Arizona republican., 1908-04-01
MARicOPA & PHOENIX RAILROAD
 The West Coast Route.


 
 The first railroad to be built in to PhoeniX was the Maricopa and Phoe- nix. phich connected Phoenix with the Southern Pacific. at MaricOpa. S5 miles away. The original incorporators and constructors of the line were MT. Mas ten and his associates. Five years ago this road passed to the control of Col. Epes Randolph. and under his man. agement, the physical condition of the property has been greatly improved.
 Heavy rail has been laid and two steel bridges have taken the place of the wooden structures arcross the Salt and Gila rivers. About one year ago, Col. Randolph secured control of the Phoenix and Eastern and thus both of these properties became a part of the great West Coast system, which is in operation as far south fin Mexico as San Bias, and the construction of which to Gauadala-Jara on the Pacific coast is being pushed as fast as money derful commentary on conditions in
 
 expected in the way of railway exten- sions., all work was stopped. while in Mexico construction work. is being pushed night and day Can il be pos Sfible that the railroad builder is con- sidered less Undesirable" in Mexico than he is in America? About one year ago a survey was made to extend the Phoenix & Eastern through Buck eye and Arlington valleys to a con nection with the Southern Pacific near Yuma. A franchise was granted by the city council of Phoenix permitting this line to cross certain streets It had also been determined 10 extend the road eastward from Winkelman through the Box Canyon to San Carlos on the Gila Valley line. Had it not been for the war that has been waged from the White House against rail- roads and railroad builders. discredit ing them to such a degree as 10 des- troy confidence in railway investments this work would now be under way and We of Arizona would be enjoying an era Of railroad construction just as they are in Mexico, where railroad builders are given the glad hand in- stead of being classified as undesirable citizens. No community on earth has ever built itself lip by tearing down the characters cf the men who are the very spirit of the great American in- itiative, the railroad builder. It is easy to stand around on the corners and denounce and run down the other mans property. It is also easy to get up an organization. the object of which is to tell the other fellow how he should conduct his business and what prices he should charge; but every member of these organizations would kick like a wild steer, if anybody should try to conduct their business. We want to develop this valley and the only way it can be done is by hay ing the hearty cooperation of the rail- roads and for this cooperation to be effective, the men who build railroads must have some assurance that they will be allowed to conduct the property which their organizing ability has created.
 The building of the Phoenix & East ern to San Carlos would have opened all of the the Globe territory to Phoenix The extension west would have been of inestmable value. and all of these extensions will be made when this Spasm of reform has pass ed as it will pass when the people of America have another chance to speak as they did :n 1896.
 The West Coast Route of which the Phoenix and Maricopa is an integral part, means much to the Salt River valley IL opens up d new territory to the south of us that will be a splendid market for our surplus agricultural products There is now nearly 1000 miles of this system in operation and when work now under construction Gin Mexico) is completed. there will be over 2000 miles in the system and it will put us in touch with the coast. at q point several hundred miles nearer the Panama canal than We are at present.
 The road has met every obligation to the public and form the highest to the lowest officer the organization is doing all it can to boost Phoenix and the Salt River valley. Let us meet them half way and let them run their own business, anyhow, until it gets on a paying basis. The general offices of the company are at Tucson and the general officers are: Epes Randolp. President; E. A. Mcfarland, Chief M. O. Bicknell. General Freight and Passenger Agent; J. C. Mcclure, Engineer NJ. of w; M. G. Sherlock, Auditor; Chas. E. Walker, and Treasurer. Located at is c. M. Scott. Superintendent and L. H. Landis. General Agent