The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1916-02-18
RESERVATION
M|SS0ULA LINE

At ldol 1leIe has Ueen movement
lnaugurated that has all the appearance
OF success in securing the long desired
transportation for the lower Flathead
country.
The present highly prosperous con-
dition of this wonderfully productive
valley has brought the men of the re-
spective reservation towns to the real
lzation that fractional and local jeal-
ousies and interests must be submerged
and there is now marked tendency
for efficient cooperation in the securing
of the much needed railroad facilities.
The situation is unique as regards the
attitude of the trans continental rail-
roads toward this productive area. The
roads crossing the continent were,
without exception, built at time when
the available traffic was but modicum
OF that relatively high production of
the lower Flathead valley, and yet we
are told by the three trans continental
systems most interested that the pres
ent available traffic of this country in
question is of insufficient quantity to
warrant the building of short branch
line that will stimulate development
five hundred fold in five years.
From the financial standpoint of the
corporations controlling the economic
development of rich regions thickly
peopled, the above argument may be
we'll and good, but here it is different.
The traffic of this section of the coun-
try, such as it is, will eventually reach
their lines of transportation, so why go
further? This is the attitude.
But at last the people of the reser-
walton towns and country, and of their
nearest sister city. Missoula, and of
that more remote but nevertheless
potent factor, Spokane, are stirring to
action. There is already very strong
movement backed by men of means
and experience that will soon begin to
bear fruit in tangible results.
The financial returns to be secured
from a properly located line to Mis-
soula are easily observed to be un-
questionable as compared with any
other possible line. 1t is particularly
pleasing that corporation should pass
the word to the best inland city in Mon
tana that it would not build line with
in one and one-half miles of it's present
site, and thereby put a quietus on all
orl kc E..
long period of time. 1t is furthermore
fortunate that the same cor
poration should arrest development in
the best lake city in Montana by show
ing upon it's maps and laying down in
it's surveys that the probable line, if
built at all, would traverse several
miles to the east of the Niagara Falls
city of the west.
With the above facts in mind and
of the 'watchful waiting''
policy, the business and professional
men of Roman have called meeting of
the olive wires" of the reservation to
be held in Roman on Saturday evening,
February 18th, for the purpose of dis
cussng ways and means of effecting an
for active work of begin
ming surveys and securing rights-of-
way, and otherwise making available
the engineering and financial data nec-
essary to accurate estimates of cost,
Traffic and returns from the investment.
About month ago Roman parties
Interested started the ball rolling by
securing the interest of traction mag
1ate in the state of Washington, and
received from him substantial offers of
assistance. Engineer Earl d. Covell
If Roman, has discussed the matter
With financial interests and with mem
)ers of the chamber of commerce of
presenting engineering data
If Importance which tends to show the
absolute practicability of the PROPOSE
ion from an engineering standpoint.
"We Want Million" Harbert of
Poison, in his usual virile way, has
'een promulgating t he rapid organiza-
ion of resources, and the fact that
1arbert is coming to the Roman meet
ng speaks volumes for the merit of
he project. Attorney Walter Childs
# Poison, has gathered considerable
lata relative to the proposed line and
t is expected his presence at the Ro-
ian meeting will do much to present in
m intelligent manner the features to
'e solved. The business men of St.
gnatius have signifed their interest
n the matter and are ready to take
action that will give St.
gnatius it's only chance for railroad.
Attend the meeting Saturday night
nd slend your assistance to the pro-
ect if by no other means than your
resence and good will.