Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1915-08-05
GOVERNOR ALEXANDER AND COM
MISSION ENCOURAGED BY TRIP

in the south, there has existed desire
that there might be time when the
central part of the state should have an
artery OF connecting highway that
would be pissible to travel at all times
and under all circumstances to those
desiring to make the journey. Rail
roads have been built almost every.
where in this state, still today, in 1915,
there is yet piece of territory in the
state that is as little known to the
ordinary citizen as if it lay in some
foreign land. From Meadows, Idaho,
to Grangeville and Lewiston, is the
area to which l refer. From Meadows
to Grangeville is only 100 miles-the
place and location for such highway
or railroad was made by nature millions
OF years ago-it is the Little Salmon
from Meadows and the Big Salmon
from Higgins to White Bird. There is
only one way, and this is the way that
any road can possibly be built within
the boundaries of the state, so the loca-
tion of said railroad to these points is
not open for discussion. From Mead
ows, Idaho there is already a railroad
running south to Weiser, Idaho, called
the 2. & /. N. r. IL miles east of
Meadows at Lake Port on the shores
of Lake Payette there is the Oregon
Short line railroad running south from
/ tbarp Tn M OF
In order to make myself personally
acquainted with the conditions of the
country, its possibilities, the urgent
necessity of such a road, / accompani-
ed the commission from Meadows to
Grangeville. In our party there were
the state engineer, who is an expert on |
railroad construction, Senator McBeth |
and Mr.. Heiderlein from Resort, and |
from our general conversation along
our travels, | am led to believe that |
the railroad commission feels as | do |
that nothing could occur that would be
of such lasting benefit, uniting the peo-
pie throughout the state, wiping out for
ever geological distinctions, such as
north, south, east and west, as this pro-
posed railroad. 1t will be our aim and
object to cooperate with every commu-
nifty throughout the state in order to
get the proper interest that the work |
may be carried forward, commenced and
finished as soon as it possibly can be
done, taking into consideration all the
obstacles to be overcome in the building
of this highway of steel
The location and necessity are not
open for discussion. Those who doubt
1t need only travel as l have and they
can see as | have seen and become con-
vlneed as | have become convinced 1t
now requires further investigation Of
the route to see which is the best way
to construct it, what grades can be had,
what tunnels will have to be built, and
then enlist capital enought to build it.
Expenses Not Paid by State.
This commission and our party start
ed out not for the purpose of gain or
glory but from pure act of patriotism.
Neither the state of Idsho nor any or
ganization or municipality or county
Is contributing one cent to the expenses
thereto. Honorable jerome Day of
Latah county and Mr.. Parker of
Grangeville are furnishing the automo-
biles. Eech and every one paws his
own way because each one believes that
whatever is accomplished with what he
is able to contribute is what every citi.
zen owes the state in which he lives
and is his duty; and he is repaid by the
satisfaction of the act. Every step in
the construction from now on will be
done upon the same lines. There will
be no donations asked for or contribu-
tions accepted. All the commission will
ask is cooperation and the good will of
every man, woman and child within the
state, especially along the proposed rail
road, in order to give it the encourage
ment and approval of public opinion,
which is more or less a strong asset in
every enterprise, and especially of a ,
public utility of the present day. l am
asking of the people of Grangeville, of
Idaho county, and especially those
along the proposed route, to do the
same thing. | have no doubt but that
every man and woman in this county is
in favor of the proposed railroad, and
heartily so, but more is desired. What
is needed is public expression that
not alone the commission may know of
it but every one through the state, and
the good word may travel and be ,
carried outside the confines of the
confines of the state away back east to
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