The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-01-20
B i | | D | n 6
OF GOU [ D
ROAD

High tribute was paid to the Utah
Construction company for It's share In
the building Of the Western Pacific
railroad when the business interests
of California represented In the San
Francisco Chamber of Commerce. and
the officials OF the road met at a ban
quet given January Z.
The occasion had the double pur.
pose of honoring Chief Engineer V.
G. Bogue OF the Western Pacific, and
signalling the completion of the new
est Pacific highway
Fellcitous speeches marked the ban
quet evening, and the speakers were
men prominent In the commercial af-
fairs of the west and high officials In
railroad circles. President w. II. Wat
It's OF the Utah Construction company
was an invited guest He returned
from the coast this morning.
Chief Engineer Bogue, IN his re-
sponse, took occasion to thank the
workers upon whom fell the task of
the actual construction. and to com
pliment the Utah Construction com
pany for It's great share in the build
ing of the road
Chief Engineer Bogue said:
"a railroad has been built across
the mountains and plains from San
Francisco to Salt Lake City. nine
hundred twenty-seven miles. It has
been a great Undertaking. one OF the
greatest OF our time
You have asked US to meet you
here at this banquet to congratulate
US. and as well yourselves and the
people at large, on the completion OF
this work. and to greet and welcome
those who are to operate the property.
In behalf of all those brave men
and good who have been associated
with me, as well as in my own behalf,
/ extend thanks for the high honor you
here pay us | shall always remember
this occasion with gratitude and
pride.
"a railroad like the Western Pacific
Is the outcome Of a vast amount of
human endeavor No man can claim
all the credit There are the origin.
al promoters. the engineering, legal
and accounting staffs. the contractors
and workmen. and above all the bank,
ers and the company which may stand
as guarantee that the funds for con-
struction will be provided. Besides
all these there are the multifarious
elements, including moral support
such as you have extended to us, all
of which go to make up the total.
The conception of competing
road from San Francisco to Salt Lake
City had been often considered by
various companies and engineers dur
ing many years before the construc.
uon OF the Western Pacific was un-
dertaken. but with respect TO the idea
which the Western Pacific now repre-
sents. lasting credit should be given
our worthy president, Mr. F T. JEFF
cry. of New York. A former citizen
OF San Francisco also had much to
do with the enterprise in its incep-
ton. and I want to say here, that he
ought not to be altogether forgotten
here
1.-THE construction OF the Western
Pacific has been carried on during
troublouS times. We have had to con-
tend with serious shortage OF labor
and transportation facilities, with two
big floods. the fire which destroyed
San Francisco, and the panic OF 1907
The effect of all those cannot be full
- dPPittlol'h tN''Dl Dg Nioot llo
arc familiar with their effects upon
works such az ours They have been
demoralizing and discouraging, but
through all contingencies and difflcul-
ties our president in New York. upon
whose shoulders fell the task of de
vising ways and means Of providing
funds. also Mr.. George Could and the
bankers, Mr.. Blair. Mr.. Solomon and
Mr.. Read. have stood by us with un-
tagging interest and zeal No matter
what difficulty presented itself they
have not faltered but have gone stead
lily forward with faith In the outcome.
81 desire especially to say a word IN
behalf of the engineers. who have as
sisted me these years, many OF whom
have displayed great talent. Many OF
thom have frequently risked their
lives along the canyons OF the North
Fork of the Feather river and It's trib-
utaries from day TO day In making the
surveys and setting the points for the
guidance OF contractors and workmen.
They have thus shown a willingness
to give up all In behalf OF this enter
prise. They are our heroes
II must not fail TO mention also the
great contracting flrm. The Utah Con
struction company, which had the
contract for most OF the line. They
have done their work in the most
faithful manner and have been fair
and honest in their transactions with
us.
"As to myself. the work has been
one of pride and love; pride in the
work itself and pride of profession,
and love because / believed, and be-
lieve now more than ever. that 1t
would result in great benefit to this
glorious state of California and this
beautiful city of San Francisco, which
have always been near my heart since
came to know time 1t has seemed
to me during the darkest days that 1t
was something which would not only
benefit this stnte and city. but would
mark a step In advance OF civilization
and OF mankind. Feeling thus there
has never been moment when have
been quite discouraged, No matter |
how sericus the occasion might be, |
the next morning sun brought with II |
determination and energy for |
the problem
Whatever my future may be, |
shall always remember my friends
lere and this city and state as com
ng nearer TO my ideal OF a suitable
locality for home than any other
place in the world
Happy New Year and happy fu-
-ure TO you all
The construction OF the Western Pa
,ific was begun nearly four and one
lalf years ago. and was completed (