Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-17
Southern Utah City Believed to
Be in the Lead for Re-
located Line.
PI0caE- SENDS IN AN APPEAL
Engineers Say, However, That Volume
or Business Over the Nevada Rouc
Would Cut Little Figure.

AS the probability that the Sa,t
Lake Route will not reconstruct its
line through the washed out district
IN the Meadow Valley country be-
comes more pronounced, competition
becomes stronger between st. George
and Pioche for securing the location
OF the through road. At a conference
held in this city between w. ii. Ram
croft first vice-presidcnt of the Sail
Lake Route. j. Ross Clark, second
vice-president. e. G. T1lton, chief en-
gineer and X. f, Wells. general man.
ager of the road. It was decided that
reconnaissance parties will be sent out
10 survey probable routes for the new
Inc through both sections. and that
upon the completion of these surveys
recommendations will be made as TO
the final location of the new line. Tho
surveys VIII be under the direction
of Chief Engineer Tilton. who made
tour of the flooded district last week.
and he Will be assisted by Carl
Stradley. one OF the most prominent
Locating engineers connected with the
Hartman system, and Arthur Nc
Guire, n we'll known locating engineer
OF the Salt Lake Route
In attendance at the conference was
James Andrus of ST. George, one OF
the leading men Of the southern Utah
city. Mr.. Andrus made a strong plea
for the location of the road through
his section, assuring the officials that
the people of St George
would contribute literally both
in the matter Of right of
way and in work to assist the line
10 get through. Surveys had been
made through this country several
years ago, but therough nature of the
Rio Virgin country, after leaving st.
George. was the greatest drawback for
locating the road there in the first
place. But since the succession of
disastrous foods which have over
whelmed the Salt Lake Route during
the last few years In the Meadow VAL
ley wash. the physical difficulties of
the Virgin river country are believed
TO be OF less consequence than the
danger of expensive floods In the
section through which the route now
passes.
PIOCHE IN TIE FIGHT.
The Phoebe country is not idle and
the leading citizens of that commune
ty, through their commercial club
have sent an appeal to the officers of
the Salt Lake Route to change its
line to go over the Bristol pass,
striking off from the present main |
line at Crestline and going by way OF !
Phoebe through the Delamar country |
and Bristol pass to the head of the |
Muddy river, and thence to the main |
line over the easiest grade accessible |
ever. does not depend entirely upon
the advantages of the route offered !
over any other for securing the loca-
ton of the new line. but implies a
threat In slam at the Mormon
Church should the officials of the
road select the st. George route.
One of the railroad officials said
today that other things being equal.
there was little doubt that the rec
OF the engineers would
be in favor of the St George route,
from the fact that local business on /
that route Is much greater than by
way of the proposed route via Bristol
pass
II will require a year perhaps. to
select the route and complete the con-
OF the new line. Meanwhile
In the nciChborhood of 1000 employees
OF the salt Lake Route are out of
work. except the train crews and
others VINO were able to secure posi-
TONS with tho Oregon Short Line and
Union Pacific The through business
handled by the Clark road
has been transferred to the Union
Pacific and Southern Pacific. and a
dozen or moro locomotives have been
taken over on these lines for the
handling OF tho extra volume Of busi-
ness. The suspension OF through
freight md passenger business In the
local Yards and Offices means n with
1rawal of nj least s12 600 a year to
The men who were employed In the
work. and an estimated loss OF half a
million year over the whole line.
LOCAL OFFICES CLOSE.
The uptown passenger Office of tho
salt Lake Route Will close. and tho
ticket Office of the Union Pacific and
Oregon Short Line. at Second South
and Main. viii likely move into the Of
hces now occupied by the Salt Lake
Route until the completion OF the new