Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-02-06
RAILROAD MAKES
Great EFFORT TO
Open ITS TRACKS
Branch Line Towns Still
Shut Off From the Out
side World and Ask for
Relief.

That the Oregon Short Line Railway
company is making every effort to clear
its tracks of heavy SHOWS so that reg
ular train service can be resumed par
ticularly on branch lines is evident
from messages received by its general
agent for Idaho, Joel l.. Priest, of this
city, and the public utilities commits
sion last night. 1t is believed that the
Victor branch has been opened by this
time and relief given the people there.
The commission received the follow
ing telegram, signed Committee of
Business Men," from Victor:
mo service on Victor branch Ore
gon Short Line Railway company. We
are out of coal and short of other stuff.
Looks like they have abandoned this
line. We cant get any freight at Ash
ton depot Have you power to help
us?"
President Ramstedt of the commits
sion stated that it appeared from the
information from the Short Line Of
fcials the Victor branch had probably
been cleared by this time and the re-
lief asked for in the telegram given to
those living there.
Latest Report Received.
Inc IOllOWlHS lSlcSIdll vas lSSSiNSu
by Mr.. Priest late yesterday:
"Pocatello, Feb. 8, 1915.
al. L. Priest, Boise.
TRAINS moving on Idaho division ex-
cept on Idaho Northern, Hill City and
Wood River branch north of Rich
field.
Taking rotary 2010 out of Pocatello
tonight. Expect to open Wood River
branch tomorrow.
"Will then turn our efforts to Hill
City line and from there to Idaho Nor
thern. Cloudy and calm Idaho division
and branches.
Montana division cloudy and calm
canyon from HUMPHREYS to Monida,
where showing with strong wind, drift
ing some.
yellowstone branches cloudy with
strong south wind. Victor branch
cloudy with strong east wind and
showing and drifting badly.
"Mackay branch cloudy and calm.
Wedge pillow will reach Pocatello about
midnight and move same to Mackay
branch first thing in the morning.
yesterday afternoon rotary reached
mile post 10 on Victor branch about
AIS p. m. and had to return to Ash
ton account heavy wind and snow
drifting in behind rotary. Started in
again today and reached mile post IL.
Snow very heavy in cuts and rotary
not making much Roadway. viii re-
turn to Ashton and make fresh start
tomorrow morning and expect to go
through.
"W A. WHITNEY"
Regarding the railroad situation with
reference to the recent storm, w. A.
Whitney, general superintendent of the
Oregon Short Line railroad, made the
following report to the public utilities
commission:
Idaho Division.
On the Wood River, Hill City and
Idaho acknowledgements on ac-
count of snow. Rotary 2010 will be out
of the shop sometime tomorrow after
noon. AS soon as it is received from
the shop will run extra to Shoshone
and Wood River branch, opening it up
Immediately.
Utah Montana Division.
Victor, Mackay and part Of the Snake
river branch line blocked with snow.
We are running a relief train with coal
and provisions to Taber on Mackay
branch and will take wedge pillow 1900
from Victor branch, giving it to Utah
Montana division to clear Mackay
branch tomorrow. Rotary Poll now
working on Victor branch and should
open this line by tomorrow night.
Hope to be able then to open Snake
river branch line between St. Anthony
and Newdale and PLANO on Sunday or
Monday, depending on how well rotary
works.