Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1925-04-30

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Achievements OF John y. Stevens.
famous engineer. formerly OF 81. Paul
who assisted In the building OF the
Panama Canal. were portrayed at
New York. March isrd. at the Amsri-
can Engineering Foundation csremo-
mics marking the presentation 70 Mr..
Stevens OF the John Fritx Gold Medal,
awarded by q special board represent
ing the four great engineering socis-
ties OF America. the American Society
OF Civtl Engineers, American Institute
Of Mining and Metallurgicai Engi-
neers. American Society OF Mechani-
cal Engineers and American Institute
OF Electrical Engineers. President
Ralph Budd Of the Great Northern
Railway delivered one OF the princi-
pal addresses on this occasion. Mr..
Budd was chief engineer Of the pana-
ma railway under Mr.. Stevens.
The Frits award 10 conferred for
outstanding accomplishments In engi-
neering.
President Budd told Of Mr.. Stevens
prominence In railroad construction
work In the West during the period
OF its greatest building activity be-
tween the years 1878 and 1888. No
table among his achievements was the
discovery Of Marias Pass In the
Rockies Of Northwestern Montana.
where he was sent by James J. Hill
In 1889 TO ind. n possible. Z shorter
route across the Rockies for the Great
Northern Railway than had been dis
covered by any other railroad or Gov
eminent surveys. n seemed up 10
that time that the line would have 10
20 about 90 far south a. Helena or
Butte 10 cross the mountains. Mr..
stevsus' discovery az Marias Pass IN
ts winter Of 1883 obvistsd this nscss-
sity and gave to the Great Nora
Railway . lower pass across Ia
Rockies than that OF any other rail-
road In the United States. This was
q notable engineering achievement.
In speaking Of Mr.. stevens discov-
cry OF Marias Pass. Mr.. Budd said.
"Raiiroad reconnaissance on the scale
then undertaken In major mountain
ranges and far from the bases Of opsr-
alton called for more courage, ply
steal strength. and perseverance, than
any other work which an engineer
was required to perform. With
these must be combined thorough
familiarity with frontier and Indian
life, technical skill and training In
determining what gradients and
alignment the country Afforded. and
sound judgment as 10 the cost OF
building, together with a sense OF To-
cation and direction which amounted
almost 70 instinct. The necessities OF
the times brought forth a numerous
group OF engineers who. 10 an extra
ordinary degree. possessed all OF these
attainments. In this remarkable COM
pany. John r. Stevens was an out
standing figure. We do not have any
details OF the hardshlps OF this re-
connaissancs. Hardships were ac-
cepted as a matter OF course and al
most never mentioned. We DO know
that his investigation carried him well
into the winter and that HIS persis-
tent search enabled him TO report
that. on December II. 1889. he had To-
Gated and surmountcd Marias Pass.
and that Il was on the line OF the
direct route westward. The thorough
ness with which he had covered the
country enabled him TO say that II
was the lowest and bes. pass across
the Rockies in the northern United
States. The actual location OF the
Great Northern through II at an alti-
tude OF 5.211 feet. on per cent
grade westbound and is per cent
eastbound fully confirmed his report"
The Great Northern Railway has
selected site along the right OF way
at Marias Pass In the heart OF the
Rockies Of Glacier National Park on
which II viii erect g monument TO
Mr.. Stevens In commemorative OF the
contribution his engineering genius
has made to the progress Of the Great
Northwest
Following this. Mr.. Stevens located
Stevens Pass In the Cascades for the
Great Northern In 1890. Referring to
this achievement. Mr. Budd said, II
believe II was the last piece Of actual
field work he did. and II 10. indeed.
the work Of Q master. Mr.. Stevens
remained In the Cascades until track
laying was completed through TO the
Coast. January 5. 1898. Q little more
than three years after the discovery
OF Marfss Pass. He continued with
the Great Northern until 1908, the
last eight years a. Chief Engineer Of
the system. and two years ~ General
Manager"
Other outstanding accomplishment
Of Mr.. Stevens IN the engineering
world were the organizing. planning
and direction Of the construction OF
the Panama Canal from 1905 to 1907.
the construction of the Seattle. Port.
land 4 SPOKANE Railway and several
other western lines OF the ''Hill sys-
tenn" In Oregon and Washington. and
the rehabilitation and operation OF
the crippled railways OF Russia 1up
fns lha vnara 1917 An Iora