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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1907)
20 THE MORNING OREGONIAN, TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1907. GREATEST YEAR FOR RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION ' . 1 -- - ., g , Building in Territory Tributary to Portland During 1906 Breaks All Records City Now Strategic Point in Struggle of Giants THERE has been more railroad build ing m the territory tributary to Port land during tlTe year Just closed than In any previous 12 months In the city's history. Into almost every section of the Columbia Valley basin, steel high ways are being made, bringing an im mense empire into closer business re- ' lations with Portland. James J. Hill and E. H. Harrlman are struggling for the control of the magnificent territory that Is pouring- Its riches Into this city, by reason of Portland's advantageous location. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Is pushing west to tap the same country, while persistent rumors are that the Goulds also are bringing their transcontinental system to a con nection with this city. The Chicago & Northwestern is said to be planning the extension of its main line west from Landers, Wyo., to the cities of the Pacific Northwest Never has there been such an era of activity. In railroad building. Points of vantage are being eagerly seized by railway magnates, and engineers are in the field to map out new lines leading down to the Rose City. Portland's future greatness as a rail road center can be conceived, with four great transcontinental systems center ing here. The trafflo of the Pacific Northwest has so increased that It Is the prize now most sought by the Western railroads. To secure the huge lumber tonnage was the avowed pur pose of James J. Hill In projecting the Portland & Seattle down the north bank of the Columbia to Portland, and the other railroads seek their share of this great business. The Harrlman system has an ad vantage in Oregon because of its occu pation of the 'Willamette Valley and the natural route to Portland from the Inland Empire along the south bank of the Columbia. Feeders have been constantly pushed out from the Harrl man trunk lines In this state until they penetrate many of the rich districts of the interior. Many additional branches are being planned by Harrlman to bring out the products of sections of the state where formerly freight of all kinds was hauled with wagons. A feeder from Pendleton to Pilot Rock will soon be commenced. A branch road into Eagle Valley from Baker City is another live project that has lately been announced. Plans have been made to build up the John Day River from a point on the O. R. & N. at the mouth of the river to the mouth of Milk Creek, a distance of 70 miles. A similar line lias been Incorporated to' build up the Deschutes River from a point on the main line of the O. R. & N. at the mouth of the river to the new town of Bend. A line to tap the Wallowa country is being built by the O. IX. & N. from Elgin northeast up the Grand Ronde River to its junoton with the Wallowa, and thence southeast to Joseph, a total of 64 miles. Part of this road has been completed. In addition to the St. Johns Troutdale cutoff, whereby an easy grade will be secured for freight from Portland to Troutdale, $620,000 is being spent by the O. R. & N. In the change of the main line between Troutdale and Bonneville. Curves are being eliminated and grades reduced. The Southern Pacific has projected many new roads In the middle and NORTHERN PACIFIC'S MODEL TRAINS SplendidPassenger Equipment Aids in Turn ing TicJU of Tourist Travel to This Coast PERHAPS no transcontinental railway system has done more to turn the tide of tourist travel to the Pacific Coast In carrying out the "See America First" movement than the Northern Pacific. Extensive advertising campaigns have been carried on that took Infinite genius, pains and money. Fortunes have been pent In building trains that are the equal of the best anywhere and months of time have been taken in telling the people about the attractions of the service. It really appears as If an impression has been made upon the great annual heglra to Europe and that a reflex flow across the continent to the shores of the Paclfio has set in. Not only the increas ing number of Winter tourists Indicates this, but the growing inclination to make this Coast the meeting place for conven tions and gatherings of all kinds seems to establish this fact During the past few years great ad vances have been made by all lines in comfort, safety and speed of travel. No Pacific Coast road has accomplished more success In this line than the Northern Pacific. Today Its trains are known in Portland as the only electrio lighted limit ed trains to the East. Other modern con veniences have been added with the in tention of making the trip across the con tinent as easy - for the traveler as a day pent at his own flresld. Success has attended these efforts to a marked degree. The best efforts of car-designers, the most careful work of builders and decorators has been called to the assistance of the heads of the Hill system. The North Coast Limited is a triumph in modern rail transportation. Originally Intended to be operated dur ing the Summer months only, the crack Northern Pacific train has come to be an all-the-year necessity. Its popularity has been widespread and the kind things said about the accommodations by travelers would fill many a book. Monster passenger locomotives, with drivers standing higher than a man's head, pull these rolling palaces. Men trained to exact the last bit of speed from these tireless, willing steeds stand In the cab, trained for emergencies as they are to safe and fast running. The engines are perfection In motive power. Future years may supplant them with others even more swift and reliable, but the present builders of locomotives can stipply nothing that will outrun the en gines which pull the North Coast Limited. The limited service eastward to St. Paul from Portland and the cities of the Northwest requires the equipment of ten complete trains ..with sufficient motive power to handle each over the eight di visions of Its Journey. Each of the ten trains is the exact counterpart of the others. All cars are of uniform design and finish. Each makes for luxurious, travel and maximum safety. The Interior finish of the train Is of extremely beautiful character. Rich San J ago mahogany Is extensively used with lighter and inlaid woods. The color scheme Is worked out in harmonious green and gold shades. Ornate wood and brass are avoided, and the result Is a western part of the state. Perhaps the most Important one of these proj ects is the Oregon Eastern, the Cen tral Oregon line from Natron to Klam ath Falls. The road will cross the Cascades, following the middle fork of the Willamette River, and continuing to the Klamath Lakes, a distance of 152 miles. It is supposed the main line of the Southern Fticlflc between Port land .and San Francisco will In time adopt this route, thus avoiding the heavy grades of the Siskiyou Moun tains. An extension 'across the central part of the state to Ontario fs a part of the project. The contract for build ing this road from Natron south will soon be let. A line now being built by the Southern Pacific to the Coos Bay country from Drain has occupied much attention. This road will cost $3,200,000, and the first section of 20 miles has been let to C. E. Loss of San Francisco, who is progress ing well with the work. Eventually this road will form a link in a coast line from Coos Bay to San Francisco. The distance to Coos Bay from Drain is 82 miles. The surveys follow the Umpqua Valley and thence south to Coos Bay. This road is being built under a charter to the Oregon Western. The Union Pacific has projected a line to Seattle and Tacoma from Portland dur ing the past year and rights of way are now being closed up preparatory to let ting contracts for construction. Surveys and final locations are being made. The road will be built under the name of the Oregon & Washington. The tentative route from Portland is across the peninsula northeast of Port land to the new Portland & Seattle bridge, down the north side of the Columbia to Kelso and thence north, roughly parallel ing the Northern Pacific's line to the Fuget Sound cities. Terminals have been secured at enormous cost in both Se attle and Tacoma. The most notable achievement for Portland during the year in railroad building is the progress made on the Portland & Seattle Railway, th Joint Northern Pacific and Great Northern line from Spokane to Portland.. The roadbed will soon be ready for the laying of steel at the eastern end. The surveyed distance from Kenne wlck Is 250 miles, and the new road unquestionably will be one of the best and most modern In the Pacific North west. The estimated cost of the completed main line Is $10,000,030. Big, double track bridges across the Columbia and Willamette Rivers to bring the line into Portland from Vancouver will cost $3,000,000 more. There will be nine tunnels in the road, the longest of which will be at Cape Horn, where workmen are driving a hole through the BOlid rock 2000 feet in length. The road will have a maximum grade of .3 of 1 per cent and a maximum curva ture of 3 degrees. To build the line will require 36,500 tons of steel rails. The line is planned for completion by the end of the present year. The Portland & Seattle hag had a hard fight to reach Portland and carry out the original plans mapped out by James J. Hill, who has taken a per sonal Interest in the road. The proj ect was bitterly fought all along the north bank of the Columbia by the Wallula Pacific, a Harrlman road, and the fight is still being waged. At Maegley Junction, too, on the Penin sula, legal warfare against the new road -was .resorted to by the Harrlman Interests, but at that point rights have been secured which leave the Hill road free to cross O. R. & N. tracks. A big bridge is being built across quiet elegance that Is singularly attrac tive. I Jar and vibration Is reduced to a mini mum on account of the scientific con struction of the trains and their heavy weight. Each train weighs 418 tons with out the engine. North Coast Limited coaches weigh 44 tons empty. Dlnlng cars weigh -66 tons and the Pullman sleepers weigh 60 tons each. The weight thus secured adds greatly to the security of travel. The lessened Jar reduces the danger of car sickness for those afflicted with that unpleasant Illness. The locomotives coupled ahead of the North Coast Limited trains weigh 1S0H tons and are operated under a working boiler pressure of 200 pounds. The length of the tender and engine is 61 feet. Eleo trlc headlights light the way for the en gineer and show him the track for half a mile ahead. The Pullman tourist cars on the train are the longest similar cars In use and contain 18 sections. These cars, display many new ideas in construction and con venience. The upholstery Is of leather, neat, clean and sanitary. The Interior finish Is of mahogany. Each car has a range, where. If the passenger wishes, he may prepare his own meals. Through dining-cars of unusually at tractive design add greatly to the con venience of the transcontinental Journey. Thousands have commented favorably upon the dining-car service on the North Coast Limited and the satisfaction felt by passengers has been earned by care ful, intelligent study of the requirements of the service. On this line the same dining-car remains with the train from Portland to St. Paul or from St Paul to Portland, thus Insuring the passengers the same regularity of the service of meals as can be secured in the home or at any first-class hotel. Other lines- pick up and drop the. dining-cars when meals are finished. If the train is delayed,' which often happens, the unlucky passen ger must wait for food until the station is reached at which the dining-car has been waiting. The superiority of the Northern Pacific service can be readily seen and Is fully appreciated by "experi enced travelers. Each car carries an ex perienced chef, who gives his entire at tention to the preparation of the meals. He superintends a staff of assistants who are chosen for their skill and efficiency. The cars themselves are newand the design is singularly attractive. High side windows light the interior, in which covers are laid for 30 persons at one time. Beams of polished woodwork on the cell ing give an appearance which suggests the decorative scheme often followed in the old Inns of England. Electric lights hang in hand-made lanterns of iron and art glass. At either end of the cars stand handsome buffets. The kitchen occupies an inclosed space at one end of the cars, while at the opposite end a similar space Is utilized for lrnen lockers and other requirements. The cars are 80 feet long ami have a double lighting system, elec tricity and acetylene gas both being avail able. The spacious observation end at the rear of the" North Coast Limited is a feature that appeals to travelers. The observation parlor is roomy and opens on a broad, semi-inclosed platform, afford ing a delicious lounging-room in which to vead or enjoy the scenery. Movable upholstered wicker chairs srj convenient ly placed and upon a table lose at hand are to be found the latest newspapers and magazines. The observation plat the Columbia River at Vancouver and foundations are being laid la' the bed of the Willamette opposite St. Johns for the Willamette bridge. The Co lumbia' bridge is well along. The piers are nearly in and workmen will soon be placing steel on them. Both structures will be modern in every way and will be anchored to bedrock under the two rivers. The piers are being faced with granite blocks brought from Index, Wash. Both bridges are being built tor the Port land & Seattle. The Wallula Pacific, or Columbia Valley, has been active during- the past year and has spent a large amount of money in construction of grade along the north bank of the Co lumbia, the object being to parallel tho Portland & Seattle. The road was projected from a point opposite Wal lula westward along the river to Van couver and thence to Portland. Dur ing thexpast year extensions along the lower Columbia to Kelso have been announced. The Ilwaco Railway & Navigation Company, a Harrlman line between Ilwaco and Nahcotta, has announced additional miloage during the year reaching to Knappton, a distance of 14 miles, which will admit of river steamers of all kinds connecting at Knappton with the railway. Ulti-' mately this road will extend to Kelso, where it will connect with the Oregon & Washington, allowing an all-rail Journey from Portland to the Southern Washington beaches. The Hammond roads have come into prominence during the past year be cause of the very large extensions mapped out for thorn. New mileage announced by A. B... Hammond while in Portland during the year reach a large total. About 300 miles of - new construction is planned for the next few years, costing in the neighborhood, of $10,000,000. The most important extension of the Hammond lines is a' road across Cen tral Oregon from the present terminus of the Corvallis & Eastern at Idanha to Snake River, giving a direct line from Yaqulna Bay to the Idaho line. Such a road cannot, of course, be built In a year and from three to five years are allowed for construction. More immediate work by the Hammond lines will be extension of the Astoria & Columbia River Railroad from its present terminus at Seaside to Tillamook and on to Newport, where it will meet the C. & E., which will be built along Yaqulna Bay from Yaqulna to Newport Surveys for this work are being made and branches are announced from the main line of thie extension at the mouth of the Nehalem River up both branches of that stream. This new railway building will bring transportation to a country that is very rich in natural resources, but which has hitherto been isolated. The rich Coast valleys, as well adapted to dairying as the Netherlands, have been shut off from the outside world by high mountain ranges and the only communication with the Coast cities has been by an occasion al steamer. With the advent of rail roads,' the Coast country will take on new life and will doubtless become the banner dairying district of the entire West. Tillamook, after having been isolated since the first settlements were made there, is to have two railroads instead of one, for the Pacific Railway & Navigation Company, headed by E3. B. Lytle, is build ing a road into the Tillamook and Neha lem districts from Hillsboro, where .a connection is had with the Southern Pa cific. This line is now well along and within t-he present year will doubtless have reached Tillamook. form will seat ten persons comfortably, Few private cars have more luxurious appointments. A unique feature of the train Is c clothes pressing service, which Is avail able to remove the marks of travel. A carefully selected library is also at the command of the traveler. The vol umes cover a wide range and each ob servation-car carries about 130 books. The pasenger will find it possible to suit his individual taste by inspecting a catalogue in the possession of the porter of the car. The North Coast Limited trains are brilliantly illuminated with hundreds of electric incandescent globes. From th brilliant headlight that picks up the smallest pebble on the track ahead to the tall light on the rear of the observation car, which shows the unique trademark of the Northern ' Pacific, the same light ing power is used. Each sleeping-car section has two reading lights, exttngulsh able at will. In addition to the main ERA OF INTERURBAN RAILROADS Construction of Electric Lines Will Link Portland and Cities of Willamette Valley I NTERURBAN electrio railway de I velopment Is Just in its begin nings In pregon, but if all the lines now projected are built, Port land will soon become the center of a system giving access to the city from a large part of the surrounding country. During the past year a number of lines have been projected, and for some of these, franchises over the city's streets already have been granted. The only line of this character actually under construc tion is one connecting Portland with the towns of the east side of the Willamette Valley, having its southern terminus at Salem. The Portland-Salem line Is backed by a syndicate of Eastern capitalists, head ed by Moffatt & White, the New York bankers, operating through a corpora tion known as the Oregon Electric Rail ways Company. The work of building the line is in charge of W. S. Barstow & Co., of New York, contracting engineers. Unlike the greater portion of railroad construction in the West the work is not being done upon the contract sys tem, but upon the basis of actual ex penditure, to which is added a fixed amount for the services of the engineer ing company. Although paralleling the Southern Pa cific, in a general way, for the entire dis tance, the new line follows a new route and will develop territory at present without direct railroad connection. The northern half of the line will be on the west side of the Willamette, -and the southern half upon the east. The entire road will pass through a country of great fertility, which gives promise of develop ing large freight and passenger traffic. The cost of the line will be about $2,000,000. It will be 49 miles In length. Easy grades have been secured for the entire distance, which will permit of fast running time. The company plans to operate Its passenger cars on regular schedule between Portland and Salem In one and -one-half hours. An important feature of the road Is to be the bridge across the Willamette at Wilsonville. This bridge will cost $150,000 and will be 800 feet in length, with 2300 feet of -trestle approaches. The struc ture will be 105 feet above low water in the Willamette, thus obviating the neces sity for a draw. The road Is now completed from Salem to Lake Lablsh, a distance of eight miles. Cars are being operated over the line be lighting system, which gives Illumination to the car. Eleotrlc power Is furnished by a dynamo in charge of an expert elec trician. One of the factors that contribute no little to the pleasure of a journey over the Northern Paclfio tracks, and one which the passenger never gives a thought, la the heavy expenditure by the road to perfect its roadbed and remove curves and grades. The rails lie smooth as a dancing floor through mountain gorges and across high hills. Fortunes are spent annually in maintaining the excellence of the roadbed so that travelers may ride smoothly. Skilled men built the road and others watch it night and day to see that no harm comes to the passenger. Main lines are laid with the heaviest steel rail and the track Is carefully ballasted with crushed rock, decomposed granite and cinders. Much of this material was hauled long distances to build a smooth and safe line. Steel and concrete bridges and earth ASSESSOR'S FIGURES SHOW INCREASE. ' If- the evidence furnished by act ual 'real estate transactions were lacking, th assessed valuation of ' Multnomah County from year to year wonld be proof sufficient of the re markably rapid advance in value of local property. In explanation of the appended table, It should be stated that the 1005 assessment was the first based upon full valuation, those preceding being made on a 40 per cent basis. Taking this Into consid eration, it Is nevertheless surprising - that the figures for the past year show an Increase of more than 400 per cent over those of five years ago. The advance of more than $35,000,000 In 1006, as compared with 1005, shows actual increase of value. There is also Included this year the as sessment of new buildings and the added personal, which was previ- -ously exempt to the extent of $300 for each person, although the latter factor is comparatively small. The assessment of the county for five years follows! 1902 t t 44.14S.0U0 1908 51,038,000- 1904 56,429,000 1905 143,1160,000 1906 180,000,000 fills have been built at enormous cost all in order to add to the speed and safety of travel. These improvements contribute to freedom from oscillation and to com fort. " Barber-shops are found for the conveni ence of passengers on the North Coast Limited trains. The train is a through and not a local one and tiresome stops are eliminated. Only the most important stations are favored with the pausing of the Limited. There is no change of cars between St. Paul and Portland and this service is particularly favorable for ladies travel ing alone or with children. Half way across the continent without a change of cars is a feature of modern travel that appeals to everyone who makes the trip. No smoking is permitted In the observa tion-car, but smoking compartments are set aside for those who care to smoke BANK CLEARANCES FOB FIVE TEARS. 1902 , $154,820,103.09 1908 17S598.6SiZ.5S 1904 189.051 ,469.92 1905 .. 228,402,713.09 1908. 286,662,595.46 reeembr estimated. or play cards. There is a cozy corner in the observation car for those who care to write en route and a buffet well stocked with a wide variety of goods. Is at tho command of the thirs ty. ' J The standard equipment of the west bound North Coast Limited trains in eludes two Pullman standard sleepers during the Summer season and one during the Winter season. These cars are up to the minute in design, dec oration and arrangement and are un surpassed on any railway for beauty, convenience and luxury. The cars are of 14 sections with drawing room. In one end is a roomy smoking compart ment and a lavatory with a broad di van. In the other an attractive dress ing room for women In which many little conveniences, much appreciated by those who travel, will be found. Altogether the North Coast Limited Is doing much to popularize the Pa cific Coast It is bringing tourists by the hundreds to this favored section of the country and it Is inducing more ana more travel by presenting the ar guments of comfort and safety to tho traveler. tween Salem and Chemawa. A construc tion gang is now working In the vicinity of Tualatin, building to the river from the north, so that materials for the bridge may be shipped in. .Construction is to' begin on the Portland end of the line during the present month. Delay has been caused In commencing the work at this end by purchases of real estate which the company has been making for Its right of way. There are now on the ground 4000 tons of steel rails. Orders have been placed for the remainder. 2000 tons, half of which wiil be shipped from the East this month and half next From this time on construction work will be rushed and the entire lino Is expected to be completed and in operation by next September. The Oregon Electric Railway Company is planning other extensions through the Willamette Valley. The route to Salem was selected for Its adaptability as main line, and from It feeders will be' HOLDING PERMITS FOR SEVEN YEARS. i Year. Number. Amount. 1900 393 $ 944,983 1901 745 1,529,143 1902 1,244 2,730,660 1903 1,628 4,281,056 1904 1,720 4,029,225 1905 ..2,317 4,178.945 1906 3,129 6,827,564 Including December (estimated.) built in various directions. It Is prob able that the main line later will be ex tended south to Albany, and the company Is also considering building a line Into Washington County. ' The United Railways Company has se cured various franchises In Portland dur ing the past year for connection with lines from the south and west The af fairs of this company have passed into the hands of C. E. Loss, who Is now endeavoring to finance the various proj ects. Among the important lines which this 'company has in view Is one from Portland to Forest Grove. In addition to these projects, several other companies are in the field, and among the enterprises in view is an elec tric railroad from Portland to Mount Hood, one of the grandest mountain peaks on the continent EASTERN CAPITALISTS SHOW Invest Millions in Purchase of Street Railways and Form Gigantic Merger Improvements A MONO the memorable tocai event of the year Just ended was the formation of a gigantic merger of the corporations controlling the street railways, electric light and power plants of Portland. This con solidation was the largest ever effect ed in the Paclfio Northwest and one of the largest ever made In the entire West. It represents a capitalization of approxi mately $30,000,000. Behind the enterprise are Eastern capitalists who believe they have in the Pacific Northwest, and es pecially In Portland, a field which Justi fies almost unlimited investment and who announce therefore that they will proceed on the policy of making every extension necessitated by the develop ment of the territory within which they operate. The merged concerns are incorporated under the name of the Portland Railway, Light & Power Company. In the con solidation were embraced the Portland Railway Company, the Oregon Water Power & Railway Company and the Port land General Electric Company. In addi tion to these, the company has gone out side of Portland and now controls light power or water services in Vancouver, Salem, Silverton, Woodburn, Mount Angel and Oregon City, together with the locks at Oregon City. The chief backers of the Portland Rail way, Light & Power Company are E. W. Clarke & Co., of Philadelphia; the Sellg- mans and Charles M. Pratt & Co., of New York. The officers are H. W. Goode, president; F. I. Fuller and H. L. Clark, vice-presidents; S. G.' Reed, treasurer, and C. N. Hugglns. secretary. Great progress in the way of extensions and additions to the equipment has been made in all departments of the merged corporations during the past year. Large sums of money have been expended in developing the railway and power service of Portland, not alone to meet present needs, but also to furnish the greater facilities which will be required In the future. Yet in spite of the enlargement of the system during the past year. It is probable that a still larger amount of money will be spent by the company during 1907. When the Lewis and Clark Exposition was in progress Portland's street railway service was favorably commented upon by thousands of the visitors from other states. It is the claim of the owners that there is nowhere to be found a sys tem that Is more modern or- of higher standing, . and this assertion is borne out by a comparison with other cities. There Is every reason to believe that the rapid expansion of Portland's residence district Is due In part to the efficient car service which has extended Its lines to every suburb, placing them in easy communi cation with the business district Portland has more than 200 miles of electric railway within Its boundaries or Immediately tributary to it. Of this trackage 114 miles are Included in the lines of the Portland Railway Company and 90 miles in the lines of the Oregon Water Power & Railway Company. The rolling stock of the Portland Railway Company Includes 800 passenger- cars, HARRIMAN LINES UPBUILDING STATE Extensions Planned for Coming Year to Develop Rich Sections of Oregon Achievements in 1906 CROSSING Oregon with two main trunk lines, one from north to south and the. other from east ' to west, carrying the commerce of the state to the markets of the East and California and pouring tho wealth of the most remote sections into the lap of Portland, the Harrlman lines have been the greatest aids to the state in giving transcontinental and Interior transportation. From Portland on the north to Ashland on the south "the Southern Pacific Company has opened a steel highway to commerce, while from Huntington on the east to Port land on the west, the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company, offers rail transportation through mountains and across plains, over deserts and through fertile valleys, opening up ever more territory to the settler. Great as have been the achievements of the allied Harriman lines in this state, even greater plans have been mapped out for the future. Much of the promise of the coming year is found In the announcements of the managers of the Oregon branches of the. Harriman system of further ex tensions and far-reaching Improve ments. These will not be confined to any one section of the state. Lonesome plains now given over to the coyoto and the Jackrabblt, where only sagebrush and bunchgrass grow, will, at no distant day, hear the whistle of the locomotive and the clanging of the engine bell as more and more of the present waste land of the state is won over to civ ilization. Irrigation, coupled' with the laying of steel raits, means wonders to this state. No other railroad is in such a favorable position to. do much for Oregon as the Harriman system, with Its hundreds upon hundreds of miles of tracks already penetrating almost every part of the Beaver state. The policy of the system is to push on into the regions now being made productive by Irrigation, and within a few years the stato will be literally gridlroned with the shining parallel bars of steel. Insurance Business Done. Durng the past year an immense business has been handled by the Har rlman lines in this state. Figures com piled during the first ten months of the year show that general freight traffic has increased 60 per cent over last year, while the lumber tonnage Is 76 per cent greater than during the corresponding months of 1905. This refers to the amount of trafflo actually hauled on the Southern Pa cific lines. The business on the Southern Pa cific lines in this state that was routed to points outside of Oregon in 1903 amounted to 19,237 cars. This Is ex clusive of local business. In 1904 this number fell to 16,505 cars, while for the first ten months of 1906 the move ment to outside points climbed to the enormous volume of 23,828 cars. The total for the year, estimated on the basis of the first ten months, was 28,596 cars. In 1905 there were loaded for the East on tho Southern Pacific lines in Oregon 4720. but in ten months of 1906 the total figure was 8505, an in crease of 3785 cars. The figures of tho Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company tell a similar story, and it Is Just such a showing as this that Is proving an Inducement to the heads of the Harrlman system to further extend their tracks and make them ready for the great traffic that wiil be handled as soon as the rall3 are laid. Notwithstanding the fact that the Harrlman lines cross the state in two directions, the managers of the system are not content and will soon com There are 200 cars in service each day on the tracks of the Portland Railway Company and S3 cars on the tracks of the Oregon Water Power & Railway company. To the equipment of the two companies during the past year were added 32- pas senger cars. This number is much lower than it would have been had the roads not added greatly, to their rolling stock to meet the heavy traffic during the Exposition In 1S05. The estimates which have been made for 1907 Include the pur chase of 100 cars. These are needed part ly because of extensions of the lines, but principally because of increased popula tion making heavier traffic. While the mileage of Portland's electrio railway system has not been greatly en larged during the year, there has been a heavy expenditure In relaying and im proving the present system. The largest single project carried out was the Im provement of the line between Portland and Vancouver. A large section of the old track was abandoned and in its place was substituted three miles of track and trestle, necessitating an outlay of $135,000. The new route is a more feasible one, giving more direct service and having its northern terminus on the Columbia immediately opposite Vancouver and thus affording a shorter ferry crossing. Of great benefit to the city is the Council Crest line, a mile and one-half In length, and forming a loop on the heights west of the city. It connects with the Portland Heights loop and Is one of the most scenic electrio lines in the United States. The terminus of this line on Council Crest in 1000 feet above the city. The acreage which the line pen etrates has been laid out In lots, and will soon be one of the attractive resi dential districts of the city. In addition to these extensions, new tracks have been laid on Burnslde street from Fifth to Washington, and on Twenty-fourth street, from Thurman to the St. Helens road. Tracks ha.ve been replaced on First street, from Jefferson to the Marquam Gulch; on Second street from Morrison to Grant; on Jefferson, from Fifth to Chapman; on Union ave nue, from Eat Burnside to Holladay. and on Holladay, from the steel bridge to Grand avenue. Many minor improve ments and extensions have also been made. In practically all of the improve ments, 85pound rails have been used and the tracks have been laid on stone blocks. The officials are planning many extensions for the coming year, but are not yet ready to announce their exact location. A great increase in the available power of the system has been provided by the installation of a plant on the Clackamas River at Cazadero. This plant has beenconstructed at a cost of approx imately $1,009,000. It will furnish at first 15,000 horsepower, but Is built to give 25,000 horsepower with the construction of additional units. This plant is now practically completed, and will be ready to be operated within the present month. The company has also a water .plant at Oregon City, of 12.000 horsepower; a steam plant in North Portland of 12.000 horsepower, and a steam plant on the East Side of 3000 horsepower. ' To provide for all future needs of the city In the way of power, the company has planned the erection of an additional generating plant at Oregon City. This plant la to be composed of 20 units of 2500 mence construction on tho Oregon Eastern, a road that has been surveyed from Natron across Central Oregon to the Snake River and south to. the Klamath Lakes, where a connection will be made with the line now under construction through the lake country and to a Junction with the main line at Weed, Cai. From the main trunk line across Central Oregon feeders will be pushed Into Harney, Malheur -and Lake Coun ties, tapping the irrigated sections of Southern Oregon. Extensions are also planned north from, the main line across Oregon to Bend and Into the various irrigated districts of Central Oregon. This construction will, re quire fortunes, but Mr. Harriman has never balked where money is needed. The projected railroad building will open up a vast and wholly undevel oped country as large as an empire, but with a scanty population. Work has been commenced on . the Oregon Western, the road Into the Coos Bay country from the main line of the Southern Pacific. This project has attracted wide attention and has led to a general building up of the rich Coast country through which It will run. From Drain, where the new road leaves the Southern Pacific. main line, to Coos Bay Is 62 miles. The building of this road will cost over $3,000,000, and It Is estimated that it will be completed In two years. The first 20 miles is being built by Con tractor C. E. Loss. A new road that means much to Port land and the Stats of Oregon is the Oregon & Washington, a line projected north from Portland to Puget Sound and destined to be a unit in the great Union Pacific system. Construction on this road will soon be commenced. Steel rails have already been ordered for the first section. Another project of the Harrlman lines that will be given definite form during tho coming year is the building of the Columbia Valley Railroad from the vicinity of Kelso, Wash., where a connection will be had with the Oregon & Washington, to Knappton. Connec tion will there be made with the Il waco Railway & Navigation Company, forming an all-rail Harriman route to the Southwestern Washington beaches from Portland. The I. R. & N. is now being extended from Ilwaco to Knapp ton, where deeper water will permit the landing of steamers at any stage of the tides and will allow a regular schedule from Portland during the Summer. The extension is 14 miles in length and will be completed In the Spring. Some of New Feeders. Feeders from the main lines of the Southern Pacific and O. R. & N. are being constantly pushed out The Umatilla Central, from Pendleton to Pilot Rock, Is the latest such project. It is now under construction. It will tap a rich wheat country. The line to Joseph In Wallowa Coun ty from Elgin Is an Important piece of railroad building. It will cost"$l,300, 000 and is well along toward comple tion. It is also an O. R. & N. feeder. About $12,000,000 has been appropri ated by the Harrlman lines for ex tensions and the building of new mile age in this state. This Includes the lines under way and the Oregon East ern, work on which will soon be begun from Natron south to Klamath Falls. In addition huge sums have been spent during the year on new tracks, bridges and general maintenance work. The rebuilding of the main line of the O. R. & N. between Bonneville and Troutdale, eliminating curves and grades, now in progress, will cost $620, 000. During the past year the main line of the Southern Pacific from Ashland FAITH IN CITY and Electric Plants in Service Result horsepower each. Units will be added to the power as demanded, giving, when complete, 60.000 horsepower at flood tide This plant will cost J2.000.000. The most extensive work before the Portland Railway. Light & Power Com pany for 1907 is the placing of Its wires underground in the business district. Work is soon to commence upon thin change, which will cost the company about $500,000. It cannot be completed during the present year. " Simultaneous with this work the stringing of many miles of overhead wires to serve the residence districts goes forward. The wiring system will also be revised to meet the requirements of an ordinance recently passed to provide greater safety to linemen. Another project before the company for the present year is the Installation of a steam heating plant. A franchise for this was recently obtained from the city and plans for the system are now being completed. Steam heating pipes will be extended throughout the entire business district. The consolidated company has estab lished offices during the past few months in a building at First and Alder streets. It Is probable that larger quarters will be secured either this year or next. Be fore the merger had been made, the Port land General Electrio Company had com pleted plans for a fine office building at Seventh and Alder etreets. It Is poesible that these plans, with the necessary alteration will now be followed out, although no definite decision In this mat ter haa yet been reached. MAEGLY JUNCTION. Brilliant Future for This Young Gi ant Where) All Railroads Meet, Favored by nature and favored by the railroads, Maegly Junction, which a few months ago was practically un known, has Jumped with a bound Into unusual prominence, and. Judging from the building contracts that have been let. Its growth will be little short of phenomenal. Shrewd business men predict that In the near future Maegly Junction will be a thriving city with a population of from 60 to 75,000 people. The reasons given for such optimlstlo preaictions are numerous and only a few of them will be mentioned In this brief article. All of the Coast railroads cross and recross each other at this point, which Is the gateway to Port land. Columbia Slough will soon be dredged, so as to admit ocean steamers, and Maegly Junction will become the greatest shipping point In Portland, both by rail and water. The vast business Interests of the country, ever on the alert, were not slow to see the advantages of this favored spot, and Swift and Armour, the largest meat packers in the United States, have already- made plans to erect a plant costing $2,000,000. An eight-story brick building will he built at once by the railroad interests for the purpose of housing the neces sary force to handle their freight ex change business. Maegly Junction takes Its name from A. H. Maegly, a well-known citizen of Portland. to Saginaw has been relald with heavy steel rails, at an expense of $1.120,nno. Now steel bridges along the Southern Pacific now hoing Installed cost $592. 000. Bridges replaced by fills cost $137,000 more. The O. R. & N. and Southern Paclfio are regarded In Portland as home roads because of their headquarters here and the well-known- Portland men at their head. With their annual payroll In this city of almost $2,000,000. and an additional annual disbursement of ap proximately another million in this city for supplies, Portland may well regard the affiliated Harrlman lines as the greatest factor in the city's mag nificent growth. Portland Holds Exclusively. This opinion Is emphasized by the fact that of the territory that Portland holds exclusively against other dis tributing centers, through terminal rates and local rates outbound, the Harrlman lines supply over 90 per cent. This does nottako into consid eration any counties lrr Oregon tho Harriman lines do not touch with their rails. All of this means that the Interests of the Harriman lines are closely al lied with the city's interests. The 40 foot channel to the sea, Portland's foromost purpose, finds Its strongest support perhaps In the Harriman roads, which reaflze its importance. Death of a Pioneer. - Charles K. Besselleii, a well-known farmer and pioneer, died yesterday at his home at Sunnyside, Clackamas county, after five days' illness, aged 8 years. He came to Portland 36 years ago, where he lived for 11 years, pur chasing the Sunnyside farm In 1881. He engaged In dairying and general farming. His wife died In 1904. - He is survived by two sons, James N. and Henry B. Besselleu. Mr. Besselleu had a long and eventful life. Born In South Carolina, January 2, 1822, he was sent North to New Bedford, Mass., to be educated. Afterward he made his way, with a band of adventurers, to San TMego, Cal., in 1842. From here he shipped on a whaling vessel, which carried him north to Kamchatka, on the Siberian coast His trip on the whaler was one of thrilling interest. -He left the ship and returned to Mas sachusetts, and came to Portland In 1870. The funeral will be held today at 9 A. M., and the Interment will be in Lone Fir Cemetery. Weight Is no measure for coffee and tea; it's the name Schilling's Best. THE L. Y. KEADY INVESTMENT CO. Can and Will Give You information regarding PROFITABLE INVESTMENTS IN STOCKS, BONDS AND REAL, ESTATE WRITE US The L. Y. KsarJy Investment. Co. 307 FAILING BLDG. Phone Hals 125S. Portland, Oregon.