The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1916-02-10


! Lewiston and Grangevilie, new line
J is projected, with one link thereof now
operating, 20 cover the same region
which win afford two connections II
the north. Similarly, the extension Of
the proposed railroad bed from Naw
Meadows to Mccall, elevation $3.50
feet), terminus Of the Payette Lake
branch Of the Oregon Short Line Rail
road viii also make two southern esn,
nections.
i We have ignored all reference to the
Salmon river route above higgins and
below WhitebiFd, believing that eur ef-
forts should be devoted exclusively "a
the missing link" between north and
south Idaho. There il ne question but
that the route via the Salmon and
Snake rivers is the most economic from
the standpoint Of operation, nor that Il
win eventually be built presumably BY
the Gilmore and Pittsburg, which Is
now understood 20 be the Northern
Pacific railway. But il win doubtless
be a long time before this line Is built
certainly not until the competition Of
other transeontinental lines becomes
such as 20 neeessitate the investment
Of the vast sum necessary TO give the
owner road the advantages presented
by this route. The cost Of this road
from Salmon City to Lewiston VIII
average 100000 per mile or more and
the business available ct this time OF
in the near future from the eontribut-
ing territory Is negligible, Its one adj
vantage lies in economic handling Of
through freight.
The agricultural and livestock inter
ests adjoining and contiguous 20 the
river are not alone worry Of attention
and transportation, but the many pro-
missing and rapidly developing mining
districts in the hinterland Of the gold
en- heart Of Idaho are TO be included as
q R0tabie asset to the revenues Of such
railroad lines as may be built here
after. 1he country directly tributary
to the proposed road IL endowed with
great mineral resources, and the full
recognition and exploitation Of this
source Of wealth and revenues - aimply
a matter Of transportations. The miner
Ell products Of this section have In the
past exeFted a great influence upon the
general progress Of the state, and are
destined 10 be Of still greater impor-
tanee in the future.
Water Power Available.
Ample water power, eheaply develop
ed, existing &C various points on the
line Of the proposed railroad, suggests /
tbs thought that these power sites should |
be located by the state and developed 1
sufficiently for tho installation Of
portable plants, not oaly with the aim
Of eeon0mising In the cost Of construe-
ton through the heavy work, but with
ultimate aim Of operating the road
by electricity, and furnishing hghg,
heat and power TO the various indus
tries along the line Of the road.
In view Of the general stagnation In
railroad construction existing through
out the country at this time, the state
may secure very favorable terms for
the construction Of the road bed BIZ
some Of the big contractors who have
expensive and idle equipment on tkair
hands, or such equipment can Be bought
at great bargains and used b. the Goa
Met labor In constructing the road bed.
10 requires no great largenesa Of
vision or depth Of foresight 70 gauge
he great material, economic and social
10 be brought about BY
linking the two now remoke-and 20
I0me extent, hosti1e--seetions Of the /
tate through the construction Of this I
yreat commercial highway. The 20 ,
ential Developments Of the region 70 :
% traversed By the road are very great,
md the legislature which inaugurates
his work win hand down to posterity
he most valuable asset In the posses. =
ion Of the state. G
Under existing conditions Of what Is I
eTmed hostile legislation, we cannot
xpeet private capital TO engage in new (
abroad construction, and II we are 10 a
ave q railroad line to connect the two b
'olated section Of our state, Il must \
9 built by the state. We cannot In :,
efinitely stand apart. The necessity =
1r better means Of intercourse between y
10 north and south IL admitted on ali p
ands. Wonderful as the growth OF &
10 state Of Idaho has been through sf
sderal aid in promoting irrigation IN 10
10 arid belts, yet its progress has been "
ow in proportion to the almost fabu. e.
US resources Of which the state Is pos.
ssed, in comparison with che growth
neighborin~ states less well endowed
ith natural resources. This Is chiefly
ying TO the difficulty Of access and "a
Q little that Is known Of the resources an
the Idaho hinterland. But though az
Oming 10 Importance slowly, Il Is easy thl
conceive what the future has n store be-
hen the state is linked together with M
pid transportation facilities. ~
Necessary to Development. n
The first great necessity for growth ms
d development Is railroad eommuni. sea
ton connecting the north and south. ev,
king up each with the other. ths -.
sat transeontinental railroad svs- -.
ms which traverse the state IN the y.
Fth and In the south. Our past DO W
zeal history shows repeated attempts 81
disintegrate the state of Idaho. and raj
70 is no true security for future 20
lty and stability but IN The easy and H.
Get communication with the differ. an.
sections Of the state. We must 40 no
0 that we can see and know each or
Ter, and the sections must be knit
hgatured by the ties Of material
crest apd friendship which come
IN acquaintance, association and col. q
live interests, thus forming a tripIs mn
in which the blows Of faction can ann
sever. In such q condition the feel. = Z
. Of unity and state pride form an 49,
'enetrable shield which cannot be sac
ken by Misunderstanding and e.
loements Under existing eondl.
Is, those who frame the laws Of the o
. to meet the actual condition and exa