Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-01-16

but which has attracted little public
notice. is the building of railroad
from the point where the Southern
Pacific line crosses klamath river
into the basin of Southeastern Ore.
gon. This little road, now something
like 30 miles long. follows the gen
eral line of the Klamath river in a
northeasterly direction, piercing the
mountain barriers which separate
California from Oregon, crossing tho
state boundary a short distance above
Klamath Hot Springs, and entering
the fine timber belt which lies be-
tween Klamath lake on the east and
the Cascade mountains on the west
The nominal purpose Of this enter
prise is to reach the klamath timber
belt, but that behind this purpose
there is a larger one related to thd
permanent commerce Of the country,
is made manifest by the fact that the
work Of construction has been done
in the most thorough manner and that
the work of construction has been
done in the most thorough manner
and that arrangements have been
made at a point on Klamath lake look
ing to the establishment of terminal
facilities. Some 70 or Is miles more
Of construction from Pokegama, tho
present northern terminus of the line,
will carry it forward to a connection
with navigation on upper Klamath
lake.
The great basin Of Southwestern
Oregon thus approached for the first
lime by an effective system of trans.
1ortation is the largest remaining dis.
rict in the United States wholly un
developed in a transportational sense.
{ is a country as large as the state
If Ohio, with a thousand elements Of
potential wealth, but which up to
his time has been held in the bon.
Iage Of an almost absolute isolation !
The five or six thousand people who |
Iccupy this great region are devoted |
exclusively to the stock industry and .
I've practically the lives of pioneers.
{ is useless to produce anything
Which cannot walk out to market.
therefore,, nothing in the way Of com.
lunity Industry Is attempted except.
ng animal husbandry. Wide areas of
he most beautiful country lie barren
nd waste because cultivation is use
ess where there is no means Of get
Ing TO market.
II has long been a question with
hose who know anything about the
'lamath region as to whether II ha
'ngs commercially to California 10
'regon or to the commercial cities of
'tah 1t is approachable by prac.
lcally level routes from the north.
rom the east and from the southwest:
nd the soberest judgment has been
hat the future commercial connec.
lon Of the country depends largely
pom which Of these three routes was
rst to be opened. This point has
cen determined by the enterprise of
he klamath lumber country, Of which
ir Hervey Lndley of Los Angeles.
the most active spirit The Klam.
tn River railroad, which has now
enetrated TO Pokegama and which
lust soon reach Klamath lake. can.
OF fail to establish the line of com
lercial interest southward-with the
lmmerclal cities Of California. One
lilroad will for long time be annie
n all the needs Of the Klamath ba.
H. This road, now nearly construct.
!, establishes the connection with
alitornia and il will probably have
rival for many years to come. Cal.
ornia' through Mr. Lindley's enter.
Use, has at least won the first move