The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-02-11
Gov. Alexander Pronounced
In Advocacy of Road to
Unite State Divisions.
FAVORS STATE BONUS
Would Contribute Tenth of His
Own Holdings to Insure
Prompt Construction.

Boise, Feb. 9.-"One of the great in
dustrial problems of Idaho Is the con-
struction of a north and south rail-
road" said Governor Alexander today.
land l am heartily in accord with all
efforts to bring it about. Our state
never will be all that it should be,
will never be but a commonwealth of
divided interests, will never know it
self as it should, until easy communica-
tions between the two parts bring the
people together.
"If 1t is necessary to give a bonus
of half a million dollars to secure such
a railroad 1 think the people can well
afford to subscribe such an amount.
And such a subscription offered to the
Oregon Short Line or other railroad in
terests, l believe, would be enough
of an inducement to bring about the
construction of the line. To do this /
will willingly give $1,000, or even $4,000.
Or If a bonus of 100000 is raised
will subscribe 10 per cent of the as
sessed valuation of all my Idaho prop
erty, including not only my store in
Boise but my stores in Weiser On
tario and Caldwell, the subscription to
be paid If the road is completed any
time in my lifetime.
"Our state legislature seems fully
alive to the Importance of this matter
as is shown by the passage of the Nc
Gowan resolution authorizing the ap-
pointment of a commission. l can get
able men to serve without remunera-
tion, If their actual expenses are paid.
Fifteen hundred dollars is ample for
that.
North Idaho perhaps is most direct
ly interested, although it is a matter
of vast Importance to the entire state
so 1 have thought of naming two men
! from the north and two from the south
and as it is a question that is not par
tisan and must not be made partisan
am considering the advisability oi
naming at least one Republican ON the
commission, although the resolution
does not require that. 1 shall ask the
commercial clubs of the northern par
of the state to make recommendation
suggesting the names of suitable per.
sons regardless Of party affiliations.
"Concerning the possibility of inter.
esting the Oregon Short Line in this
construction l can say l have talked
with officials of this road and l fee
that the management of this road, wht
recognize the duties of said corpora
tion to the state of Idaho, are i'm
/ bued with strong ideas affecting th'
welfare of the state and If the Off
cials of the Oregon Short Line cal
see their way clear to present this mat
| ter to their executive committee IL
New York, as they no doubt will, th'
question of a north and south railroa,
will be nearer an accomplished fac
than most people now believe.
81 have no authority to speak 70
! the Oregon Short Line, but in inter
views l have had with Mr.. Calvin, h
is thoroughly alive to the situation ant
] Is the right man in the right place.
while / speak of the Orgon Shor
Line, it is merely because this is TIL
road now operating in southern Idaho
The same cooperation is also solicite
from the Northern Pacific, Great North
ern, Milwaukee, or other roads, or fror
any independent operators. The OBJ
ject is to get a north and south road
And if the commission can develop
plan which will bring this result an
it Is necessary to have legislative co
operation, l will willingly convene tn