Gilpin observer. (Central City, Colo.) 1897-1921, 1916-12-28
PROMINENT OPERATOR ADVISES
THAT TRAM ROAD Be RETAINED
Denver, Colo, December 2s. 1916

The Gflpfn Observer,
Central City Colorado.
Dear Sir:
The impending abandonment of the
Gilpin tramway to be followed by sale
for junk CT the track and equipment,
will be serious blow to the county.
Not merely will it entail heavy
loss to those mines which are now
operating. or hope to operate in the
future, near the lines of the tramway,
but by giving out to the world that
our mines could not even keep 1t in
operation, after capitalists had built
and equipped it for our benefit, we
shall be virtually admitting that Gill
pin county mines are a back number.
To my mind, this is by far the most
important question which now con-
fronts the people of Gilrin county,
and l fear that If nothing is done to
meet the situation, our mines will
soon become only a memory of days
when men of greater enterprise and
more foresight held the reins.
1t seems impossible to convince the
heads of the Colorado & Southern
Railway company to continue to op-
crate the tramway at a steady loss,
in hopes that a change for the bet
ter may come from some quarter that
we cannot ourselves indicate. Nor
are they to be blamed; for presum-
ably the people of Gilpin county know
best what the future of their mines
is going to be. On the other hand,
nobody in the county is able to take
over the tramway and operate it, and
its present condition offers little in
ducement for any outside capitalist to
do so.
What is to be done? In my opin-
ion, the only practicable way is for
the county to purchase the road-on
the same basis as II the proposed
sale for junk were to be consummat-
ed. The bond-holders Of the tram
way have some interest in its con-
tinued existence for many of them
are old Gilpin county people, loyal to
the district and its mines, and they
will surely give the preference to
the county, on an equivalent basis Of
price.
Ordinarily speaking, many Of us
do not approve Of public ownership
oR h,,% to cn
Of necessity. If the tramway goes,
the depreciation of value Of a large
proportion of the mines in the coun-
ty, and of most of the mills. will re-
suit In far more loss of revenue to
the county than will pay interest on
the money invested in purchase Of
the tramway.
Needless to say, shippers should
expect to pay higher freight rates. SO
long as the business continues at
such low ebb. / for one should be
only too glad to do so. With higher
rates, and with the heavy taxes cut
out, the tramway should nearly meet
its operating expenses, even as thing
are now; and some day, when Gilpin
county resumes the place in the pro-
duction column whit h its mineral re-
sources entitle 1t to hold, the road
will be once more a source Of profit.
which will relieve the property own
ers generally Of SO much taxation.
There is a great emergency to be
faced. What men in Gilpin are big
enough to come forward and meet it?
Our present commissioners might be
induced to take the necessary action,
but somebody from outside should
take the initiative, and call q public
meeting to pass a resolution calling
upon the commissioners to act, and
act promptly.
Yours truly,
GEORGE E. COLLINS.