The Dickinson press., 1909-08-14
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TO DICKINSON

President Elliot and Party Guests
of Commercial Club Construct
ing Lines North and South
Milwaukee May Come.
President Howard Elliot of the North
ern Pacific explained to members of
the Dickinson Commercial Club last
Friday evening some of the difficulties
of financing and managing great rail-
road corporation. He said that his
road had nearly 1900 individual
stockholders and of this number some
3. 900 were ladies and great many of
the holders were people of small means
and all wanted their stock to earn the
greatest possible amount. Mr.. Elliot
also explained how difficult it was to
get eastern directors and stockholders
to see the importance of making many
improvements which the officers of the
road felt were much needed, particu-
larly in Western North Dakota. He
hoped that the money market and other
coditions would be more favorable. dur
ing the next few years than they had
been in the past. In fact, he said that
he had reason to believe that they would
be.
President v. H. Stickney had called
the members together to meet President
Elliot, General Manager Geo. T. Slade,
General Superintendent G. A. Goodale
and party who were en- route west.
The meeting was informal and was for
the express purpose of getting better
acquainted with the N. P. officials.
Before introducing the visitors. Presf-
dent Stickney called attention to the
natural resources of this locality which
in time should make this the richest
part of North Dakota, and he said that
all we needed now was greater railroad
facilities and capital with which to
develop new industries.
President Elliot made a good impress
sion upon our citizens and while he
made no direct reference to north
and south line it was apparent that he
realized the importance of Dickinson
as coming distributing point need
ing greater railroad facilities. and that
if his road did not occupy the territory
some other road would within a short
time.
The other N. P. officials spoke briefly
and expressed their pleasure in meeting
so representative body of Dickinson
business men. When President Stickney
called for B. o. johnson, division
superintendent of the N. p. there was
a tremendous round of applause which
indicated the esteem with which the
citizens of Dickinson hold this man.
Judge W. c. Crawford made pleasing
remarks, also Attorney T. F. Murtha.
after which the visitors went to their
private cars for the night. their train
leaving at an early hour in the morn
ing.
There are indications on all sides of
the general activity of the Northern
Pacific officials in the territory west of
the Missouri river and it means a great
deal more than most people have any
idea.
Two things which are to have a
mighty bearing on the development of
this territory are already practically
settled with this great trans continental
line. A railroad is to be constructed
from Mandan up the Missouri river and
down the Yellowstone to Glendive.
Work was commenced this season.
At the same time work was commenced
on line down the Missouri river, fork
ing at a point 80 or 40 miles south of
Mandan and running west. This
westerly line runs parallel with the
main line and the grading contracts
are well under way as far as Mott, be-
yond which point options for right OF
way were recently secured as far west as
New England. Surveyors are at work
in the Bad Lands and until their reports
are acted upon no one will know
Just the course Of the road with reference
to New England. If the N. P. goes to
New England then the Milwaukee builds
to Dickinson and north. is the belief of
many well informed on railroad matters.
The N. P. will construct it's south line
through to some point on the main line
in Montana. possibly interesting at
Miles City. The.grade on both the
north and south lines will be much
easier than that on the main line. This
means that when completed the heavy
freight will run over the north and
south roads, leaving the main line for
through passenger trains and fast
freights. The, best possible work is
being done on their new lines, which
accounts for the company not being
able to complete but part OF the