The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1913-04-26
FAYORS OFFICIAL
VALUATION OF R. R.
Especial to the Silver state.)

ard Elliott, president of the Northern
Pacific railroad, is not afraid of the
physical valuation of the properties
of his company. He was recently in
Washington and in conversation with
a friend he expressed the belief that
it would be desirable to have an off
cial valuation of the railroads. He
believes that it will clear the atmos-
phere greatly, that it will definitely
prove whether or not the railroads are
receiving adequate rates for the SER
vice they give, and he is disposed to
think that it will result in a surprise
to the public in general by showing
that the railroads have resources
worth far more than the nominal
capitalization on which they are re-
quired to earn interest.
Increasing Values.
1t may be suggested that roads like
that of which Mr.. Elliott is the head,
having vast tracts of land which was
received from the government in par
tial compensation for pushing con-
struction into new and undeveloped
| territory where any road would en-
counter losses in operation for years
after it was built, are on a different
footing from eastern roads which have
no extensive land grants to grow into
big values as the country develops.
But the eastern roads have terminals
in the heart of the business section of
every city which they reach, and
these, together with their rights-of-
way, once valued at a small price,
have appreciated greatly in value. Per
haps the gain to the latter roads has
been commensurate with the increase
of values of lands owned by the west
ern roads, large as the latter has been
Working for Development.
All of the western roads, especially
those possessing land grants, are work
ing consistently to build up and de-
velop their territory, to bring in set
tiers and establish industries which
will make business for the roads. They
not only induce people to settle in
their territory, but they do a vast
amount of work to aid the farmers in
making better crops. Thus they have
more freight to haul out, and the re-
ceipt of money for this enables the
producers to buy more lumber, coal,
steel, machinery, clothing and man
ufactured goods generally, all of
which must be hauled in, making reve-
nue. for the railroad.
The West Alive.
! Members of congress are showing
much interest in the progress of the
San Diego exposition. In general,
congress feels that expositions are
valuable as public educators. They in
duce many people to travel who other
wise would not move beyond their
own township. They offer especial in
! ducements in the way of lower fares,
ingenious routes of travel and moder-
ate prices for entertainment. West
ern congressman in particular feel that
the San Diego exposition will offer an
opportunity for advertising the
achievements and resources of the
west. which is a rich region yearning
for willing hands to develop it. Pres
ident d. G. Collier of the exposition is
pioneer and empire builder himself,
and he fully appreciates the need of
more people, more money, more brains,
/ to bring out the resources of the west.
There is room for all and independ
ence for all. If it did nothing more
than to introduce some thousands of
people to the opportunities that are
awaiting them, the San Diego exposi-
tion would be a great blessing to this
country.
Marking Time.
While everything is abustle and
alive in the west-and especially at
San Diego where the exposition is
building-in Washington there has
been little but marking time. Con-
gress is busy with the tariff. That is
to say, the Democratic caucus is busy
with it. Day after day for the past
two weeks the caucus has been wres-
Ting with such problems as free wool
and free sugar. Any day it may finish
its work, but there have been long
heated debates behind closed doors be-
tween the advocates of free wool and
a wool tariff, between those who want
free sugar and the friends of tariff
on sugar, and so on down the line
+" from agate to zine.
Blowing OFF Steam.
The developments indicate how
wise Chairman Underwood was when
he decided to let "the boys" elbow
off steam in the caucus and voice all
of their objections and protests to va
rious items in the bill before sending
it to the house. Throughout it all Mr..
Underwood held himself well in hand,
smilingly listening to the oratory on
the floor, and finally, when the time
came, marshalled his forces and calm
lily voted down all objections, item by
item, and the bill-barring perhaps
some trivial changes-stood at last
just as it did when ii was presented to
the caucus for its verdict.
Unperturbed.
Thruogh all of the tariff talk, the
patronage fights, the reconstruction of
the governmental machinery, due to a
change in party aseendeney, there has
been a lack of turmoil, excitement and
uncertainty at the White house which
has pleased friends of President Will
son and possibly surprised his oppon-
ents--for enemies he seems to have
none. Whatever Democrats may think
the Republicans appear to agree that
the president is conducting himself
creditably, especially with respect to
the choice of men for public office.