The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1911-11-23

eAAac tAohAoSA VIII Ioii ouOlt VI tIc
actual number so held, it will be
seen that $100,O00.0O is
spent annually on these 1000
claims.
Ii instead of spending this
amount of money and labor upon
the claims during a period long
enough to accomplish the ends in
view, the same amount were ex-
pended upon one good, water
grade, trunk wagon road, would
not the resultant benefits be mani.
fold. Roadways leading to the
various camps could be readily
connected with such trunk road
and the beneficial effects would
be felt by all.
The retardation of annual as
sessment work on mining claims
in lieu of work done on such a
roadway would not prove as SER
ious as it is now the case of do
ing the assessment work under
conditions upon which the lack of
such a road hinges. The road
would be compensatory in many
ways other than enhancing the
value of all claims in the camps.
Those who are dependent in
measure upon the moneys earn
ed by doing annual assessment
work would find occupation on
the new roadway. The Govern
ment would not suffer, nor would
the state, county or taxpayer,
were this plan adopted and car
ried out. On the other hand it
would be the means of directing
money and labor into the proper
beneficial channel, that is now
largely being spent without any
one in particular deriving benefit
The government, state, county.
taxpayer and claim owner, all
in fact, would receive great bene-
fits were this change of condition
brought about, due to the saving
to the operators and to the in
creased business attending devel-
opments and production of the
precious metals.
Auto trucks with trailers are
today conveying their five to ten
ton loads in parts of the country
where road conditions make it
possible. What would be the re-
suits of freighting rate of from
$3.50 to $500 per ton to and from
the camps were it possible to put
this same method into effect over
a good road here? What would
it mean as compared with from
$4,000, to $4,000, per ton or high
er as is now the case. Also what
would be the results Of the pas
senger being enabled to reach the
camps in from two to five hours
as against two to three days. Add
to this comfort and enjoyment
as against an imposition on patti
ence and perseverance, and draw
conclusions.
There are some who will view
the foregoing as chimerical. Cool
deliberate judgement will correct
any such views. Such a road
way can be constructed by the
means mentioned, and should be
built with the least possible de-
lay.
The government that has aid
ed the river traffic, also irriga-
ton projects, should cast an eye
in the direction of the mining
camps wherein lay mineral wealth
that is needed by the country at
lrage, and lend helping hand.
Not by donations of money or ser
vice, however, for donations are
not needed; but by legislating an
amendment to the existing miner
al laws, so that the particular
camps of the country in need of
it shall be allowed to improve
their conditions by facilitating
traffic in the manner named.
Surprising it does require
500, 100000, yes, or 5000, 100000, OF
more to build such a roadway. If
conditions warrant and justify
the expenditure, as they surely
do in the case of Central Idaho, is
not the investment one of the
highest order; and would it not
be but simply adjusting matters
with money that can well be spar
ed for the purpose, and above all
by whom? just turn it over in
your mind. 1t would appear
very simple solution to a most
perplexing question.
There are some who would for
special reasons prefer to do their
annual assessment work on their