The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1912-02-09
PRAISES SHORT LINE

ACA6 uie otti dSIiu6 Tie dIISHtiou vi
the railroad world. The east is es.
pecially interested in the great work
the Union Pacific is planning for the
development of the great west. East
ern papers are filled with comments
on what is going forward along this
line. Settlers are aroused to keen in
terest by the representations made to
them of cheap land and fine oppor-
tunities for home building.
I'm this same connection, what Is
said of the Oregon Short Line is of
special interest to the .itizens of this
state, for the reason that the Short
Line traverses the state in various d.
rections and is constantly opening up
new fields of opportunity. In re-
view of the work of the Short Line in
this state and brief outlook into the
future many things are said that
appeal with force to the resident Of
southern Idaho. In its New Year
edition the Chicago lnter-Ocean says:
Oregon Short Line
Within the borders Of southern
Idaho, including all projects complet-
ed or actually under way, lies prin-
cipality comprising 3,547,949 irrigat-
ed acres of fruitful land. BY far the
greater part of this acreage has been
brought under water within less than
10 years. And it has added $40, 000,-
900 to the taxable wealth of the
state.
The beginning was so short time
ago that the first child born on the
Twin Falls tract, the first of the
large Carey act irrigation enterpris-
es, is just now reaching school age.
Boys in their early EOS are called pi-
oneers. The wilderness of sagebrush
has been transformed into smiling
fields. Today the traveller through
the irrigated sections of southern Ida
no may see from the windows of a
Pullman car comfortable homes, great
barns bursting with grain, fragrant
with hay; he may see trees laden with
all the fruits of the temperate zone
in season; modern school buildings,
fat cattle, sheep and swine.
Road that Serves an Empire
The railroad that serves this great
new empire has kept step with the
march of development During the
last 10 years the Oregon Short Line
has constructed in Idaho 525 miles of
branch lines with which to take care
of the newly developed business.
The main line, from Granger to
Huntington, has been relaid through
out it's entire length with 90-pound
rails at AN average cost of $1,000 per
mile. Every foot of this distance has
been equipped with automatic block
signals, that afford the traveller a Sc
curity such as cannot be enjoyed on
lines that do not throw this safeguard
around their patrons. Between Nc
Cannon and Pocatello, through Port
neuf canyon, the Short Line has been
double tracked at great expense.
To the vast sums that have been
expended for heavier rails, block sig
nails, double tracking, additional side
tracks and the like, should be added
the millions lavished on right of way
betterments, ballasting, resurfacing
and Regarding. Today competent
critics are a unit in declaring that
there is no better line of railway in
the United States.
Looks After the Passengers
Nor has the Oregon Short Line con-
tented itself with bettermen calcu-
lated to take care of heavier tonnage.
The passenger is most favorably i'm
pressed with the roads stations and
grounds. The lawns are velvety, the
flowers and shrubbery grow luxuri-
antly and the ensemble forms pleas
ing picture at all seasons of the year.
An innovation in railroading, at |
least so far as western lines are con-
cerned, was undertaken by the Ore
gon Short Line last spring. This was
the sending out of a train, known as
the Get Acquainted Special" to ev-
cry station on the time where a few
jewellers are gathered together
On this train was a high official |
each of the departments.
Station agents were advised some
days in advance of the coming of the !
train. They were instructed to noti-
fly their people that the railroad men
would arrive at fixed hour to listen
to complaint or commentator, to in ,
vestigate conditions and to institute
whenever possible.
In large majority of instances
commercial clubs and similar trade
interested themselves.
Meetings of citizens were called and
ovarv Individual was invited IN Snoak