The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-02-04
REPORT ON NORTH AND
SOUTH R. R. FILED
WITH GOVERNOR
COMMITTEE DOES NOT STATE
COST OF THE PROPOSED
ENTERPRISE NOR WHERE
MONEY is TO COME.
Extra Session of Legislature Recon-
mended-Jerome ]. Day Goes East
High Taxes Bob Up to Confound
Observation-Disclosures That Do
Not Explain are Presented.

MOT Explain are PRESENTED.
Boise, Feb. 2.-The North and South
railroad proposition has again bobbed
up serenely. 1t comes to the atten-
ton of the public in two ways-a re.
port from the special commission ap.
pointed by Governor Alexander and
an alleged proposition from a Chicago
firm to finance the road.
The commission reports that the
railway proposition is entirely feasible
and calls upon the governor to con-
vene the legislature in extra session
speedily" for the purpose of "inau,
gurating surveys, procuring rights of
way, and devising ways and means
for construction"
The cost Of the enterprise has not
been made a part of the report. just
why this important information has
been overlooked is not apparent. This
IS unfortunate because a great many
people have looked upon the proposed
North and South railroad as political
essential to the determination of the
merits of the enterprise, will not
strengthen public confidence
The cost of the construction of a
line from New Meadows to Grange
vile has variously been estimated az
from $700O,000 to $l1,000.O0O. The
cost could be shaved slightly by en-
ploying convict labor. as the commits
sion suggests, but all the convict Ia
hor available in the state of Idaho
would not go verv far towards build
ing a railroad. The expense would
have to be met by the sale of bonds
which would eventually have to be
paid by the taxpayers of the state, or
by a subsidy to some construction
company, a scheme not at all popular
md now in complete discard in older
states.
That the citizens. of Idaho want a
| North and South railroad is not to be
| dow and they also want road
to Butte and road to Winnemucca
How to finance them is the great
problem State aid means higher
taxes, the particular misfortune that
We are trying to get away from.
Return of Confidence.
! 1t is believed by many that the solu-
ton of the railway problem in Idaho
will be settled by return of conf
dence and prosperity. Capital will al,
ways be found for financing railway
propositions, in good times, when il
can be shown that there is sufficien,
business to justify the cost of con-
struction. Any sound business ven.
ture must rest upon this basis. If il
can be shown that there is profit tc
capital in building a North and South
railroad, the capital will be forthcom,
ing as soon as we have a return Of
normal conditions. The election of {
Republican president next fall will dc
more to bring about railroad building
in Idaho than any other agency tina,
could be named.
The outlook for North and Souti
railroad is by no means dark. The
Pittsburg & Gilmore line was built to
Salmon City with the intention of ex
4 tending the road on down the Salmon
to Lewiston. If this road were ex
tended as originally planned, the gal
between North and South Idaho. Sc
lar as railway connection was concern
cd, would be only p miles. 1t woul'
then be to the advantage of the Paci
ic & Idaho Northern to extend thei
line on from New Meadows to tn
Salmon and close up the gap. Thi
seems at this time to be the most like
ly solution of the North and Sout
railroad problem. The sooner con
lidence is restored the sooner capita
will be available. The election of
Republican president will restor
confidence. We must have conn
dence based upon something NOR
durable than war orders. The war wi
end sometime-what then? The ans
wer to that question is what worrie
capital and causes it to halt when sol
icited to invest in big enterprises. Th
character of the next administration
, important as regards the industris
development of the country, hence a
; to railroad construction in Idaho. an
this applies to the construction of
, North and South railroad. as well as
railroad to Winnemucca or Butte.
! Senator Jerome J. Day, a mem
, Der of the North and South Railroa
, Commission, has gone to Chicago t
! confer with some gentlemen who haV
. found capital, they allege, to constru'
the North and South railway. Every
one will wish the Senator success an
their anxiety for his success will be S
great that he should not cruelty kee
the public long in the dark as to VIII
: our benefactors are and what the
! proposition is.
/, High Taxes Haunt Democracy.
Democratic organs are publishin
long columns of figures relative to ia
: levies with a view to excuSing the
\ party for failure to keep faith wit
: the taxpayer in their pledge to redut
taxes. The tax situation haunts II
Democratic brethren and well it ma
They were going to save the taxpa.