The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-07-19
III RIVER PR F.

claims that the order for their construc-
ton has already gone forth. BY way of
assistance he asks the people of Helena
to construct a railroad around the falls,
orto unite with the peopleof Benton and
build the road from . point above the
falls to this place. Then to make the
project complete he would construct
another section Of railroad from Helena
to the river, q distance Of twelve miles,
this being the last link in the chain of
river and rail transportation from the
east to Montana's capital, otherwise
known as the''queen city ofthe mountain
empire
All Of this looks very well on paper.
But it is not practicable. It will not
bring returns for the money invested. 1t
is not founded on good business prin-
ciples. 1t will fail in the chief purpose
intended, viz: furnishing cheap trans
portation for Helena and other points on
the upper river.
If it was simply d matter Of continuous
navigation to Helena, the advantage to
that town, Notwithstanding the great
distance above Benton, would be in
estimable. But this is not the PROPOSE
ton. It is proposed to build two rail-
roads and operate them, railroads that
would absolutely have nothing to do ex-
cept transport the goods for the upper
country from Benton to the terminus
above the falls in one case and from the
river to Helena in the other. With the
Northern Pacific completed to Helena
this business would be woefully light,
ever if the freight rates should be lower
(Which is not possible), and for at least
six months of the year the railroads
would be-
.tAs idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean"
Railroading or this plan, even for very
short distances, will " pay in this
country, or any other. II most cases it
is necessary to run every day, and Sun
day, too,u in order to make q showing OF
net profits.
For the sake of argument, suppose
LIZ obStI tt'LtoIIc I1oNA o11iI VI
from the upper river, the boats placed
unon it. and the railroads built chow
many millions would this requireo:1, let
us consider for a moment the difficulties
Of transporting a car load of merchan-
disc from Chicago to Helena. It is first
transferred from the car to the boat at
Bismarck, then to a car at Benton, then
from the car to the upper boat, then
from the boat to a car on the second rail-
road, and finally at the Helena depot.
The freight must be handled five times,
while if shipped by way Of the Northern
Pacificit is loaded on a car and sent
directly through without change. If
Mr.. Waters would only explain how it is
possible to ship by the former proposed
route, even considering the great advan-
tages Of river transportation, cheaper
than by the latter he will confer a last
ing favor upon some Of the readers ofthe
RIVER PRESS.
It is readily understood why Helena
is anxious to secure connection with
Benton, the head of navigation on the
Missouri, but her people should seek a
more practicable way of attaining that
end than the visionary II offered by
Mr.. Waters, As before suggested in
these columns, a railroad directly from
Helena to Benton, out of the control of
any other railroad corporation in the
territory, will give them security for
cheap transportation. This railroad
would be a good investment, and in due
time would become one Of the most inn
portant lines in the territory. If the
citizens of Helena are so solicitous to
secure connection with Benton this is
the project that should command their