The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-11-04
Financier Leavitt and Com
mission Report ON North
and South Road.
WANTHICHWAY FIRST
Build Through Grangeville and
Prairies to Connect With
johnson Road.

The north and south railway commits
sion. composed of A. F. Parker. of
Grangeville, jerome Day of Moscow. and
E A. Paddock Of Weiser, after a care
tul personal inspection of the road
from New Meadows to Whitebird and
ON to Grangeville, made their report to
Governor Alexander the first of the
week, which presents the following i'm
portant features:
''The distance from New Meadows to
GrangeviNe is about 80 miles by the
present wagon road over which your
commission Travelled. The first 10 miles
From New Meadows to Little Salmon
fails-a railroad can be constructed at
very small cost. as there is little to
do but put down the ties and attach
the rails. From Little Salmon falls to
Riggins the road runs along the west
bank of the Little Salmon In the
neighborhood of Little Salmon falls,
some expensive rock work will be re-
quired for two or three miles; then the
valley becomes wider and railroad con-
struction will be less difficult. All the
way from Little Salmon falls to Rig
gins, there is an abundance of timber
for ties, bridges, etc. short dis
tance below Higgins the road crosses to
the east bank of the Salmon river
From Riggins to Whitebird, distance
OF 33 miles, perhaps five or six miles
of heavy rock work will be required.
The average fail OF the river from New
Meadows to Whitebird is about 10 feet
to the mile.
ut is the opinion OF your commission
that the construction OF a railroad
from New Meadows to Whitebird would
not be more expesive per mile than the
cost OF the Pacific & Idaho Northern
railroad UP through the Weiser river
valley from Weiser to New Meadows.
"In conclusion, your commission would
respectfully report that a north and
south railroad is entirely practicable as
far as the work of construction is con-
cerned and that the cost per mile will
not be excessive; that such railroad
win open for settlement large tract
of good ranch and grazing land; that
vast amounts of valuable timber will
find an outlet over the proposed rail-
road; that valuable mining properties
that cannot now be worked for want
of suitable transportation will be made
available by the proposed railroad; and
most important of all-this railroad will
open up thoroughfare between the
northern and southern portions OF the
state, which will combine the interests
OF both sections, and thus make Idaho
one great state, surpassed by none in
the union.
"In the opinion OF your commission,
this railroad can be built, must be built
and the sooner the better. In order to
hasten the building of the railroad by
making 1t possible for the peopl OF
our own and other states to become in
formed of one great scenic beauty and
mighty material possibilities of the lit
tie known Salmon river valley, we rec
mmend that as preliminary step to
the construction Of railroad, the pres
ent very difficult and dangerous state
road be at once improved so that II
can be safely and quickly traversed by
autos as well as other vehicles"
Mr.. Leavitt Says Cost VIII Not Ex'
ceed 100000.
Lewiston Tribune: Henry p. LJavitt
representative Of the eastern financia
interests that are handing the recent
bond issue OF the Lewiston, Nezperct
& Eastern Railway company Ghe John
son road), on leaving here last weeh
apparently made the trip to south Ida
no over the Salmon river country, anc
by the time he reached Boise was ablt
to talk as one with authority, in con-
nection with the country he had just
traversed. The section he went over II
that which the proposed north ant
south railroad between Lewiston ant
New Meadows would open TO transpor'
fation opportunities From the Boise
newspaper reports Of Mr. Leavitt!
statements to Governor Alexander dt Il
apparent that he found the Salmon riv'
or country a promising field for railroad
exploitation.
During his stay of several weeks
Mr. Leavitt frequently stated his con
viction in regard to the flat+ering flu
ture awaiting this city and section. ant
expressed confidence in immediate de
Veiopments In connection with trans
portation. It was during his stay IL
the city that the idea developed 81
strongly OF extending the Johnson roat
from Lewiston to Asotin, which exten
sion seems likely to be carried to com
pletion within the next year. 1t 4
doubtful whether at that time Mr.
Leavitt had fully IN mind the further