The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-04-22
Gov. Alexander Talks to the
North-Enders on Subject
Dear to Their Heart.
CAN STUNT Be DONE?
Road to Be Built During His
Term; May Call Special;
Parker on Commission.

While Gov. Alexander was in spo-
kane last week he got in touch with
the newspaper reporters and gave out
a very interesting. II not an easily
believable, interview on the construc-
tion of a north and south railroad and
wagon road down the Salmon river to
Grangeville and Lewiston. 1t is to be
hoped the governor means what he
says, when he talks about having the
railroad completed and running into
Grangeville before the end of his term
of office, and that he has plans ma
tured for delivering the goods. II he
could do this, he would cover a multi
tude of his sins and would win back
some of the esteem which he has lost
in the north by his unreasonable and
unreliable course In the past few
months of his administration This
promise is so strong. however, as to
almost make one suspicious that Moses
Is trying to right himself up here and
work his gentle subjects into a better
frame of mind by promising them the
very thing which he knows Hes very
near their hearts, without really be-
lieving himself that he can make good
on It. But let us give him the bene-
4 fit of the doubt and await develop
ments at least reasonable length Of
time. We are certainly pleased to see
that A. f. Parker of Grangeville Is to
head the commission to investigate the
project. His appointment with that OF
Jerome Day gives assurance that there
will be an honest effort made on the
part OF the commission, at least. The
interview att Spokane is as follows:
Announcement of his backing for the
construction of a state railroad to be
paraleled by state highway and to
run from the northern part of Idaho
to the southern part, the construction
of which may necessitate the calling
of a special session OF the Idaho state
legislature. was made here today by
Governor M. Alexander of Idaho.
Governor Alexander announced that
his plans for the railroad and highway
were so far advanced in his own mind
that his northern trip at this time
will culminate in his organizing COM
mission to Investigate a route thorough
ly.
He announced that Aaron Parker of
Grangeville and State Senator j. ]. Day
OF Latah county will be on the commits
sion. He will confer with a prominent
engineer, he stated, within few days
and will then announce the name Of a
4
! The commission viii be called upon
to report the feasibility of various
routes leading from the end of the o.
? w. X. & N line at Payette lake or
' from Pine, either to Lewiston or to
I Grangevile. After hearing the report
: of the commission Governor Alexander
announced If private interests cannot
be induced to take up the proposition
he will call a special session of the
Idaho legislature to pass the required
legislation.
Before winter l am determined to
have work started on the construction
t OF a railroad connecting the northern
T and southern parts of the state, either
a by private intreests or under state
: control" said the governor. ''The ad-
t ministration of new state like Idaho
d Is a business and should not be in
: any way mixed up with politics. The
= opening of the vast stock and fruit re-
+ sources of a great part of the state
a is business that win do more to
e promote the welfare of Idaho than
e any one other thing 1 can do.
n "There rs enough water power going
to waste in this section to furnish all
of the power needed in Idaho. eastern
Washington and Montana My COM
h mission will work first on the feasibil-
t, ity of constructing the railroad to be
l. operated by electricity, but If this rs
l. not feasible, then a steam road Will
IN be constructed. 1t Is almost as I'M
le portant to construct a great highway
er from the north to the south, and this
ID will be done at the time the railroad
to Is built
& Il have no doubt but that IL | cal
re a special session of the state legisla-
a ture any measures for the building ot
the railroad and highway will be pass
ed by it.
81 will predict that before my tern
ny in office is concluded 1t will be possi
er BILE to leave Boise after breakfast
s, the morning and eat supper at Grange
s.. Vile, a feat never yet accomplished"