The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-07-01
PARKER WANTS
ROAD TO CITY

lie utilities commission and the engin-
GERS in regard to the best route for
the construction Of the missing link Of
rails to join the northern and south
ern portions of the state in a direct
railroad route, says the Lewiston Trib-
une. II will be remembered that the
utilities commission after looking over
the field, stated that there were
three feasible routes. All these have
as their southern terminus the north
end of the "Pin" road at Salmon
Meadows, and running thence down
Little Salmon to Higgins and then down
the main Salmon. One of these lines
would leave Salmon river at Slate
creek, from which point it would be
built to Grangeville. The length of
this line would be approximately 100
miles, and the cost approximately ST.
SOC. 900. The second proposed route
would continue down Salmon river to
the mouth of Rock creek, would have
an approximate length of ITO miles.
and would entail an expense Of $3.50
900. The third would continue down
Salmon river to its junction with the
Snake. and then down that stream to
Lewiston, a distance OF 172 miles, and
at a cost of $12, 800 900. The distance
anu COStS are given Dy MT. IdIhcr
The utilities commission favors the
last named, to Lewiston, and seems to
prefer the road up Rock creek instead
Of the Slate creek route, II their first
choice is to be discarded.
Mr. Parker believes the first men
toned is preferable for several sea-
sons. Perhaps the principle one is
its feasibility. 1t is something that
the state can do, and that would ac-
complish the much desired result of
closing the gap existing between north
and south Idaho. In speaking of the
proposal to build down Salmon river
below whitebird to the mouth OF Rock
creek. Mr. Parker said 1t would be ex-
cessively expensive-an additional ex-
pense not represented by any COM
pensating advantage. He had been
along Salmon river from the mouth
OF Whitebird to Rock creek, and the
construction of railroad grade along
this stretch of river would demand
what might be termed appalling work
and expense.
| From the mouth of Rock creek to
the junction of the Salmon and Snake
rivers. along the former stream, is
one of the widest sections of country
lance runs in a deep box canyon, and
though presumably a railroad can be
built anywhere, nowhere else would
the task be more difficult, the engin-
eering problems more complex nor the
cost any greater.
In speaking Of the matter of the
proposed north and south road Mr..
Parker said: "The thing that is de-
/ m nd aA 10 hat he h,ttl IA
link that would connect the north
and south parts of the state. That
gap now exists between New Mead
ows and Grangeville. They are about
100 miles apart, and 1t rests entirely
within the power of the state to close
that gap. My plan would be to use
convict labor on the grade. This
would reduce the cost very materially.
Those who have been along Salmon
river will know that there are many
miles where grade can be made with
a scraper. There are only few plac-
es where heavy rock work would be
encountered. There would be no great
engineering difficulties to be overcome.
| l am informed that the convicts them
selves have expressed hope that the
state will undertake this work, with
the thought that their lot would be
| lightened II they were permitted to
work in the open and not kept in
close confinement"
Speaking OF the railroad commits
sion, Mr.. Parker stated that he is. now
endeavoring to get into touch with
the other members of the commission,
Messrs. Day and Paddock, with a view
to the entire board in company with
Governor Alexander going over the
line on foot from Grangeville to New
Meadows and return, with the thought
In mind that it's appearance after be-
ing first seen might be different. How
ever so far he has not been able to
make any arrangements for this trip.
On this trip an effort would be made
not only to go over the route by way
OF Slate creek to Grangeviile but also
over the route proposed up Rock
creek canyon to Fem, and also the
route down the Salmon river to Snake
river and thence to Lewiston.
! Talking of the plans proposed for
the building of the railroad grade. Mr..
Parker called attention to the pro-
vision In the state constitution per-
hitting the use OF convict labor on
public work outside the penitentiary
reserve. He feels certain that just
here was intended by the makers of
the constitution. The clause in the
constitution was written and offered
by the late Thomas Claggett, was dis
cussed by the late Senator Hepburn
and had his APPROVAL, and was aimed
directly at the proposal that convicts
might be used in the future for the
digging of irrigation canals and the
construction of HIGHWAYS
''The need at present. said Mr..
Parker ''is to have a comprehensive
view of the project. a decision that
surveys and reports should be made.
Then 1t win be time enough for the
special meeting OF the legislature to
be held to provide funds for the work
of final survey and Of constructing the
grade. With the use OF convict labor
the cost would be at least partly paid
by the fact that these men now have
to be supported In idleness under con-
ditions where confinement makes them
worse men. If they were working on