The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1909-02-03
NORTHERN PACIFIC PLANS
FOR IMPROVED FACILITIES
Whole Railroad Situation of North
west Made Clear and Relief
Measures DivuIgcd.

Measures Divulgcd.
II President Howard Elliott of the
Northern Pacific railroad was afflict-
ell with any vague notions about the
pride of North Yakima citizens or
had any doubts before meeting them
rs to whether or not they were thor
oughly interested in their home town,
those misgivings and doubts must
have been cleared up immediately
when he was introduced to the crowd
that assembled in the rooms of the
Commercial club Friday evening.
Every business interest was rep
resented for practically every mem
Der of the club was present to hear
what the railroad man had to say,
and if enthusiasm is any criterion.
the remarks of President Elliott met
with a most hearty response.
New station This Year.
That plans are now being prepared
for new passenger station for this
city which will cost upwards Of SEQ.
900 is the announcement OF the
Northern Pacific, which came from
the head of that system himself. The
structure will be modelled after the
design of a new station house just
completed in Billings and will be
built of either brick or stone. mat
ter yet to be decided.
This station will be located Just
north of the present depot states
President Elliott. and the plan is that
there shall be plenty of room at the
platform for twelve-coach train to
stand on the tracks between Yakima
avenue and b street without blocking
either crossing.
Fruit Booth.
A location for a fruit booth will
be designated at one end of the new
building, where suitable building
may be constructed for fruit and
vegetable display typical Of this val
ley, so that passengers may have an
excellent opportunity to see the pro-
ducts of this section while passing
through on the train. This is one
of the requests recently made of the
Northern Pacific by the Commercial
club.
In private conversation President
Elliott dashed off rough sketch of
the proposed building and pointed out
that the plan comprehended a capaci-
ty great enough to accommodate the
trauic of a city three times the pres
size. also that if still larger struc-
ture were necessary in time. a few
alterations would accomplish the re-
quirementS OF the case very hand
somely. AS to architecture, design.
accessibility and convenience, the new
station promises to be all that the
most factidious could desire.
Interesting Facts.
In beginning his talk, President
Elliott went into the railroad situa-
ton in this state in some detail. He
pointed out that the Northern Paci-
fic has in this state some 1900 miles
of railroad, 10000 employees and
pays thousands of dollars in taxes.
He pointed out further that during
the last five years, his road has ex-
pended a total of 800, 100000 in
equipment. extensions and repairs.
That it will be necessary to expend
another 800, 900, 900 during the next
FIVE years is his opinion.
Hard Situation to Meet.
He made 1t plain that this was
caused by the exceptional growth of
the northwest and in this connection
took occasion to say that only by the
most careful management was the
road able to meet the expense de-
mands because during that period on
81,
Going into the transportation stu
alton he stated that the sidings placed
and the expense entailed had of itself
somewhat impaired the service. but
that the tremendous demands upon
the system had taxed resources to
the utmost and caused the delays in
securing cars and in shipments OF
produce. He said that the manage
ment was Just as anxious to have the
trains on time as was the public. just
as anxious that everyone should Sc
cure freight car on the dot as the
shipper, and probably more so.
Better Service in Future.
Against this situation he pitted the
new equipment of the road and the
provisions that have been made for
handling freight and passenger traffic
and stated that diminution of the
difficulties might be looked for in the
future.
In this connection he verified the
report that a better passenger train
service is to be installed, for the as
surance was given that beginning
May 20. electric lighted and modern
trains would replace the ones now in
use. A local train affording Seattle
Spokane service is also among the
possibilities.
Northern Pacific Connections.
The move whereby the Northern
Pacific recently secured control OF the
Colorado Southern was also touched