Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1903-09-30
ELECTRIC RAILROAD AGAIN.
Something of the Opportunities for Sc.
curing the Road, and What is Ex.
pected of the People.

The following letter was handed
US last week too late for insertion:
The Eastern States are already
enmeshed in a network of electrical
railways. These roads carry both
freight and passengers. They have
been exceedin2 ly profitable. Certainly
soon orlate they Will become feature
of our own traffic facilities. Practi-
cally it depends upon the people OF
Winnesheik to determine for them
selves whether they want these in
creased transportation aids within a
reasonable time or whether their ad-
vent is to De deferred indefinitely. If
we want them now it will be neces-
sary for the people of DEBORAH, and
the farmers living along the contem-
plated right of way to manifest their
interest by action.
Hon. H. r Wells, of Preston,
Mimi, has been in correspondence
with Attorney Arthur F. Anundsen
with reference to franchise through
the City of DEBORAH. and the follow
ing letter, which appears below, will
give very fair idea of the actual sit
uation:
Preston, Mimi. Aug. 3, '03.
Arthur f. Anundsen, Attorney.
DEBORAH, la.
My Dear Sir:
Your favor of the 3lst inst receiv-
ed, thanks. The financial aspect has
been against US this season and doe S
not seem to improve. l have no doubt
as to our ultimate success and that
the electric line will be constructed,
though we may be compelled to wait
more encouraging outlook financially.
The franchise through DEBORAH and
right of way to Prosper should be Sc
cured there with reasonable aid along
the line. We will have something to
offer for basis of financing the enter
prise, this with few miles of con-
struction will enable us to bond as
sections are constructed, and so secure
completion of the whole line.
The Albany & Hudson Valley man
aged to construct five miles and on
that meagre beginning completed and
are operating something over two
hundred miles of road in n. Y. Tie
president is cousin of mine and is
very much interested in our project.
He will commend ..us to n. Y. capital
if need be when conditions are favora
BILE. Our course or line projected,
DEBORAH to st. Paul, is most needed,
most commendable and most inviting.
The people are enthusiastic over it
and it must go. Get the franchise
and right of way, if possible, il will
not be lost. -
Sincerely and truly,
H. K. Wells.
The right of way through DEBORAH
would have to be sanctioned By vote
of the people. There is scarcely room
to doubt that the vote will be heavily
in favor Of the franchise.
The owners of property along the
country highways will be benefited to
an Unreasonable extent by such a
line. and If they are Interested in
having it go through they are request
ed to signify their sanction by calling
upon Ben Bear. G. j. Weiser or Arthur
+. Anundsen
Mr.. Wells letter explains quite fully
the method by which these roads are
generally built. 1t will be understood
that the project cannot be handled by
local capital. No one in Winnesheik
County will be asked or expected to
donate any money to the line or to
buy one cent of it's stock, but if De-
corah will give its streets and the pro-
perty owners along the highways
will concede the right of way, there
is no reason why the undertaking can
not be carried through in this locality
the same as it has been in numberless
other places. If the people living
along the line would feel enough in
terested to volunteer a little work
that would make 1T just so much
easier to place the bonds with Eastern
capitalists.
Ii rhe property owners along the
line between here and Prosper are
interested in this matter they may
obtain further information by calling
upon either Mr.. Ben Bear, Mr.. @. j.
Weiser, or myself,
Very truly yours,
Arthur f. Anundsen.