The Washington herald., 1911-02-01

LOvett, president OF the Union Pac1hc
and Southern Pacific railroads, an
nounced to-day that the executive COM
mittees of those companies had voted
to expend $75.0OO.OoO in double tracking
the Hartman system from the Missouri
River to the Pacific Ocean, The ex-
penditure of this sum in these improve
ments will extend through the next five
years.
First of all, the double tracking Of the
line from the Missouri River to San
Francisco will be completed. The Ore
Gon Short Line will also be equipped
with double track from it's junction with
the Union Pacific's main line at Granger
Wyo.. to Hunting, Oreg., as will the
line along the Columbia River, in Ore
gon. which runs to Portland.
1t is the intention of the directors.
further, to execute plans for extensions
and new tributary lines which will cause
heavy expenditures and which will take
six years In the statement issued to-
day. Judge Lovett expressed nothing but
the most pronounced optimism in regard
to the possibilities of greater develop
ment in the territories served by the
Hartman system
Largest in Four Years.
This extensive constructive work will
be the largest undertaken by any rail-
road since the panic Of 1907. Its excep-
tional character is emphasized by the
small amount Of work undertaken by
railroads since they began their campaign
for higher freight rates, early in 1909.
1t has been the general understanding
that they would set aside their plans for
immediate improvements and develop
ments untfl a final decision in the rate
controversy should inform them accurate
ly of the policy of the government
toward their charges. This announce
ment Of the Union Pacific that it would
push its work of providing new equip
ment and developing new territories to
feed its main lines is made at a time
when the rate question Is entirely in the
air.
The fact that no decision has as yet
been handed down in the governments
suit to dissolve the Union Pacific-South-
ern Pacific system is significant. That
the rate question the governments suit,
the demands of labor for higher wages.
threats of hostile legislation. and the
general timidity of investors who might
under more favorable conditions buy rail-
road securities freely are taken thorough
ly into account by the Union Pacific
management. is evidenced by Judge Low
satisfactory in many respects. The unfa-
vorable aspect OF the present situation.
however. is taken to be but temporary.
Must Keep Up Equipment.
The policy of the Hartman system as
announced in the statement OF President
Lovett is that IL the Union Pacific delays
improvements until every difficulty is
safely out of the way, it will eventually
find its lines falling behind in efficiency
instead of retaining their ability to con-
tribute to the development of the new
country which they serve. The policy of
keeping up to the need of the times will
be clung to in spite of all temporary
disturbances
That the present unfavorble condition
has become a permanent public policy of
hostility toward the railroads is a state of
affairs which Judge Lovett evidently does
not contemplate among the probabilities
Of future American history Opposition
OF SO threatening a nature is not antic-
pated by the Union Pacific, which-pro
poses to accomplish as soon as possible
the work which demands accomplish
ment because ii has still the resources
necessary for such work.
Compatible with President Lovett'S an
nouncement. and also pertinent to the
contention that there is still IN this coun
try a lively competitive interest in rail-
road building was a dispatch from Min
neapolis in which President Elliott, Of
the Northern Pacific. confirmed the re-
port that the Spokane, Portland and Seat
tie road will soon increase it's capital
from 81, 900. 600 to s62, 800 600. The purpose
Of this increase. says Mr.. Elliott. is to
provide for new construction in Oregon
and to facilitate future expansion of the
Hill system in that part of its territory.
The Spokane. Portland and Seattle is
commonly known as the North Bank di-
vision of the Hill roads. running as it
does also along the North Bank Of the
Columbia River and competing with the
Hartman line just opposite on the
South Bank. At the time of the construc-
ton of this line there was a spectacular
fight between the two great railroad pow
ers Of the West for mastery OF that ter
ritory.