Lewiston inter-state news. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1905-1906, 1905-12-12
SHORT ROUTES AND EASY
GRADES.

The state of development of a coun-
try does not at the present time enter
largely into the determining Of the
route to be finally decided upon by any
transcontinental railway, seeking an
outlet to the Pacific coast.
1t is reasonable to believe that when
the Milwaukee or any other transconti-
mental line now endeavoring to reach
the coast decides to build that the chief
determining factors in the selection of
route will be length of the road and
grades.
Years ago when the first railway was
constructed across the Rocky noun
tains, it was not considered good policy
to slight the smallest hamlet provided
it could be reached without too great a
sacrifice. The ascent of an extra
mountain or the winding about of
large lake or two did not deter the
road from placing Of the very remote
and struggling village upon the main
line. and q ride over these early con-
structed roads today convinces one that
the chief aim Of the engineers was to
place upon the right of way the great
est numberof towns possible, regardless
OF what contortions it was necessary
to put the road through.
The country was in an undeveloped
state. The advantages of one section
over another were little. Even the
east, from whence the great roads
started could not be said to be more
than In its infancy in the way Of COM
mercial growth and westward only
possibilities awaited.
Now we ind the two extremes
RAPIDLY developing with the west the
goal Of every railway OF any import
ance and the all important question
with each road that has decided to
build is, what route offers the shortest
way and easiest grades.
The fact that good route may be
found running through highly de-
veloped country, offering a large bust
ness to begin with is not sufficient rea-
son to call for its selection. The same
business which may now lie awaiting
In the highly developed country might
bs had more profitably by the con-
struction OF branch line, extended
from the shortest route running. per-
haps. through an extremely undevel-
Oped country, capable, however. Of flu
ture wonderful expansion
In the selection OF the Clearwater
route to the sea by way of Lewiston,
which IT seems evident the Milwaukee
is about to conclude, the road secures
the best possible grades and shortest
mileage. 1t will pass through coun-
bla Of the widest development in min
ing. lumber. stock growing. farming
and fruit growing Indeed it may be
said that thk greater portion Of this
country il yet virgin. thus the road will
not only enjoy the trade which already
awaits It's coming In the developed por-
lions along its route. but 1t will also
be able to take part in the shaping and
building up on an immensely rich Sec
tiOn to furnish additional traffic in the
years to come.
The construction of transcontinen-
tai line through to the sea by way Of
Lewiston: the passing by Of some
highly developed section Of country;
the necessity Of allowing some ambi-
tiOns cities and villages to remain dis
tant some few miles from the main line
OF the road does not mean. as some
would have us believe. that the rail-
way 80 constructing would In any way
be overlooking good thing. or isolat-
ing itself from already developed BUSH
ness These can all be reached and
made extensive feeders by the building
sOf branch lines