The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-03-22
GREAT RAILROAD
BUILDING ERA
MORE TRANSPORTATION LINES
BEING BUILT IN INLAND EN-
PIRE THAN ANY SIMILAR
AREA IN THE WORLD.

eastern Washington, northern Idaho,
western Montana, northeastern Ore
gon and southeastern British Column
bia, than in any other similar area on
this continent. The mileage in Wash
ington alone is 1900 and the works in
the other three states and province
mentioned will bring the total to 3d.
900. approximately $50 miles of
line was built in Montana last year.
when that state headed the list in
the union for new work. There are
at present 1896 miles Of main lines,
branches. yard tracks and sidings in
Washington, which was second with
between 500 and 900 miles built in
1908. The completion of the main
line of the Chicago, Milwaukee &
Puget Sound railway will add as
much more more. In addition to
this approximately 100 miles of
steam and electric lines are project
ed to be completed before 1911.
Steam roads now in operation in
the Inland Empire are the Great
Northern, Northern Pacific, Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy, Spokane Falls
& Northern chill property, Spo-
kane International canadian Pacific
system). Oregon Railroad & Naviga-
ton company Chairman system)
Central Washington, Idaho & Wash
ington Northern.
Robert E. Strahorn, president of
the North Coast Railway company,
building from Spokane to the Sound,
announces it will be part of a tran
continental system, the name of
which of which he will not give out
at present. The Canadian Pacific al
so will be extended from Spokane to
the Pacific coast. These lines make
Spokane the greatest railroad center
west Of the Missouri river.
In addition to these activities it is
unoffcially announced that the Ca
madam Pacific and the Milwaukee
tsystems will be connected by a new
line to be built from the Canadian
boundary south down the Flathead
valley to Kalispell, Mont, and from
point on the Milwaukee, north to
that city. With this stretch of road,
so miles north of Kalispell and 70
miles south, the Milwaukee will be
able to reach the coal fields in British
Columbia, and the Canadian Pacific
road will find an outlet traversei by
the Milwaukee's coast line for lum-
Der and coal products on its lines
north Of the international boundary.
There are reasons to believe that
the Canadian Pacific will be factor
in the Inland Empire. The company
already has entrance to Spokane over
the Spokane International line, built
by D. c. Corbin of Spokane, and it
is now stated that a further extern
sion will be obtained to Portland
over the Oregon Railroad & Naviga-
ton company's lines. While this will
cut into the Hill, Hartman and Earl
ing territory, there is enough bust
ness in sight for all.
Economy of operation and facility
in handling freight from the east to
southwestern Washington and west
ern Oregon by way of Spokane have
been greatly promoted by the opening
of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle
line along the Columbia river. CIV
ing an outlet over practically water
grades for traffic which formerly
went over the Northern Pacific and
the Great Northern lines.
C. B. Pride, hydraulic engineer of
the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget
Sound railway, says that contracts
will be awarded shortly for two cleo
trio plants in the Bitter Root Noun
tains to furnish power for the OPP
Grafton of more than 100 miles OF
line on the Idaho division, between st.
Joe, Idaho and st. Regis, Mont. The
plants which will, as at first con-
furnish $4,000 horsepower,
are to be on the st. Joe river at st.
Joe, Idaho. and on the Missoula
river, 40 miles below Missoula. Mont.
The grades and curves are heavy, the
former ranging from az to per
cent. Several other possible power
sites have been located, and If it is
deemed advisable later to install
operation over a greater
portion of the road additional plants
can be established.
More than 10000 horsepower
energy IL developed in and
near Spokane, and there Is ct least
100000 horsepower available and
The expenditure upon
plants and service amount