Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-02-21
GOULD AND rng aIo oaANoe.


After ten days Of segregation aud
funnors Of various sorts, quietncss
seefns to peryade the railroad atmos-
phere. While absorption of connect
ing links was in process by the big
operators of the east. many wondered
what part the Rio Grande would play
In the game. In one sense the Den
yer & Rio Grande IL. and has been
looked upon, MS more OF local or
Colorado road than otherwise; and
in the mad rush for through connec-
tions some were disposed not to con
slider the road as an important fac
tor, but those who have kept step with
railroad progress the past ten or NJ.
teen years realized that the Colorado
road was in pretty good shape TO
take care of its own interests. The
development Of Colorado and the Rio
Grande road have gone hand in hand.
Wherever the sturdy prospector found
q foothoid and opened up q new sec
tion OF promise, the Rio Grande rail-
road soon followed, until today It has
network Of tracks throughout the
state that cons.ituted feeders that
could not be overlooked by the more
direct transcontinental lincs.
when in the middle OF last week
rumors were flying thick md fast.
there was great deal OF uncasiDeBs
In Denver. especially among railroad
men connected with the Rio Orandc.
Az well as other lines, but II was won.
dcrful TO note the sense OF relief that
followed the announcement that Geo.
Gould was the power behind the
throne and that no changes OF import.
nnce would take place. II Is doubtful
II there are half dozen railroad man
agements In the United States that
have given better satisfaction. con.
siderlng conditions, than that which
has shaped the dcstinles OF tho Rio
Grnnde. This does not necessarily
mean that there has not been cause
for complaint ut times, but for road
without competition and considering
the cost and difficulties of operation,
isolated sections have had little rea.
ron 10 gr,lmble. We of Durango feel
that this section ia entitled to moro
consideration. and that n more liberal
course would tend to build up the
city. but II must be granted that the
management has ever lent an atten.
tive ear TO all matters relating to the
advancement OF this section.
While the Gould people have sc
cured an lntcrcst In the Denver q Rio
Grande and Gould win be an import.
ant factor in the affairs OF the com
pany. there IN no reason to feel that
trust" manipulation will make It's
influence felt In the direction of It's
policy. In fact IT Is not plain where
a more satisfactory connection could
have been made. The Missouri Pa.
oific road, with its extensive feeders
and eastern connections. belongs 10
Gould. and the fact that the same In
forests have entered into the Rio
Grandc means that the time Ia not far
distant when Pacific coast conncc-
tions will become u necessity. aud
there In no more direct route thnn
from Pueblo through the San Luis
valley to Durango and on west. as
iH shown by an article published III
the Denver Republican OF recent date.
George Gould Is energetic and viii
not consent to stand idly by while
his rivals are reaching out for Pacific
coast business. The Denver g. Rio
Grande forms an important link, and
with It's numerous branches through
out the state win ut once cause the
Missouri Pacific to become more close
ly Identified with our interests, and
The Herald looks forward to import
ant developments within the next
year. as II IL but natural that the
men controlling the latter road viii
he interested In developing the vast
resources OF this growing section, and
Southern Colorado affords the only
through Pacific coast route of special
value.
Az before stated, our people have
every reason to congratulate them-
selves that Gould was tho one to
step into the Rio Grande directory.
as we can look for liberal and pro
grcssiyc policy.