Lewiston inter-state news. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1905-1906, 1905-06-02

ing of the portage railroad at Cello,
thus afforcing independent water
TRANSFORMATION from Lewiston to the
sea and the beginning Of work on
railroad which Is to afford water
level route to seaboard from the most
easterly portions of the state of ore
gon and from a large portion OF the
states of Idaho and Washington, are
three events that will not soon be for
gotten. Not since establishment OF
railroad connection with the east has
there been a more important transpor-
tation movement in this country than
the proposed opening of the water level
rail route between the inland empire
and tidewater. In Fastening this de-
movement. which means so much for
the Pacific northwest, the portage road
has played most important part. Pc
titions, threats, prayers and remon-
strances against the reailroad policy
that was retarding development of the
interior were Of no avail, and the por-
tage road alone might not have accom-
plished the most pleasing result on
which we are now to be congratulated.
But the building of this road made
it possible for the people OF Lewiston
, and Grangeville to put through their
project for an independent electric line
to tap the best portion Of the Clear
water country. The railroads quickly
disclosed the fact that they had no
OK ~ fro ~,
already involved or to be created, and
| announcement that immediate con-
| struction Of the long-delayed extern
sions would begin followed quickly on
the heels Of the statement that success
of the electric line was assured. From
a local standpoint the greatest inter-
| est just at this time is felt in the open
| ing of the Clearwater country, but Of
equally great and perhaps, even greater
! Importance Is construction Of the
Snake river line from Huntington to
Lewiston.
| Into this new channel will be d.
verified a steadily increasing portion
of that tide of commerce that Is now
| sweeping westward to the far east by
rail and Pacific steamer. With
the completion Of the Snake river
! branch from Huntington to Riparia by
way Of Lewiston, transcontinental
| freight can be laid down at tidewater
! on the Pacific coast at smaller cost
| per ton per mile than over any other
transcontinental line. With an increas-
ing volume Of west bound business
greater advantages will be offered our
lumber manufacturers for the ship
ment Of their product to the east. and
on the ocean there will be an increas-
ed steamer service to facilitate the
handling Of the oriental traffic origin
/ ating in our immediate vicinity. Ano-
Their very important feature of the sit
uation lies in the fact that the rail-
roads have been Shown"
When the Northern Pacific. in a
measure by accident, built a line
through a steep canyon into the Clear
water country few years ago. it was
predicted that the business obtainable
would never reach proportions suffi-
| N'S1 " pay operating expenses con
trary to these predictions. 1t has de.
veloped into such great potrportions
that 1t is taxing the facilities Of the
road to handle 1t by the present unnat
ural route. With such a practical ant
profitable demonstration of what car
be accomplished in small portion o
the Clearwater country. reinforced b,
the determination Of the Lewiston PEG
pie to back with cash their judgment
on the remainder of that rich field, 1
has at lastdawned on the railroad peo
pie that there is much profitable bust.
ness to be developed. and if they ar,
recreant in their duty in developing 1t
others will take up the work.