The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-17
Gossip Of Railwaymen

Cruz. and this concession is held open and is
ready for Hartman when he is ready to take il
up and build the line. For this concession de-
posit of something over 100000 has already
been made with the Mexican government. This
line will be built via Gamboa, the northern ter
minus of the Pan-American railroad, and when
Il arrives there connection win be made with
the Pan American. For the gap between the
present northern point of the Southern Pacific
survey and Acapulco a number of routes are
under consideration. A Mexico City company
holds one, which is said TO be the most available
one.
Arthur f. StillweIl, president of the
Kansas City, Mexico and Orient rail-
way. in recent interview said that by
August his line would be built into San
Angelo, Tex. and that since work was
begun on this road Sc towns have been
created along the route, each averag-
ing 1000 inhabitants. Continuing,
Stillwell said:
When our road is entirely
built it will shorten the distance
from the heart of the country
to the Pacific by 500 miles. We
have now in service so locomotives
and 1000 cars" Stillweu added that
our financial status is now of the
very best, and | consider the wide dis
tribution of the stock one of the most
beneficial features of the whole af-
fair"
The car efficiency committee of the
American railway association states
that the total number of surplus cars
in the United States and Canada June
l was 273,S90. a decrease compared
with the previous fortnight of TO- $50,
mand for coal and fiat cars reduced
the surplus of these classes 1872,
while the surplus of box cars increased
1855.
1t is asserted that James j. Hill will
spend within the next two years
s16.000,000 on the Northern Pacific in
reducing grades and in perfecting the
branch lines in North Dakota and Mon
tana in order to be able to compete
with the Chicago, Milwaukee and Pu-
get Sound in that territory Work has
been begun at various points along
the main line of the Northern Pacific
and. contracts for several large prof.
ects are already in the hands of the
general contractors of the road.
According TO report. western roads
have decided to abolish second class
tickets about July l, owing to de-
moralizing manipulation in the hand
ling of laborers. especially at Kansas
City and ST Paul. 1t is stated that it
is not uncommon for ordinary travel
ers in this way TO get the benefit of
reduced rates. 1t has been charged
that some roads have been dealing
with scalpers and permitting them. to
get parties of 10 or more together and
apply for the lower rates. The rail-
road secured the fun tariff rates for
the bogus laborers. whereas the
ticket scalpers charged the travellers
whatever he pleased under the full
first class rate.
Reports from the chief engineers
office of the Western Pacific state that
the track is now so miles west of
Winnemucca, and in the Sierra Nevada
six miles from Spring Garden tunnel
which is all ready for the rails. In
Nevada the track is one mile west of
Battle Mountain, there being a gap of
80 miles between Battle Mountain and
Winnemucca.
The Santa Fe will build a line from
Plainview to Lubbock, AZ miles, and
track laying will commence on july
and is expected to be completed nv
October l. This, it is said. is one OF
the most fertile sections of Texas.
II. r. Richie has been appointed
general agent of the Anchor line, to
succeed f. w Prince.
S. F. Booth of the Union Pacific is
at present at Fresno on company bust
ness.
j. Q. Barlow. assistant chief enei-
neer of the Southern Pacific. is on an
inspection trip of the northern lines
CIV e Twenty ninth street with NV line Of