Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1901-08-22
THE ELECTRIC ROAD,
The Proposition Is Meeting With Gen.
eral Favor.

proposed electric system of rail-
ways is progressing very favorably
at this end, and if our neighbors
only do half as well as growing
Grangeville there will be no diff
Guilty in getting the amount Of
money required to make the sur
veys and estimates Of cost this
fall. At the last meeting Of the
Board Of Trade a committee con-
sisting Of Jos. A. Wilkinson and A..
F. Parker was appointed to solicit
subscriptions to the capital stock
of the proposed incorporation and
are meeting with unexpected sue
cess. 1t is designed to raise $500
OF the amount required in Grange
vile, leaving another $500 to be
subscribed in Lewiston. and the
remaining $500 to be raised in
Denver, Cottonwood, Nez Perez
aud other towns on Camas Prairie
and the reservation country. The
amount Of Grangeville's contribu-
tion to this important enterprise is
nearly raised. Let our neighbors
be not weary in well-doing, but
continue their efforts, as the time
has now come when the people
must work out their own salvation
if they desire transportation with
the outside world.
At the same meeting of the
Board of Trade a committee con-
sisting of w. w. Brown, f. +.
Fogg and A. +. Parker was III, =
pointed to communicate with the
authorities of the Union Pacific
and Northern Pacific railway com
panies for a traffic arrangement
for a term of years, upon the basis
of An equal division of the freight
furnished by the electric system to
both roads. 1t is considered that
such an agreement will be neces-
sary before bonds for construction
could be handled or 1oated, and it
is considered as equally sure that
with such an agreement there will
be no. difficulty whatever in se-
curing all the money required &c
build, equip and operate the clec-
trio system.
There are too many people who
pooh-pooh the idea Of this electric
system ever being constructed.
But the outlook is quite favorable
aud as a friendly hint to the pes
simists we would suggest that they
do not gamble heavily on the
proposition, as the project is in a
fair way to become an actual fact.
Mr.. Mellen, president Of the
Nol thern Pacific railway, was in
Portland the other day and stated
that there would be no further con.
struction of railroads in the Clear
water country until the two con.
llicting companies got together.
Now, it is well known that Mr..
Hartman, of the Union Pacific
| will never surrender the exclusive
right to build railroads in the
Clearwater country to the North
ern Pacific or to anyone else. Mr.
Hartman is ready and willing tc
build his system into this rich
country, and he does not care
whether the Northern Pacific Oh
any other railroad also builds
But as we understand the contro
versy between these great railway
magnates, the. Northern Pacifi,
claims the exclusive right to built
into and occupy the Clearwater
country, and is unwilling that any
other company shall cut the "Mel
len" Of the Clearwater traffic. Tt
this outrageous condition of affair
Mr.. Hartman will never consent
and consequently, we, the peopl,
of the great Clearwater countr,
are liable to be gray-headed befor
the work of building railroads her
is commenced. 1t may as well b
accepted now as later that the tw,
companies will never agree. Con
sequently, the time is opportune
and the opportunity is here for tn
people most directly interested t
take hold OF the transportation
matter themselves and work ou
their own salvation independent,
of the steam railroads through th
medium Of an electric road.
The prestige the great ''Clear
water Railroad War; between til
two rival steam roads has give
the Clearwater country in Wal
street and other financial centers
very great; and there are alread
assurances OF ample financial back
ing for the electric system as 500
as the project is put in shape fc
the market. 1t is for this latte
purpose that the local company
being formed. Surveys and est
mates of cost Of construction an
equipment must be prepared; r,
ports and statistics of the tonae
available, and such other bushes
as is necessary must be put in IL
: form of report for the investig
!, !, ton of those who have the none
to invest in enterprises Of th
character. They will then ser
out their own experts to verify OF
. reports, and if no exaggerations
:, misrepresentation are found, tn,
there will be no doubt about Il
| Wi LII n nuocn .of mi tn lcfc 70 Do