ad-
vantage in the transportation of
heavy through freight, at the same
time taking care of a large bust
ness that now goes north of the
Missouri river to the 500 line.
1t would also tend to keep all
railroad competitors north of this
big river out Of southwestern
North Dakota for many years to
come. The right-of-way for this
proposed branch has been pur-
chased for considerable OF the
distance up the river, but nothing
more.
Surveys have been made for
proposed lines south of Mandan,
one line following down the Mis-
souri, river to Fl. Yates and the
other bearing more to the west
and passing through Flasher ir
Morton county, thence in {
westerly direction to Mott anc
New England in Hettinger county
The right of-way has not beer
secured on the Cannon Ball route
beyond Flasher. Surveyors have
been in the field during the winte
and just this week staked the pro
posed line through the historic
village of New England. Tn
people of Hettinger county ar
very much excited over thes
railroad prospects. This is natur;
and is what the pioneers of oul
state have witnessed many times
Railroad construction is certai
to augment the development c
the country both north and.sout
of the N. P. line in this part c
the state, but just how fast an,
how soon no one can tell.
In the meantime the settlers a
a considerable distance from rail
road facilities must make the bes
Of conditions as they are. If to
far from market it will pay best t
grow less grain and more liv