The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1913-02-14
gem DISTRICT GETS
The H0MEDALE
BRIDGE
Bill Passes House by Vote of
40 to IL After q
Hard Fight.
NOW UP TO SENATE
Second Bridge Being Urged-State
Makes Money by Investing in Two
Bridges-Gem District Settlers on
Verge of Long-Fought-for Prosper
ity-State Land Increases in Value.

The Gem District had long, dis
couraging fight, but are now within
sight of success. Wednesday the
house passed the bill appropriating
$4,000 for the construction of a
bridge across the Snake river and 1t
is probable that the senate will
pursue a like course of action.
Although the representatives OF
the county were opposed to the pas
sage of this measure, the determined
fight put up by the settlers, armed
as they were with facts and figures
that could not we'll be contraverted.
won the day.
Pledged to economy, the legisla-
ture occasionally remembers, and IN
bills of this character 1t requires the
endorsement of the state land board.
In October the state offered 1000
acres of its holdings in the Gem
District for sale. But two 4O-acre
tracts were disposed Of; most of the
prospective buyers refusing to bulge
when the found it would be neces-
sary to ferry in order to reach Cald-
we'll. The land board was convinced
that bridge across the Snake would
increase the chances for the sale OF
their lands, and that at higher
figure. Believing this, the board
gave the bill it's endorsement with
the result that the bill passed the
house on a vote of 40 to IL.
The Second Bridge.
Closely coupled with the PROPOSE
ton of the Homedale bridge Is that
of another somewhat farther down.
Should this be passed by the legis-
lature, the Gem District will have the
advantage of an electric line, as the
nv /.
ready carried its line grade to the
edge of the river. The line will
cross the river at point below the
Henderson ferry and go through
the heart of the Gem District, and
then probably over the Homedale
bridge back to Caldwell. This In
the opinion of all concerned will in
crease the value of the state lands
!. at least twice the amount expended,
! and make the lands easy to dis
! pose Of It is almost a physical Inn
possibility for the Sebree line to
cross the Snake at Homedale unless
, it lose the grading work already
finished. Even then 1t would be
difficult.
A bill covering this matter is
ready for the legislature and In all
probability will receive attention In
, the next few days.
i Up to the County Commissioners
The county commissioners, al
though they have rejected the prop
5 osition as presented, may take fur
!. Their action regarding the two
bridges. II the Homedale PROPOSE
!, ton gets through the senate tn
: commissioners will likely grant tn
$4,000 or 5000 necessary to build
} The Gem District.
Y The Gem District comprises abou
K 30. 900 acres of as fine land as ma
6 be found in this section. The set
tiers have gone steadily along wit
> their work In the face of great dill
I, ficulties and are richly entitled t
: the great prosperity which face
n them at the present time. Waite
l. will be turned upon the land mex
a year and another rich irrigated SCI
'e ton be added to the lands tributar
" n Ca1dwol1