The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-07-09
RAILROADS IN OKLAHOMA
JOHN w. GATES TELLS Why
THEY ARE NOT BUILDING
Constitution and Lava caured Him
to Wisharaw-Amsndment to be
initiated 10 the Voters
Of the State

OkianOmd Clty, Okla-, June z6.-
When the building OF new railroads
In Oklahoma stopped about the time
OF the constitutional convention. be-
cause Of the uncertainty Of investors
as to what the outcome Of untried leg
islatiye experiments would be, there
was great disappointment in those
portions OF the state without rail-
roads, and yet at the point OF seeing
them constructed, surveys having
been made and rights Of way nego-
tiated. Other communities that had
railroads, but needed more. were no
less disappointed.
In Oklahoma, as in all new coun-
tries, the development of natural re-
sources was made possible almost
wholly by railroads, without which
there would have been no available
markets, and without markets the
richest resources are practically with
out commercial value.
The present need OF additional rail-
roads In Oklahoma is more imperative
than ever. yet beyond small mile
age that had been contracted for prior
to statehood there has not been foot
OF new main line construction since
that tine. Unless this situation
should change, no one may safely
guess when more railroads will be
built, and IL the change should be too
long delayed. even its final coming
might encounter a weakening in the
nation's phenomenal prosperity OF
the last ten years. which would mean
that the building Of new railroads
would not be attempted under any
circumstances, whatever the local in
ducements.
One OF the most successful promot-
ers OF big financial enterprises in the
United States is John w. Gates, a
man Of great wealth. Gates came to
Oklahoma several weeks ago and mar
yelled at its undeveloped resources.
He was SO impressed with what he
saw that privately be declared his will
lingness to make heavy investments
in property and in the building Of a
branch line of the Fort Smith a West
ern railroad, Of which he is one Of the
principal owners, II 1t were found
that the much disputed constitution
and laws OF Oklahoma were not un-
friendly 10 such enterprises.
Gates suddenly and abruptly aban-
doned Oklahoma, OF which an explana-
tion may be found in the following
correspondence.
W. W. Bierce. OF Oklahoma City. is
a personal friend OF Gates. On May
20. 1909, Gates wrote this letter to
Bierce:
"Dear Mr.. Bierce:
Il enclose herewith letter received
from Mr.. Harris yesterday, together
with opinion OF his attorneys on the
laws OF the state OF Oklahoma. This
absolutely kills the project In my
mind and accounts for there having
been no new railroad building since
Oklahoma became a state. Under
these circumstances I cannot consent
to invest any money in Oklahoma r.
r. building at the present time
Il have decided to sail for Europe
not later than June 9th.
with regards to Mrs. BIerce and
asking you to return the enclosed let
ters for my files, am, yours very
truly.-John w. Gates"
Two days previous to the foregoing
Gates letter. the following letter to
Mr. Gates from John F. Harris, Of
Harris. Winthrop q Co., OF New York
City, was received:
Dear Mr.. Referring Sto the
subject OF the construction Of a rail-
road from Oklahoma to Wichita Falls
10 which have given considerable
time and thought since my return to
New York.
my railroad friends assure me
that no branch line will pay in the
state OF Oklahoma or elsewhere at
the present time; that the only profit
able railroad today is main line
railroad, railroad that has delivered
to It very large amount OF freight
from various branch roads so that its
tonnage per ton mile is very large.
Furthermore. bankers and others
with whom we have heretofore been
associated in various enterprises. are
very reluctant. indeed, In some in
stances they absolutely refuse to be-
come associated In any enterprise in
the state OF Oklahoma until its pres
ent constitution and laws are modi-
ned. They realize that Oklahoma is a
sreat state today, and that it will be
greater in the future, but its constitu-
tion and laws are such as to so Sc
riously threaten and interfere with