The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-11-17
Monday, November II, 1918.
PRESIDENT BUsH's PROMISES.

banquet Saturday night are cheering tc
the people of Salt Lake and Utah. First
of all they are definite promises OF rap
idly increasing development in this
state. aud in the second place they re-
veal the pleasing fact that the eyes OF
great captains of industry arc on Utah
and its resources The development
pledged by the Gould system is only an
earnest of developments that are sure
10 come from other equally important
sources.
The promises made by Mr.. Bush are
as follows:
/. The construction Of the largest
shops on the entire Gould system.
q The increase of the coal produc-
tion in Utah from 100000 tons to 12,-
100000 tons annually within the next
five years.
5. The electriication Of 325 miles Of
the Denver & Rio Grande railway from
Grand Junction to Salt Lake.
The first promise indicates the i'm
portance of Salt Lake as supply point
for the western lines OF the Gould sys-
TEN. The construction of the largest
shops on the entire system will mean
the employment Of hundreds of highly
skilled workmcn, who will be among
our most desirable citizens and who
Sill add greatly 10 the volume of Salt
Lake business.
The second promise was more in the
nature Of surprise TO those who at
tended the banquet. For years it has
been known that the Utah coal fields
contained a supply sufficient to meet
the needs Of the entire country for gen
their vast stores of fuel locked up, have
waited impaticntly for the magic key
that would release these riches to the
world. Mr.. Bush has promised to fur.
nish this key. He will not open all
the doors at once aud this is not de-
sirable, but within five wears the output
Of Utah coal Will be increased from
100000 TO l2.O00,0O0 tons annually.
and this will be considered by all
Utahns a. most satisfactory progress,
The electrifcation of the Rio Graude
from Grand Junction to Salt Lake has
been under consideration by the own
ers of the road for q number of years.
The marvellous resources in fuel and
water power that exist in the western
states will make il possible TO electrifv
most Of the roads in this region and
tbgs secure the lower cost of operation.
which seems so essential, if the rail
roads and the communities they serve
are To enjoy continued prosperity.
In this connection it is we'll for the
people OF the west to consider deeply
the warning Mr.. Bush directed against
the hostile spirit which has grown up
IN many quarters against the railroads.
As he pointed out, this has impaired
the credit Of the railways and has
handicapped them in their efforts 10
Obtain money for needed branches and
extensions The railways Of the eoun.
Try are laboring under gigantic burdens.
Their prosperity means ,ne prosperity
Of the country. II they arc hurt the
prosperity of the country is diminished.
If they arc so hampcred that thev can.
not extend into territories that re.
qnire transportation facilities, these re.
gions must remain undeyelopcd until
tho railways of the country once more
enjoy good credit and receive the en-.
eouragcment and support Of the people.
Mr.. Bush declared that il the bur
deus on the railways were made much
heavier il would be necessary for the
government TO take over the owner
ship of the roads. Not many years ago
government ownership Of the railroads
Was seriously and even enthusiastically
advocated in some of the Granger
states, but of late years there has been
steady decline in sentiment of this
kind. Private ownership has produced
prosperity Of the highest ordn- and