Surveyors Hunt a Mountain Pass for Newport’s Railroad Future

Four railroad surveyors, presumably in the employ of the Great Northern Railway, have been at work searching for a pass through the mountain range that cuts Stevens County north and south, according to the latest railroad report. Leading Chewelah citizens who have been in Newport the past week say surveyors who had been at work locating a spur to the copper mines east of Chewelah have completed a preliminary survey across the mountains to the Calispell valley, having spent several weeks on the job.

It is stated that a pass was found which permits of a maximum grade of not more than 2 per cent, making a very feasible route.

This information is in line with what The Miner has on several occasions predicted—that the Great Northern would at some time build a cut-off from Newport to a connection with the Spokane Falls & Northern line at Chewelah. Such a cut-off would materially shorten the distance from the east to the mining regions of British Columbia and northeastern Washington, and through a connection with the Victoria, Vancouver Eastern, now being built by the Hill interests, or their present line from Bellingham to Rockport, would open up a vast unexploited region. Hill and Canadian Pacific interests are constantly coming into competition with each other in the boundary regions, and the cut-off saving the haul to Colbert and up the S.F. & N. would be a material advantage to the Great Northern, which it is not likely will be long overlooked.

Tracklaying on the Idaho & Washington Northern Railroad has been suspended until about August 15, at which time another section of grade will be turned over by the contractors. Chief Engineer Smith states that when tracklaying is again resumed the grade will be in such shape that the work can be continued to Ione without interruption. A total of 21 miles has been laid up to this time, and while awaiting the turning over of more of the grade the work of ballasting and getting the track in shape for operation will be continued.

The right-of-way of the new railroad will be fenced whenever necessary just as soon as the material therefor arrives. About 20 miles of fence material has been ordered, and building of it will be started as soon as it arrives. The fence will be the same as that built on the completed portions of the railroad. All of the Calispell valley country will be fenced, and wherever else along the line that fence is needed to protect ranchers' clearings.

The House of Representatives at Washington, D.C., has passed a bill authorizing the Idaho & Washington Northern to construct a bridge across the Pend Oreille River at the lower end of Box Canyon. The Metaline extension will cross the river at this point.

Several carloads of gravel from the Spirit Lake pit, a concrete mixer and an engine to operate the mixer were sent to Blue Slide today to be used in concreting the railroad tunnel.

Latest reports are to the effect that the Morrissey cut a few miles north of town will be completed about August 15, and passenger train service to Usk will be started about that date. The station at Usk was opened Friday with H. K. Hood, formerly of Troy, Mont., as agent in charge.

Eastbound passenger trains on the Great Northern are carrying more people than usual of late, nearly all trains being crowded to the limit and hauling extra coaches. The rush to register at Kalispell for the Flathead reservation opening is responsible for the increase in traffic. A noticeable increase in westbound traffic to the Seattle exposition has occurred in the past few weeks.