Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1913-03-18
GOOD FOR THE VALLEY.


The formal entry into Salem of th'
Salem, Falls City & Western railway
branch line Of the Southern Pacif
ic or Portland, Eugene & Eastern
which event was celebrated at Salen
on Saturday, marks distinctive ep
och In the history Of the Willamette
valley, the effect Of which will be fal
reaching and important. 1t means
the completion Of the first link in a
great transportation system the ar
teries of which will eventually pene-
trate to every important community
in the valley and assist in the devel-
opment and the upbuilding of one of
the most favored localities in the
great state of Oregon. Dallas re-
joices with her larger neighbor upon
the consummation Of dream Of
years, and in no wise do we envy the
capital city upon her good fortune
in welcoming this unit in the system
which will surely result in making
Salem one Of the most important rail
way centers in the state. We are
not so short-sighted that we cannot
see in Salem's prosperity, advance
ment for every other community in
the valley, for what benefits one To-
cality must, in the very nature of
things, extend advancement to all
contagious territory. Just as it is
admitted that the building Of great
city at Portland will affect the pros
perity Of all the state 50, in less
measure, win the growth and ad-
vancement of Salem find fulfllment
In greater business and increased
population in all the valley of which
that city is the natural center.
In common with Salem, Dallas
welcomes the coming of the new cleo
trio system which will link the cities
and towns of the valley and bring
to this great and growing community
added poulation and increased wealth
When the complete system of electrj
lines of the p +. & e. as outlined h
the promises Of the company shal
have been completed and placed in
operation, Il will mean cheap, easy
and rapid transportation for thf
people, and for the products of tn
farms and orchards; it will bring the
consumer in closer touch with th
producer and permit the latter to dis
pose Of his output at the minimum
Of cost, thereby extending his mar
ket opportunities and, at the same
time, increasing the prices which he
receives. Ample transportation ia
cilities are essential to the advance
ment of any community and the his
tory Of the results which will follow
the completion of the extensive inn
provement along this line promised
by the Portland, Eugene & Eastern,
will be the same as in other commu-
mites and other states where similar
'Ondluons exist. only rev years (
lgo, when the Oregon Electric was ,
,uilt from Portland toeSalem, it pass I
'd through a country for the most
part covered with timber, or unset
led, yet few years have wrought
! wonderful change. Numerous !;
tations have been established, small \
owns have sprung up and all along h
he line are now seen thrifty and 0
prosperous homes where the wilder il
less existed heretofore. The same T
viii be true all over the Willamette d
alley and the people are looking a
18th longing TO the coming of better q :,
facilities. !
Dallas is not disturbed over the y
utlook, nor worried lest some other h,
Ity shall experience improvement al
nd increase its population and bus tS
less activity following this railroad :
But Dallas should be-
ir herself and take advantage Of the n,
pportunities which this improvement n
cans While the enterprising cities n