The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-08
BILLINGS OPPORTUNITY

D0 d large anu DIOopcAOuo OAUy anu
will always remain as it now is-the
metropolis of eastern Montana. For
tuitous in situation and favored by
environment as it is, yet much de-
ponds upon the efforts of its citizens
to give it the position that by right
belongs to it. To speedier promote
its growth and prosperity united action
and the manifestation of the proper
public spirit are necessary. Individ-
ual action must be displaced by organ
lied communal effort in order that
the best results may be obtained.
The present is as good as any time to
make that effort, in fact the sooner
there is an awakening in the direction
pointed out the quicker will the bene-
fits accrue. The opportunity to do
something for the enhancement of the
city's interests is now presented.
Only a little work and the expend-
iture ofsa little energy are required to
accomplish that which will, prove of
vast and lasting benefit to the COM
munity.
Within a short time a second line of
railroad will have reached a point
only about IL miles from the city.
The distance is so short that the road
should not be allowed to remain there
without all extension to Billings if
determined effort can induce it to fill
the gap. Reference is had to the
Burlington's Toluca-Cody branch.
While 1t is true that the Burlington is
practically already here, it must be
remembered that it is only through
the courtesy of a competing road that
it is enabled to run it's trains into the
city, being obliged to, use the North.
ern Pacific's tracks from Huntley, the
present terminus of its main line.
The benefits that two distinct and
separate railroads would be to the
city are so apparent that it would be
Useless to even attempt to enumerate
them. So long as one road is compelled
to use the trackage of another in COM
petition for the business of the same
objective point the leasing road is at a
disadvantage in many respects and
does not possess that freedom Of action
and independence it would have were
it operating its own line the entire
distance necessary to reach that CON-
mon objective. Having accomplished
an entry to the city as it did, many
people are inclined to let the matter
rest and allow the road to do the best
it can, apparently Indifferent to or ig
norant Of the prestige it would give
Billings as a commercial and shipping
point were it to have two instead O.
only n main railroad line to connec
it with the rest of the country.
The Burlington is unlike many 9th
er roads, in that it is always prompted
by the kindliest feelings toward com
munities upon which it depends for it
support and patronage. It never seek
to retard the growth of any city o
town it may enter in order to benef
another. It never makes the exactio
of subsidies the cost of securing tn
privilege of it's connections and ha
not been constructed through govern
mental aid in the way of land grant
or other forms of bonus. Its dealing
with people and communities is a
ways marked by great fairness an
liberality and the desire to aid in tt
upbuilding of towns and cities alon
its various lines, knowing that such
course will result in benefits to itsel
In fact, the Burlington fully under
lands and appreciates what is meal
by a community of interests. Its 81
tire history is proof of this.
The good of the city demands TIL
an effort be made to induce the con
pany to build a spur from the Toluc
Cody branch, SO that Billings ms
have the advantage that ONE fro
being situated on two distinct al
separate lines of railroad. To be su
oessful, however, such effort shou
BE- the combined work of the citizel
and it should be an earnest, enthuf
jastic effort. IF undertaken it may
relied upon that it will be met in
spirit Of fairness and that due co
sideration will be given to any prop
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