Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-01-27

A contract may be closed in a few
days for the construction Of the north
and south railroad which for the past
year Governor Alexander has been
working on and the north and south
railroad commission authorized Great
ed ythe last legislature has been In
vestigating.
This announcement Is made on re-
ceipt of a telegram from the engineer
who last year made thorough investi-
cation of the route of the north and
south road. the prospective tonnage.
etc, who wired Governor Alexander last
night asking to have those interested in
the building of the railroad to come to
Chicago Immediately to close con-
tract financing it's construction. For
very good reasons the name of this en-
gineer, who represents large financial
interests, is withheld from publication.
The governor replied that he is unable
to make the trip personally but that he
will commission representative of the
state and the north and south commits
sion to leave for Chicago Immediately.
Either Senator Jerome J, Day of Mos
COW or Aaron Parker Of Grangeville
will be designated, probably the form
er.
Telegram Means Business.
The telegram received by the gov
ernor from the engineer who Is now at
Chicago Is as follows
Chicago, Jan. 26, 1915,
Governor Moses Alexander.
Boise, Idaho.
Can you have parties interested in
north and south project come here i'm
mediately to close contract financing
and construction and to whom repre-
sentatives of the syndicate, now here
temporarily, will submit ample evidence
of ability to carry project through. This
Is considered most unusual opportun-
ity."
To this Governor Alexander replied
as follows:
Unable to come personally. Repre-
sentative of the state and the north and
south railroad will be in Chicago as
quickly as he can get ready. which
will be promptly and will meet you on
the business referred to in your wire.
Report Is Completed.
The north and south railroad com
mission has just completed the report
of its Investigations and it will soon be
released for investigation. It is un-
derstood this report proves conclusively
that the construction Of the proposed
railroad is not only feasible but it Is
practical. The public utilities com
mission made an investigation OF the
route last year and made a similar re-
port, showing in it there were three
feasible routes for the prospective roat
all of which could be followed an6
strongly urged that the line be built.
The proposed road is to connect the
present terminal OF the Pacific &
Idaho Northern railroad at New Mead
ows with either Grangeville or Lewis
ton and possibly both, shortening the
distance by rail to the northern par
of the state many miles and giving
to Idaho direct north and south com
munication by rail which it has never
had. The route taps a very rich min
eral and stock section and opens com
munication with the little and bis
Salmon river sections.
Means Great Development.
The Gilmore & Pittsburg railroad
now constructed from Armstead, Mont
to Salmon, the county seat of Lemh
county, has made survey to Lew
iston down the main Salmon rivei
and the proposed north and soutl
railroad would cross this line and con
meet with it south of Grangeville. Il
fact, both proposed roads could us
the same rails with which to reacl
Lewiston.
When the last legislature met her
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