Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1912-05-09
interesting situation Developing in
which IL Involved Idaho Northern
and "Pin.''
FOR NORTH and SOUTH LINE
-Uncle Jim Hill Has the Best
Of It 30 Far

The following special from the Ore
.gonian reveals an interesting situa-
tion in the railroad war now being
waged in this section of Idaho.
The rivalry between the Hartman
and Hill interests has developed an in
terest;ng railroad situation in western
Idaho, causing the construction of two
costly extensions in the building of the
Idaho Northern, the Hartman line
form Emmct to the Payette Laass, and
the rushing of the Pacific & Idaho in
the central part of the state with the
idea of making it the north and south
road of Idaho. Hundreds of thousands
of dollars are being spent in construc
tion work alone.
Ths fact that the two roads are par
alel and both building in the same
direction is taken to indicate here that
the owners who represent the two great
railroad systems of the west have deep
er plans than appear on the surface.
The Idaho Northern is what is
konwn rs the Dewey road. 1t was sold
recently to the Oregon Short Line of
the Hartman system. The fact has
just come to light here that the price
paid for this road by the Short Line
was $2,OO0,OOO,O00, an excellent price
in view of the fact that it was only
built from Nampa as far as Emmett
and south as far as Murphy, the en-
tire distance being less than one hun
dred miles. A year ago, when the deal
was closed and the Hartman system
came into control, contracts were let
for the extension Of the road north a
distance of 100 miles to the Payette
Lakes. Since then the Utah Construc-
ton company, which handled the con-
tracts has had nearly 1000 men at
work on the extension.
Extension Proves Costly
1t is know in railroad circles here
that it is costing the Hartman system
between $5,000,OO0 and $1O,0O0,0O0 to
build the extension, or over $4,000
mile, due to the fact that the sur
vey takes the line into and through the
steep Payette River canyon, where
there is magnificent scenery, but little
tonnage, aside from timber, in sight.
1t has been a busy year for the Short
Line, SO far as this extension is con
cerned. The recent action taken in
letting the final contract to Payette
Lakes proves the fact the Hartman
system is anxious to have the new line
installed and has something else in
view besides q terminal at the lakes
This object is to push on north and
beat the Hill system to the north and
south road, declare railroad men here
who are known to be close to high of
ficials of the Short line, and are taking
an active interest in the race for con
troll
The Pacific & Idaho Northern, the
Hill road, is apparently just as deter
mined to reach the north. This roaC
now operates from Weiser nortl
through Midvale, Cambridge, Council
frmtvale, Tamarack to New Meadows
the latter town having beenn installed
nearly as far north as the Payett,
Lakes. The gap between the New
Meadows terminal Of the Pacific 1
Idaho Northern and the northern par
made with north railroad, is les
than 10 miles, but the country is ont
OF the most battling for railroad con
struction.
Evidence Of Fight Seen
Evidence of the purpose of the Pa
eific and Idaho Northern, or the Phi
road, to keep ahead of its rival, tn
Idaho Northern and Hartman line, i
SHOWN by the recent placing of a.
order with eastern railroad manufac
turers by President Heigho for add
tional rolling stock, including new an
modern type Of locomotives for heav
work, with four pair Of forty-eigh
men driving wheels and weighing 272
ooo pounds each.
The Hill road figures it win hav
ome to proceed with the sraighenin
oat OF this present line between Weise
with its northern extension work q
oetore the Hartman road, the Idah
Nortnern, can possibly build its Q,
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