The Whitefish pilot., 1912-11-21
THREE RAILROADS BATTLE
FOR MONTANA CONTROL
The Great Northern, Milwaukee and
500 Will Do Much Construction
Work in this State.

Three big railroad systems the
Hill lines, the St. Paul and the SEQ
arc battling fer supremacy in the
rapidly developing State cf Montana
and Twin City railroad circles are
anxiously awaiting the news from
the front, says the St.Paul Pioneer
Press.
The construction warfare report
IS verified by advices from the pros
pective battle-ground, according to
the travelling represen ntatives OF the
roads involved.
Gray Meets Pennington.
Rumors of a possible conflict in
road construction we're first rife
when President c. R. Gray and Inn
migration Agent E. C. Leedy of the
Great Northern, while inspecting by
automobile the right of way for the
new Hill extensions in Montana last
September. were met by President
Pennington Of the 500, also travel
ing by auto and making a detailed
investigation CT the country
St. Paul Road to Build.
The situation is further complica-
ted by a report from the West au-
tIhcrized by President Earring of the
st. Parl read, following his closely
guarded inspection trip in Montana
less than a month ago tha. even the
more extensive projects in railroad
building than these PLANNED by the
Great Nonthern- will be rushed as
soon as the spring season permits.
Every executive of the St. Paul road
has a copy Of the Great Northern
annual report. showing that the Hill
roads plan 1000 miles OF second
track in Montana next year.
Large Project Underway.
The largest project, fer which sub
contracts have already been award
ed, SO far announced by the Great
Northern is the new Lewistown line,
more than 500 miles in length in
the construction of which approx
ima.ely 100000 has been expended.
Further Montana extensions by the
Great Northern are the Moccasdn-
Lewistown division and the Vaughn
Gilman line. in which more than
100000 has been spent.
The construction report concern
ing the st. Paul road is substantial
ted by surveying parties, already in
the field between Great Falls and
Chcteau, to which poin. the Lewis
town-Great Falls extension. now
building. is being rushed. President
EARRING, it is said, has obtained an
for the Chcteau line
frcm the directors. Eventually the
line will be extended ncrth-wect to
the F.a.head. The Great Northern al
80 Is building to Choteuu.
To Compete With Hill.
The new lines will l'ring the St.
Paul into direc. competition with the
Great Northern and each will make
a strong bid for the states patron
age. Although the Montana country
is ccr:=ideHei by the Hill system as
its tercictry in point of railway SER
vice. ST. Paul officials say the possi-
bilities CT the regicn We're not rea-
lizel until the first invasion of their
road.
500 Plans Invasion.
No announcement Of the Soo's
plans fer Montana extension has
been made bL. report has i. thst
PRECEDENT Pennington favccs an i'm
mediate invasion CT the state. It is
probable this will he done by :he
extension of the Pla2a-Drake line.
tapping G!endive, Lewistcwn, Hcle-
nu and connecting with the Canadian
Pacific extension at Spokane, Wash.
The project includes the building of
j 900 miles of new track.
5000 Miles contemplated.
The construction plans of the
Great Northern and the St. Paul
alone include mere than 1900 miles
OF new lines in Montana. Should the
500 report mator!alize, the rua., of
railroad building in the State will
rover 1000 miles.
- PRAIRIE FIRE.
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