Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-01-30

meanQer OF the rlNef, WHICH 10 oSSu-
pied as a farm, where grain. clover and
alfalfa are raised. There are also
other benches elevated so feet above
high water mark. where easy construc-
ton can be obtained. At the end of the
LYDIA ranch however. there Is about
one third of mile of what is prob
ably the heaviest rock work along the
river. probably requiring tunnel.
ca Slate creek to Whitebird, IL
miles. On this stretch are long bars
where construction Is comparatively
easy. with occasional basaltic outcrops.
We estimate that fully one-half of this
stretch can be built with, teams and
scrapers. The grade around the toe of
Horseshoe Bend will involve the most
expensive work on this gap.
From higgins to Whitebird, on both
sides of the river, covering the 81 miles
outlined above, there are numerous
ranches, orchards and hydraulic mines.
while on the table lands are many stock
farms with thousands of acres of fer
tile land, equal to the best Camas and
Nez Perez prairie lands, in actual cul-
tivation, with many other thousands of
virgin acres awaiting further develop
ment of the country to be made equally
productive.
Productive Agricultural Country.
Particular attention is invited to the
81 mile stretch between higgins and
Whitebird, because it covers the larg-
est area of productive agricultural coun-
try on both sides of the main Salmon
river from Salmon City to its mouth.
Herein lies 20 per cent of the taxable
property. and IS per cent of the popula-
ton along the entire length of that
stream. The water grade averages 10
feet per mile, and will form part of a
great transcontinental railroad when
extended east from higgins and north
from Whitebird. This portion of the
proposed road between Higgins and
Whitebird may be classed as main line
construction" The construction south
from higgins to New Meadows, and
from White Bird north to Grangevile
may be classed as branch line con-
struction" This does not imply that
they will not be thoroughly safe and
we'll built and fit for the work they
have to do, but their gradients will
naturally be heavier, their curves
sharper and their general character
cheaper than the main line eventually
to be built from Salmon City to Lew
ston on the water grades afforded by
the Salmon and Snake rivers. Until
that time comes these lines south of
Higgins and north of Whitebird will
amply serve to develop a country that
urgently needs It, and tie together the
sections which otherwise may be sund-
cred. When the main line is built they
will still do yeoman service as feeders
to the river road, and it is certain that
their construction will hasten the adj
vent Of the main line by at least q gen.
Grafton.
The cost is necessarily contingent
upon the grade it is desired to main
tain. New construction is always con-
fronted by the alternative of initial cost
against cost of operation. In the build
ing of line such as this, an informed
late or compromise policy usually
proves the most desirable. as will
slight changes of grade advantage car
be taken of the existence of the bar;
lying above the water grade, thus ma
terially reducing the cost of construc.
ton.
The entire route between New Mead
air line, being nowhere over six miles
from the north and south meridian line
The route between New Meadows ant
higgins, and also that between White
bird and Grangeville carry grades ap
proXimating all railroad connection
f north and south of the proposed road
, Along the lower attitudes of Salmon
river the climatic conditions enabl
work to be continuous through tn
winter In the summer season tn
labor can be utilized to better advant
r age on the table lands around New
, Meadows on the south and Grangevill
on the north, thus keeping the labo
constantly employed throughout TIL
! year.
, Whtebird to Camas Prairie.
;, A railroad survey was made in 100
n by Engineer L. C. Roberts for the Gil
r more q Pittsburg r. r. Co.. (Saimo
n City to Lewiston), together with a sur
S vey from Whitebird to Camas prairie
d Mr.. Roberts spent the winter /
s Grangeville, making his maps. and as
d sured many citizens of that city thu
" Whitebird wa. the only practicable out
d let from the Salmon River canyon, an
|
= grade between Whitebird and Grange
t Vile. and that this stretch of the roa
s could be built for less money than til
# cost of construction down the Saline
= river to Rocky canyon. IL miles belo
8 VIII tebird. The first eight miles out
Grangeville is practically level prairi
Your commission approximates IL
If average cost Of rock work and gradir
n a railroad bed between GrangeviIle ar
= Higgins at 100000 per mile. This doc
Vt not include bridges. culverts. ties
y steel. Engineer Van Arsdale, of Lev
= iston. who has been over the route b'
% tween Grangeville and New Meadow
? estimates thu cost of construction. il
IF Guiding bridges. culverts, ties, rails. stt
~ tions and the line ready for the rollir
l. stock, at $4,000 per mile.
Is Elevations.
From the best data obtainable, v
~ learn that the elevations at yariol