Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1914-11-19
NORTHERN PACIFIC
| BUYS GILMORE &
ATTSBURC RY.
w1rL PROBABLY BE FOLLOWED
nv EXTENSIONS TO CONNECT
WITH NORTH LINES.
MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY
Purchase Followed With Keen Interest
As it May Mean Branch Between
Salmon City and Lewiston

After several years of speculation the
Pittsburg & Gilmore railroad, the line
which was surveyed from Dillen, Mont,
to Lewiston and actually constructed
and placed in operation to Salmon City, |
Idaho, has been determined, announce
ment OF controlling interest Of that line
by the N. P. having been made by |
President Hannaford of the Northern |
Pacific in a st. Paul dispatch this |
week. In connection with the assump- |
lion of control by the N. p, the dis
patch says:
st. Paul, Mimi, Nov. 14.-The pur-
chase of the Gilmore & Pittsburg rail
road in Montana and Idaho, which will
give the Northern Pacific railway the
shortest line from the Twin Cities to
the Pacific coast, was announced to-
day by President Hannaford. The
road was built short time ago at a
cost of more than $15,OOO,000, The
Northern Pacific will not own the en-
tire capital stock, but enough to con-
troll it. H.
"To prevent this road from passing
into other hands the Northern Pacific
has obtained control,'' said Mr.. Hanna
ford. "While it will be managed as an
Independent company its policy will be
fixed by the Northern Pacific. No ex
tensions are contemplated
The road runs between Armstead,
Mont, on the Oregon Short Line, and
Salmon. Idaho. With branch line the
mileage is about 12O miles. w. s.
Bickler. auditor Of the road, with head
quarters at Armstead, has been ap-
pointed general manager.
In commenting upon the latest move
Of the N. P. the Tribune, of Lewiston,
reviews the matter in the following
logical manner:
In view of all conditions surround
ing the history of the Gilmore &
Pittsburg, it would seem that the Han
naford statement does not exactly rep
resent the case and it would have been
FS~sspo ittAo ClcdIcT lOI AlAl W
have stated that the recent deal made
assured an ownership that the N. r.
mas exercised from the outset of the
enterprise. In support Of this view it
can be explained that the Gilmore &
Plttsburg road occupies territory en-
urely within the field served by the
Oregon Short Line interests and its
acquisition by the latter road could
not have been considered in any sense
an invasion of Northern Pacific terri.
tory. The line connects now with the
oregon Short Line at Armstead and is
therefore feeder to that system
Further, the tonnage of the Gilmore
fittsburg is largely from the Gil
more mines, which are handled, after
Armstead is reached, over the Short
Line into Salt Lake. It would seem
therefore, that the announcement Of
northern Pacific ownership of the
ROAD has simply been forced to public
attention though some move mad,
py the Oregon Short Line to acquir,
.ne road as q safeguard against I
ae1inlte plan Of invasion of Short Linz
'erritory by the Northern Pacific
winch had it's inception when the Gil
more Pittsburg was first organized
II Is likely, if this viewpoint is a cor
rect one, that the Short Line had re
Gently seen some opportunity consid
eied favorable for securing the line
"lth the result that the Northern Pa
enc was forced to disclose its hand.
The situation becomes of additions
interest to the Idaho people for tn
reason that as Northern Pacifi
property the Gilmore & Pittsbur
must logically be further developed
at present it is but feeder of tn
snort Line and subject to competitio
'ne later building into the territor
'ne hne serves. To give the line ind,
pendence, therefore, it will be nece
iy 10 build to a connection with tn
Northern Pacific and the nearest poir
Twin Bridges, Mont, on the Whit.
Aa'i branch, which leaves the mai