The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-03-17
TUNNEL PROJECT
RECEIVES FAVOR
Bill for appointment of Special
Commission on Plan Passes
Senate.
PURPOSE TO INVESTIGATE
BIG BORE THROUGH ROCKIES
Measure Will Be Before House
Today and Is Expected
to Pass.

Indicative of the promptuess and en-
thusiasm which Salt Lakers and Utahns
are responding to the request made by
former Senator Frank j. Cannon Of
Utah, now managing editor of the
Rocky Mountain News of Denver, urg-
ing the cooperation of the two sister
states in the project of undertaking the
construction of a tunnel through the
Continental divide, with the object In
view OF afiording opportunity for the
construction Of Denver and Salt Lake
short line railroad senate bill No. 279
yesterday passed the upper house of
the Utah Legislature with only three
dissenting votes.
This bill, which will receive the con-
sideration of the house of representa-
tives today, is by Senator Benner y.
Smith and is in full as follows:
Text of the Bill.
Section L. Whereas. the construction
between Denver, Colo, and salt Lake
City. Utah, OF the Denver and Salt Lake
Short Line railroad and Main Range tun-
mel Is contemplated;
And whereas. the legislature of the
state of Colorado is taking steps for the
gate the feasibility OF the proposed plans
for the construction OF said railroad and
tunnel:
And whereas the construction OF said
railroad and tunnel would be for the great
benefit OF the state OF Utah.
Now therefore. there is hereby created
a special commission 10 be known as the
Denver and salt Lake Short Line Rail-
road commission TO consist OF the COVER
nor. the president OF the senate and the
speaker of the house of representatives.
Said commission is authorized 10 investi-
gate the feasibility OF the proposed Den
yer and Salt Lake Short Line railroad
and main range tunnel and 10 report its
| findings TO the tenth legislative session OF
| the legislature OF the state of Utahs and
| there is hereby appropriated. out of any
moneys in the state treasury not other
| wise apDropria ted. the sum OF one thou
| sand dollars. or so much thereof as may
he necessary for the necessary expenses
Section >. This act shall take effect
| upon approval.
House Will Likely Concur.
If the house Of representatives fol
| lows the action of the senate, as is not
doubted and Governor Spry, who has
expressed both his deep interest and
his desire to see the project success
| fully carried forward if feasible, ap-
! proves this measure the results will be
| tangible Mt reasonably early date,
Former Senator Cannon in his Off
cial position took the initiative and is
! speaking for a large number of repre-
! sentative Cooradoans in asking the
| co operation and assistance of Utahns
in this great work Now virtually as
sured of this. there is no reason why
| interest of the citizens of both states
in the enterprise should not be daily
augmented.
The project of driving a great tun-
ncl through the Continental divide in
order to afford opportunity for tho
construction of the most direct line of
railroad possible between Denver and
Salt Lake City, while stupendous in
! its magnitude, is yet regarded feas-
| ibe by those who have examined the
problem in a cursory manner, and it is
with the purpose and intent of secur-
ing the opinions and data that could
be furnished by the most expert engl-
necrs and scientists that the appoint
ment of joint commission from the
two states is sought.
Railroad Significance.
While the Moffat road. now under
construction toward Salt Lake, would
naturally be the first to profit by this
enterprise, IL is not the intention of
the projectors 10 con6ne the tunnel TO
one road alone. but to construct it on
/ such scale that other roads may later
| have this means of passing through,
instead of going over the great divide.
No man familiar with the virtually
ineXhaustible mineral and agricultural
resources of both states but is willing
to aver that a saving of time In join
| ing the cities Of Denver and Salt Lake
| would ultimately, regardless Of the in
Itial expense, prove profitable to. those
who have the daring and genius to
carry the great project to successful
termination
The Utah commission, as indicated
| by the bill would be composed of
| Governor William Spry. Henry Gard
ner, president of the senate, and E. w.
! pcL;uoon onoakar of the houSe