The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-04-08
new DULUTH
RAILWAY May
CONE TO RED
Booster Of Big Project
Would Open Great North
west to Zenith City

over 100 Duluth business and pro-
fesgional men accorded @. @. Hartley
| hearty applause when be proposed
/ that the city take steps toward the
| building OF a Duluth-oWued and Du-
luth managed railway into the Red
River valley, and other northwestern
districts.
Mr.. Hartley spoke at the commerc-
ial club ct meeting held under the
auspices Of the Square Deal for Du-
luth committee.
He urged the construction Of the
4 railway as the only solution to the
present railroad passenger and
| freight problems confronting the city
because of a discriminatory policy
pursued by the Great Northern and
Northern Pacific railways.
THE Red River valley Is one of the
most, II not the most, fertile, rich and
promising agricultural section in the
world" declared the speaker. by
| turning the vast resources and posi-
bilities OF this region 10 Duluth you
Will insure lending the city'a well
fare an impetus which viii play a big
part in developing Ii into q real me-
tropolis," he continued. The result
ant boom, he contended. would be
permanent in nature, and continued
prosperity would be insured.
Unlimited agricultural and dairy
shipments to Duluth will be greatly
augmented If this road is built" Mr..
Hartley argued.
History Of Efforts.
He opened his talk by outlining the
campaign Duluth, through the Square
Deal committee, has carried on to OBJ
tain better passenger service for this
city. He traced the history OF the
controversy from the time OF its in
ception to the day the Northern Pa
cific was ordered by the state to COM
ply with the demands OF the commit
tee. He pointed out the advantages
which will accrue to Duluth as a re-
suit OF the decision handed down by
the state railroad and warehouse
commission, then indicted the Great
Northern for its methods as con-
cerned with the Zenith city.
Charaeterizing the treatment Of
Duluth by the Great Northern as
shameful and "disgracefuT', Mr..
Hartley continued:
Because OF the great grain fields
which 10 penetrates the Great North
ern is OF especial inter [ to Duluth,
This territory is Of v. Importance
to the Head OF the Lanas. In the
service rendered the city by the
Great Northern Duluth is always dis
eliminated against. The service to
the Twin Cities IL as nearly perfect
as possible, but Duluth is made to
suffer. There is not even a preten-
sion OF giving the Zenith city fair
treatment.
"on the Pacific coast the ticket
agents refuse TO sell tickets 70 this
city Duluth passenger fares total but
~ per cent OF those collected In Sc.
Paul, but the freightage here far ex-
eeeds that handled at either OF the
Twin Cities"
Outlining a policy he thought
should BE pursued In dealing with the
Great Northern Mr.. Hartley said:
Policy Of RepFisai.
Take more money from the rail-
road than II IL taking from you. You
VIII notice a quick change of policy
on the part OF the road. We must
adopt q policy OF reprisaI-treat the
Great Northern as IL has treated US
Ihls RAN system penetTates a won
aerful agricultural territory but no
Dement'S result to Duluth because OF
this fact, It carries the products OF
a great inland empire. but We Du-
luthians gain nothing thereby. The
solution Of the problem rests entirely
with you. Continue TO give the rail-
way plenty OF freight and peace win
be its WatehWord. Pay them back
In their own coin and the road will
pay you tbs compliment Of complain
ing at your treatment--it will begin
70 sit up and take notice.
You people OF Duluth have IL in
your power to take the freight and
passenger business from the Great
Northern. You can build a railway
into tina Red River valley, and unIoct
the storehousas Of that great inland
empire. Such a road would also pass
through the timber lands and the iron
country, as well as through farming
ana industrlal territory other than
that OF the Red River valley"