The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-11-20
News Snapshots
Of the Week
COMMITTEE TAKES UP
ELECTRIHCATION OF
WILDER ROAD

Committees from Wilder and Cald-
well commercial clubs met Monday
evening and perfected plans for hold
ing public meeting of citizens of this
section interested in the electrifica-
tion of the Wilder branch of the Ore
gon Short Line, at Wilder Friday ev-
ening.
The committee members thoroughly
discussed the feasibility of the pro-
posed change and were a unit in de-
claring that, with proper support from
the citizens directly interested, the
plan could be successfully consum-
mated. To acquaint the residents of
the territory affected with the details
OF the plan, the meeting at Wilder was
scheduled
The matter of electrifying the
branch was first preached at recent
meeting of the local Commercial club,
and committee of three. H. Low
ell, |. S. Binford and B. M. Holt-was
appointed, with the power to act for
the organization. That the develop
ment of the territory tributary to the
Wilder branch has been seriously
handicapped because of the lack of
adequate transportation facilities has
long sbeen keenly realized by represen-
tative citizens Of Caldwell and terri
tory served BY the branch, resulting in
the present concerted action to allie
viate existing conditions.
The Oregon Short Line has signi-
fled its willingness to lease the prop
erty for a long term of years to the
Caldwell Traction company, and it is
said that the latter company will take
over the property and electrify it, pro-
viding arrangements for floating a
bond issue of one-half the total con-
struction cost can be perfected To
accomplish this several plans have
been discussed, and it is probable that
definite one will be adopted at the
Wilder melting.
Booms Land Values.
In speaking of the proposed change
and of the benefits to be derived by
the tributary territory, B. M. Holt, a
member of the committee, said
In my opinion the identification of
the Wilder branch is matter of the
utmost importance to the people resid-
ing along the line of the road and to
the business interests of Caldwell The
mere announcement that construction
work is to be started gave a de-
cided impetus to land values, and
when placed in operation the benefits
to the farmer will be numerous.
THAT an electric line is an immedi-
ate developer of territory is strikingly
evidenced at home. To illustrate: The
Caldwell Traction company operates
at present l. miles of electric railway
and the o. S. L. II miles of steam
railway.
Both lines tap d portion of the
Boise project with soil and irrigation
conditions identically the same, Dur
ing the present year, | am told, the
electric line hauled into Caldwell lis
cars of produce and livestock, while
the steam line brought in but Is car
| loads.
IAN electric line also aids the farm
err materially in other ways; 1t gives
him quick and cheap transportation tc
market for his perishable produce, as.
surfing him top prices; and it places
practically at his doom the amusement
and educational facilities of city.
THE committees representing tht
different organizations have gone ovel
the matter in detail and are convinced
that a practical plan can be formulate
ed. The total cost of making th'
change, erecting substations and build
ing Contemplated extensions will aP
proximate one hundred thousand dol
lars. OF this amount bond issue o
fifty thousand dollars must be floateC
the Caldwell Traction company agree
ing to furnish the remainder. Thu
bond issue will draw fair rate of in
terest and will be redeemable in Is O
80 years. The traction company als'
guarantees to have the line in opera
ton within six months after the bont
issue has been subscribed.
Tentative plans for floating TIL
bond isue were discussed by the com
mittee members Monday evening, Blu
no definite action was taken and it /
probable that this will be one of tn