The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-09-24
SEATTLE WILL BE TERMINUS OF
THE STRAHORN ROAD
Pittsburg & Gilmore to Be Built on to
Coast-Believed That it is to
Be the Northwestern

Pittsburg & Gilmore to Be Built on to
COast-Believed That ii is to
Be the Northwestern
The stamp of verification on the
Pittsburg & Gilmore railroad as
eventually extending from Salmon
City in Lemhi county along the Sal
mon river west to the Pacific coast
with Seattle terminal, and which
was limited at some time ago, is plac-
ed thereon by Robert b. Strahorn, the
mysterious railroad magnate of Spo-
kane. He has been successful in pur-
chasing right of way out of Spokane
to Walla Walla for branch feeding
line of the new transcontinental rail-
road which he is backing, and figur-
ing in the west as the chief promoter
of more powerful railroad construc-
tors. In an interview which he gave
In Seattle Strahorn says construction
work will be started out of Walla
Walla east along the Salmon river
to Salmon City to connect with, it is
considered certain, the Pittsburg &
Gilmore. Teton pass is to be the
route through the mountains.
Feeder to Boise
Strahorn and his associates are re-
ported to have outlined railroad
route which, while having a direct
Pacific coast terminal, will be amply
supplied with feeders connecting with
the larger cities not included on the
main line. According to reports
Boise will be on one of these feeders.
In other words the railroad program
as it now appears indicates that upon
the construction of the new line to
the coast, feeder will be built out of
Salmon City or Junction, in Lemhi
county west and south through ter
ritory rich in resources to Boise and
later continue on to the coast through
central Oregon to Coos Bay. This
feeder railroad men believe, will be
as good as through transcontinnent-
al line for it will give direct connec-
lions with other railroads and open
the north central territory as mar
ket for southwestern Idaho produce.
The powerful interests backing the
new railroad, believed to be those in
charge of the Northwestern, are
working through Strahorn to per-
feet their western plans. The sudden
although not unexpected death OF
Hartman leaves an opening that
these big railroad men are endeavor-
ing to take advantage off,
Strahorn Talks
"The North Coast is coming to Sc
attic, stated Strahorn while in Sc
attic the latter part of last week, and
in this declaration set to rest all
doubts with reference to his activity
in the railroad world. We intend to
make Seattle a terminal" he contin-
ued. 1--WE are not in a hurry in con-
structing our line. We are building
for permanency. 1t is better to go
slow and select careful route and
plan for the future than to hasten the
construction of a line and then re-
build it as other roads have had to do.
1--WE are coming across the noun
tains through Teton pass, which is
grouped in the several low divides
that are called Cowlitz pass. At the
present time we are watching the
development Of electrical power for
railroad use, and this will, to a great
extent, determine our route over the
mountains. If electrical power can
be utilized, we need not be so par
ticular about our grades, for we can
use 3 per cent grade, whereas with
steam power we wanted to get over
the hill on l " per cent grade, and
succeeded in locating such a route.
So it is worth the time to wait and
cut our line down by 20 or % miles.
No, we are not going to Chehallis or
Centralia, but have selected a route
through the timbered districts and
over an easy grade to the sound.
while the north coast may seem
a mystery to many persons, it need
not worry them, for we are building
line in this state to get business,
and are tapping the districts that fur
nish tonnage. Every road here is do
ing the same thing.
Coming for Business
"In regard to terminals, let me say
that railroad always has its larg-
est terminals where it gets the most
business. We are coming to the
sound for business, that's all. Why
do roads build to Chicago instead Of
ending at some outside city. st. Paul
Omaha, and other places are similar
examples.
1T may be perhaps two years be
fore we come to this city for, as
have said, we are in no hurry We
have been forced to put up costly
defense in several places, for the Hill
lines edo not like our entrance into
erse.ra telf4.osw AS1t- at .thG4 @rE92s t'Z-t
we are putting in six-tenths line
in places at one-third the cost of wha