Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-26
CANADIAN RAILWAY
WILL AID farmers
New Line to Hudson Bay De-
signed as Outlet for
Grain Crops.

Special Dispatch to The star.
MONTREAL, August 26.-The most
important railroad gamble Of the day a
rapidly approaching its climax of sue.
cess or failure. Within q few months.
with the opening of the new line to
Hudson Bay, the people of Canada will
know whether they have won or lost
upon the possibility Of commercial
transportation through the Arctic Circle
Already the Sill miles OF steel, which
leaves the tranScontinental line of the
Canadian National Railway at Male
vile, Saskatchewan, have reached Fort
Churchill, the Hudson Bay terminus.
During the present Summer, rock bal
lasting has been undertaken along the
last $50 miles Of the route. which now
is ready to handle all classes of freight
or grain traffic.
Construction Work.
Fort Churchill itself has become a
thriving town Of several hundred. Work
is being rushed on a 1900, 000-bushel
grain elevator, for use as soon as traffic
commences. Also under construction
are dock facilities. bridges, railway
yards and houses and a plant to pro-
vide water supply. All of this activity
is proceeding without the accompani-
ment of real estate boom, because of
the government foresight in expropriat-
ing for the crown all available townsite
property. This is administered under
Manitoba government auspices.
In all. the government has spent
about $45,000,000 on the project. The
largest item has been construction of
the railroad itself, which has cost about
$31 100000 The terminal works at
Fort Churchill have cost about $8,000,-
900. Surveys absorbed about 81 500 900
and some 100000 was spent upon
Port Nelson, q projected terminus,
which later was abandoned in favor OF
Fort Churchill.
This expenditure could better be I'M
derStood If the enterprise were not per-
haps the most bitterly debated issue
in Canadian politics. There never has
been unanimity in favor OF the feasi-
bility of Hudson Bay as grain ship
ment route. In fact, through the early
stages Of the venture, the weight OF ex-
pert testimony seemed to lie against
1t and only the determination OF the
farmers of the three prairie provinces
mature demise.
Prospects Of Road.
Why has the route been persisted
in, often against the advice of engi-
neering and transportation experts?
Politically because the government had
to command western following. This
pressure was responsible for commence
ment of the line in 1910 by conserva-
tive government and for its practical
completion today. Against it has been
urged the claim that the route would
be open for only few weeks each year,
that the road would be so costly that
grain trafac could not pay overhead
| charges.
Recent investigations give the road
somewhat brighter prospects. 1t is now
believed that Hudson Straits can be
navigated for at least four and possibly
five months of each year. And here
seems to be some prospect of return
| freight for the cars travelling south
ward. Fort Churchill is believed to EOS
Sess decided possibilities as a port OF
| entry for goods from Britain designed
| for Western Canada.
Fundamentally the routes attraction
is the saving In distance 1t promises
the western grain shipper. The route
cuts of 297 miles from the present rail
haul and 1,125 miles from the present
water haul, the comparison being based
upon shipments from Port Arthur and
| Fort William. In addition the shipper
| is saved the cost of trans-shipment
! from the Great Lakes to ocean steamers.
Early Spring of next year Is expected
| 20 see the railway In full operation with
ocean terminal facilities in readiness to
handle next years grain crop.
Copyright. 1sso.l