The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1903-04-10
Electric Roads for Idaho.

A writer of some prominence re-
Gently in summing up Idaho's re-
sources gave among the number
the possibilities of electric roads In
the development of the state. In
the light of some pending develop.
ments resu me of this article Is
very apropos:
The development of Idaho's
water power makes possible an
other most vital factor in the line
of great development-electric
roads. The writer believes there
will be a great era Of electric road
building in the next few years.
Electric roads operated by cheap
power are one of the most import
ant factors in the history OF our up
to date civilizers and developers.
Electric roads climb grades that
steam roads cannot. They can be
constructed and operated for much
less money, and they are not only
most useful but extremely neces.
sary. There will be hundreds Of
miles of electric roads constructed
in Idaho during the next ten years.
In the restless. feverish struggle
between the transcontinentel rail.
roads it is difficult to size up the
situation, but 1t is more than reas
enable to suppose that common
northern points such as Butte,
Mon, and Spokane, Wash where
the big roads all meet on neutral
ground, will in time take advant-
age of the cut off between Butte
and San Francisco, thereby saving
over 500 miles. This would Con-
struct the now so called Idaho
Midland. Again, the Canadian
Pacific may, as a retaliatory meas
ure for invasion Of their territory,
decide to go to San Francisco.
Colonel Dewey is right, he is build
Ing little railroad all the time,
but it Is growing more important
all the while and the future will
demonstrate that Colonel Dewey's
long head had a long railroad in it.
The Pacific and Idaho Northern is
most important project. Lewis
A Hall did Idaho a mighty turn
when he constructed that 62 miles
CT road from Weiser to Council.
This road will soon bave north
ern connection and then who
knows but it may turn south? One
thing certain, the P / & N. occu-
pies field of great resource, and
when the Seven Devils" country
is opened, and the country to the
north and east as well, its value
will create an immediate demand
for branches from the main line to
the many mining camps that will
be tributary.
The greatest problem for the
progressive citizen of Idaho to con-
slider today is the opening up, by
trails, wagon roads, electric roads,
and steam roads, that great strip of
country between the Northern Pa
cific railroad on the north and the
Oregon Short Line on the south,
a country of thousands OF square
miles, inactive at present, a land of
vast mineral wealth, great tracts of
splendid timber, large valleys, and
summer grazing range everywhere.
This stretch of country alone will
sustain an enormous population.
The writer looks Tor great devel.
opment in this st ction, and north |
and nth roads will be the great
est factor in doing it.
We live in wonderful AEGEAN
age of action. Great enterprises
are born in a day and rushed to
almost before we real.
lie it. Millions are not hard to
interest and employ as soon as the
necessary confidence is established,
and far, plain presentation of
Idaho's resources aud earning ca
pacity will secure the required cap.