Arizona republican., 1910-03-24
SEEKS SUPPLY SOURCE
Walter Douglas of Phelps Dodge Interests, Is Look ing Over Ground With the Chief Engineer of the Road.

That the Fl PaSo and Southwestern railroad c0ntCmplatcS extending Its line from Benson via Tucson to Phoe- nix was not denied last night by Wal ter Douglas. manager of the Phelps Dodge mining interests in the south west Mir Douglas. in company with | = Campbell chief engineer of the road. made a hurried visit to Phoenix v,.,tcrday. He remained but q few holr. and then left for Prescott.
 Mir Douglas admitted that his visit To Phoenix had something to do with the proposed extension of the F. P. and < W. in fact he said that he came here to examine into the re- sources of the Salt River valley with L view of estimating the amount of business the railroad might expect if il builds to this point. He denied em- phatiCally that the road contemplated an extension Uo some point on the Pa cific coast. The terminus, at least for many years to come, will be Phoenix.
 In an interview with a representa- tive of The Republican last night MT. Douglas said:
 There has been absolutely nothing definite determined in regard to the proposed expansion of the Fl Paso and Southwestern. I am here simply to look over the ground. The building of the road will depend entirely on the amount Of business that can he ob- tained It is still question whether or not the business that could be ob- 1ained in Phoenix would justify the extension of the road.
 You have here in the Salt River v;riley a great productive agricultural district You supply hay and grain. fruit and vegetables. The Salt River valley is increasing it's productiveness yearly and iS looked upon as a source nf supply for many of the neighbnrine districts less favored by nature for the production of the necessitics of life. such a road would prove beneficial not only to this section but it would tend to reduce the cost of living in the mining districts of Douglas and Eisbcr where food stuffs are difficult tn obtain and high in price. AS for extending the line on [" the coast we have not considered any such gigantic undertaking"
 Mr. D0usias attention was called to an article in an evening paper in which the statement was mad" that h, came [" confer with Charles K. Slieh. promoter of the san Carlos res rrvoir project and A C. Siehnth his engineer The -confcrcncc" was sup posed to relate to the high line survey made around the san Carlos damsite with reference to it's uSt by the F.. r. X < W Mir Douglas laughed when he heard of it. T did meet AIr. Sligh this morning" he said. but l fear the san Carlos site K q little out "f the way for us-"
 The present line of the Fl Paso and Southwestern which is affiliated with the Rock Island. runs from Tucurn- cari. N NJ. over the Rock Island to Fl PaSO. From this point the line has been built to Benson where it connects with the southern Pacific. It taps the mining districts of Cochise county running through Douglas and up to HiSbee.
 From Benson the line could be eX- tended to Phoenix by several routes. one way would be along the San Pe- drn river through Mammoth to Win kelman; but the more probable route is through Tucson. It is possible that the new line will begin at Fairbank. some miles south Of Benson. Although the line is built between Fairbank and Benson the grades are heavy and some distance could be cut off by building across country from Fairbank to Tue son.
 Mir Douglas left last night for Pres colt. a city he has not visited for fif teen years.