The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1905-11-30

many reasons. 1t Is true. however.
that some unfortunate conditions
exist which have always discounted
the advantages OF this natural pass.
Our greatest disadvantage comes
from the lack of Influence In the rail-
road branch of business affairs OF the
money centeIs. While we possess the
greatest natural resources CT any
new railroad field In the country, we
have no influence In the right quar-
ter to impress this fact upon rail-
road builders. Our wealth Is DOR
mant and it does not speak for it.
self. and we have no sponsor at the
money court.
The first advantage OF the Salmon
river pass Is In the fact that there
is no snowfall along the route and no
hindering grades to overcome. The
cry is raised that the gorges Of the
water courses are serious engineering
difficulties In the way OF construc-
ton. The interested parties have
been frightened away by the senti-
mental plea for some rival route, In
which these difficulties were greatly
exaggerated. This condition OF mis-
representation calls for local inllu-
ence that could be made formidable
in refuting this prejudice. Only for
the bugaboo Of Obstacles to construc-
ton, the. Salmon River canyon would
have been occupied long ago by some
trans continental railroad. This
false sentiment could have been
shattered at any time in the past 20
years by an organizes effort on the
part of the residents OF this valley.
The wealth of the Salmon River
basin has always been discounted by
our business rivals. Even the Gov
Iernment has never fealized that we
possessed natural wealth enough tc
Justify the Investigation Of corps OF
geological surveyors. The influence oil
a false sentiment has caused this Off.
cial neglect. 1t Is fact that the
richest section OF the state lies within
the mountain barriers that have iso
lated this region so long. This senti
ment should be refuted by facts. \
local organization that could ISSUE
authoritative statistics to the doubtin.
; world could overcome the influenc,
of false sentiment.
Our natural wealth exists In min
eral and agricultural resources, whicl
cannot impress the business world r.
a display of profit production Will
we are isolated. The county record
hold evidence OF the discovery o
valuable minerals on 10000 acres o
the public domain of the Salmon
basin. This record includes onl
half of the course OF the Salmon riv
er railroad route. This showing
not equaled in any section OF equa
area In all the United States. Thi
represents an immense dorman
wealth, and 1t is made absolutel
tributary to the fortunate railroa
that first occupies this route. A raj
road along the Salmon river will Ell
Joy a monopoly of the richest miners
belt in the world for all time to come
1t is a most strategic route. HeI
nature has facilitated monopoly, an
one that will control millions Of bus
ness, regardless Of presidents and con
merce committees.
Only one railroad could possibI
occupy the Salmon canyon, whic
must naturally control 20, 900, 900 a"r'
e OF rich mineral, grazing, timber an
agricultural lands, for all time. III
primary wealth of this whole regio
is the mineral OF the lode deposit
1t must wait for this Salmon roa
before 1t can be fully demonstrate
to the skeptical capitalist. Million
of IONS Of gold, silver, copper, lea
nickel, cobalt, zinc, bismutb, tun'
ten, mangaese and iron are locke
j. up here. This form OF wealth CA
not develop in advance Of transport
tion. The common rule OF waitiI
for the traffic to grow, which is nc
followed by the road builders, cam
be applied to the conditions that pr
vail In this commercial field. The
must be some other method OF mea
urine our future than by the prese
or past traffic when all traffic is Il
hidden by natural conditions.
The surest source OF relief would
. In an organization for the purpose
a combating the false sentiment th
4 has retarded our country for ma
Z years, by an Irresistible array OF far
! that would bring railroad witho
{ delay. Fate, however, has pitied
I in our lassitude, and the progress
! other sections of the world has ma
{ demand for this pass regardless
I its local importance. Unless sol
; other decree turns our wheel OF 4
{ tune too far we will ride into a bu
I ness realm while we sleep. And |
; echoes Of better times may arouse ,
4 forces and call out an effort In {
Z own behalf at this propitious tin
\ A little boost on the spokes OF (
& wheel OF fortune just now wol
Z bring US into the light OF the worlc
progress. IL Is, at least. TO be boz
{ the pioneers who have fallen asleeE