The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1915-08-05
governor and PARTY
ON INSPECTION TOUR.
Travel To North By Auto Over Pro-
posed Rail Route. Finds
Plan Practical.

Governor Alexander arrived in
the city last evening from the prairie
country by automobile, after spend
ing a week in investigating the north
and south railroad project, said Sun
days Lewiston Tribune. Governor
Alexander is much pleased with the
project ard is especially gratif-d
4 with the intense interest shown by
tn. people in the country tributary
TO the propos d line. Since starting
north on the trip of inspec ion he
has visited Sweet, DIN, Brownlee,
Mccall, New Meadows, higgins,
Pollock. Lucils, Whitebird, Grange
vile, Fem, Cottonwood, Ferdinand,
Winchester, lilo, Vollmer, Nezperce,
Reubens, Culdesac, Lapwai, Sweet
water and other points, and at
number of places held meetings and
discussed the north and south road
with the citizens.
He stated last evening that he will
60 east the latter part of August to
present the railroad project to east
ern capitalists and he feels the plan
will receive favorable consideration.
"The route from New Meadows
to Whitebird is definite and easible"
said Governor Alexander. "There
are two points where engineering
problems will be encountered, but l
have no doubt but that these can be
easily handled. From Whitebird
I this way, is uncertain. The route
down the Salmon and Snake river to
Lewiston will be investigated, as
we'll as the routes to the prairie.
"The party used three automobiles
in making the trip and l believe the
road from New Meadows to White
bird is the roughest and most dan
gerous in the entire country. 1t is
not even a good wagon road and l
believe the state should get busy in
making this highway suitable for
auto and wagon travel. l am in
favor of the state assisting in the
construction of highways, but do not
believe the state money should be
Invested in railroads. State owner
ship of interest in railroads is too
FAR ahead for us.
q 1.-The trip has allowed the men,
bers of the commission and myself
to familiarize ourselves with the
country and the character of con-
struction to be encountered in the
building of the north and south road.
We will be able to present this
matter intelligently and l believe we
have good chances in interesting
capital in the project. Remember,
however, that the commission has
promised nothing. The members of
the commission and myself have paid
our own expenses on this trip SO that
1t has not cost the people of the
state of Idaho cent. 1t will not
cost the state cent for the presenta-
tion of the project to eastern capital
lists and we hope to meet with sue
cess in our efforts.
"The first thing to be taken up,
showever, is the construction of
north and south highway. This
will be needed if the railroad is built !
and will be needed if it is not con-
|structed. Convict labor should be
used in the construction of this road
land this will be one of the matters
taken up upon my return to Boise.
Under the new law, the highway
|commission can secure convicts to
labor on the highways by making
application to the prison board.
"We found the keenest interest at
all points visited on the trip north
and this is a matter of much salts
faction. We need this favorable
sentiment to carry out our plans and
do not believe there is section in
the state that does not favor the north
and south railroad construction. =