The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1913-05-06
WASHINGTON NEWS.

lott, president of the Northern Pacific
railroad, is not afraid of the physical
valuation of the properties of his COM
pany. He was recently in Washington
and in conversation with a friend he
expressed the belief that it would be
desirable to have an official valuation
Of the railroads. He believes that it
will clear the atmosphere greatly, that
1t will definitely prove whether or not
the railroads are receiving adequate
rates for the service they give, and he
Is disposed to think that it will result
in surprise to the public in general
by showing that the railroads have
| resources worth far more than the
| nominal capitalization on which they
| are required 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 appre-
ciated greatly in value. Perhaps the
| gain to the latter roads has been COM
| mensurate with the increase of values
of lands owned by the western roads
large as the latter has been.
Working for Development.
All of the western roads, especially
those possessing land grants, are
working consistently to build up and
develop their territory, to bring in
settlers 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 manu-
featured goods generally, all of which
must be hauled in, making revenue
for the railroad. 1t is because of their
vital interest in the upbuilding of their
territory that the railroads are taking
note of the advantages offered by the
San Diego exposition for spreading in
formation to the world about the great
west. Many thousands of persons
from the east, and from across seas
will see the San Diego exposition in
1915, and they will there learn much
that they never knew before about that
partially developed empire which is
/ n ruy iv,rr Of Ahn hrnV n
brain Of the nation for it's develop
ment
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
induce many people to travel who 9TH
own township. They offer especial in
ducements in the way of lower fares,
ingenious routes of travel and mod
crate prices for entertainment. West
ern congressman in particular feel
that the San Diego exposition will Of
fer an opportunity for advertising the
achievements and resources of the
west, which is rich region yearning
for willing hands to develop it. Pres
ident d. c. Collier of the exposition is
a 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
| independence for all. If it did moth
| ing more than to introduce some thou
sands of people to the opportunities
that are awaiting them, the San Diego
exposition would be 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 wrest-
| ling with such problems as free wool
| and free sugar. Any day it may fin
ish it's work, but there have been long
heated debates behind closed doors
between the advocates of free wool
and wool tariff, between those who
| want free sugar and the friends of a
tariff on sugar, and SO on down the
line from agate to zinc"
Blowing Off Steam.
The developments indicate how wise
Chairman Underwood was when he de-
cided to let "the boys" blow off
steam" in the caucus and voice all of
their objections and protests to vari-
GUS items in the bill before sending it
to the house. Throughout 1t all Mr..
Underwood held himself we'll in hand,
smilingly listened to the oratory on
the floor, and finally, when the time
came, marshalled his forces and calm
ly voted down all objections, item by
item, and the bill-barring perhaps
some trivial changes-stood at last
just as it did when it was presented
to the caucus for it's verdict.
Unperturbed.
Through all of the tariff talk, the
patronage fights, the reconstruction of
the governmental machinery, due to a
change in party ascendency, there has
been lack of turmoil, excitement and