The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-03-16

and that gentleman informed us his CON-
PAW had its eye upon the copper eoun-
try, but It was then impossible to do any
thing, as he assured us moet roads had
enough to do TO pay the interest on their
bonds without mourning any fresh debt
and that, in fact, he was not aware OF
one road in the west which had pur-
chased a can OF paint that was not alb
solutely necessary, although he SAID ne
had no doubt but that his road would
eventually, but when, IL was Impossible
to say, come to Calumet.
The News believing that one oil the
lines, when It's management got ready
would be extended to thecopper country,
did not endorse the Robinson bill as II
was afraid that II the Legislature inter
fered with the railroad charges, such
action might cause delay In bringing In
the roads, for we believe that when one
comes the other will soon follow here
and therefore our object in not endorsing
the bill was not, as many might have
supposed, In the interest OF the railroads,
but II was, as we told MIR. Hubbard, ex-
actly the contrary, for we believed It
would be better not to pass the bill, which
might give the roads some excuse Tor
dallying, but for the people oil the copper
country to do all they could to get one
of the roads here and that as competi-
ton would naturally follow a reduction
in both freight and passenger rates would
ensue as a matter Of course, without the
OF the Legislature.
The difficulty appeared to be awaken
ing the people. not the business men
alone, to the state of affairs and that
they should arise and demand, II that IL
the proper word, that the wide guage be
to this place. A letter ap-
peared In the Evening NEWS on the 18th
,f last April. wherein II was shown
hat every barrel OF -four consumed by
he people OF this community cost 16
ents extra through having to be trans
erred to our narrow gauge system.
When il is considered the many thous-
nd barrels OF -four brought over the
iineral Range and II. & G. railroads the
AZ those lines mulct our people for this
rticle alone annually,amounts to very
considerable sum, which OF course, with
be merchants interest on the outlsy, all
omes out OF the pocket OF the consumer,
ne workingman. This. 1t should be re-
rendered, il only one item.
Now, however, the business men APP
ear to have awakened from their leth-
rgy and it is to be hoped that the peo-
e, who should reap the benefit, will
ack up the action which may be taken
the meeting to he held on Thursday
,xt in Hancock:ands all business men,
neither in large or small way, should
AXE point OF attending and 80 help
ong not only their own interests, but
ose also OF their friends. the consumers.
Il 10 to be hoped that the supervisors
the various townships In the county,
well as the officials OF the various min
z companies will, in the interest OF their ,
,ployees, attend the meeting, so that q
g railroad companies will fully under
aud that the people OF the copper coun- ,
: mean business and will insist upon I
e OF the roads being extended to this
ace. By the way, there was, some
ara ago, II we remember correctly, :
ovement made by Mr.. Charles A.
right and Others for connection with
. broad gauge system at Watersmeet,
some place near there. What has be- /
me OF it? {
When it is considered that the g., N. & s
p. runs to Champion, only about :
tv miles from Houghton, and the C. & !
W. to Michigamme, this side OF that, il p
wonderful how our people would have v
owed themselves to be taxed by the >,
s. s. & A. and the narrow gauge roads a
so long time without concerted
k; but now one is about to be made q
us all put aside our jealousies and Z
Ter matters and kick the ball with a I
and keep it rolling until we zee the O
in that leaves Chicago run to Calumet y
ect. This can be done II the people and a.
business men will only act together. d
L