The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-11-22
Testimony Of Expert Called by the CompIainants
Gives Rude Jolt to Their Claims. admits His
Estimates Not to be COnfOrmabe to Practice
TYPOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE
For Position the Railroad Holds So Far Evidence introduced Goes
TO ShowPrce Put Chairman Msite Location Brought OUT
Compannts When Pressed Fail Back Figures Put Damages
AegedSesson Tonight Expected Sitting commissioners

! for the people living Immediately ad-
jacent?"
No, sir
1.-The value of 5000 per acre is be-
cause the land is under water and
can be cultivated?"
Yes, sir | think SO"
IF it is simply held to keep others
from establishing rival towns, held
as a barrier to keep frcm the set
tlement of adjacent ground. would
you put that value on it?"
mo, SIR"
Wilson Fletcher, mining man,
owner of improved lots in Ely, who
said he was somewhat familiar with
the railroad history OF the town, was
next called.
What effect have you observed, il
any, on the prosperity and growth of
the town, the values of property, and
so forth, from the fact that freight
depot has been denied to Ely put has
been built in a rival town." was the
first question put by Judge Crump.
I'm my opinion it has worked such
detriment to this town, that it has
decreased our population at least 100
per cent, in favor of Fly City"
Has it resulted in general fear on
the part of outside capital as ap-
piled to Ely?"
Undoubtedly.
tHave you examined the ground
between the passenger depot at Ely,
and the cut near the old slaughter
house lot?"
l have"
State the approximate distance
between the cut and the depot,
where side track could be con-
structed?"
81 would judge that from the cut
side track could be laid about 600
feet, and by eliminating the bank on
one side, about 1000 feet"
''Is it convenient, proper, and
safe site for a freight depot for this
town."
81 would think so, for the handling
of 1920 tons per month of freight
| would estimate that 20 per cent
of this would be for Ely City; 80
per cent for other parts of the dis
trict including the flats, and 80 per
cent of the volume for Ely"
Il would state that the 5000 tons
of freight per month is for Ely
alone,' said Judge Lindley to en-
tighten the witness and the commits
sion. "Under my direct instruction
the auditing department audited ev-
cry freight bill and segregated them,
showing that the 5000 tons referred
to was for Ely alone, and not includ-
ing freight for Ely City, the Copper
Flats and other sections"
by using the lower yards for
general yard purposes said the wit
ness, ''the Nevada Northern could
have ample room to handle 5000
tons of freight on this ground, in my
opinion"
"There would be room for all less
car lots to be put in warehouse and
properly handled?'
"Yes, sir
There would be ample room for
side tracks?"
"Yes, sir"
Are you familiar with freight
yards in other towns?'
Somewhat.
| How is this area referred to, as
compared with freight yards in other
towns of approximately the same size
as Ely?"
Il am not qualified to answer that
question technically. In some towns
of this size, the yards are even worse
than that would be-"
.'Is the grade such that freight de-
pot, side tracks and other improve
ments could be established and OPP
Grated safely and conveniently
''It could be made so with steam
shovels. The work would not be ex-
cessive. While / have never had ex-
perience in railroad construction,
would not believe that the work
would onerous."
Judge Lindley then took the wit
ness for cross examination, for the
defense.
''If the depot were on the slaugh-
ter house lot, the population of Ely
would be 5000 instead of $500
would it?"
''Yes. My general understanding
is that people coming in here have
been told that they would be crazy
to invest here, as this town would
not have a freight depot. The conse,
quence is that the possible investor
wants to invest where the business
is, and believes that the business will
be where the depot is. They fee
that the discrimination in favor Ol
Ely City, where the depot is, thai
merchants here cannot compete
against it.
; "Did any of the $500 you say die
, not locate in Ely, loca.e in the new
: town."
Il do not know"
Where did you get your figures
, 2,5O0?"
81 think if we had had a freight
depot, there is no question in m!
mind but they would have settled
, here. There is no question in m.