The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1916-03-07
THE NORTH AND
SOUTH RAILROAD
Senator Day Returns From Chicago
Where He Went to Interview Capt.
talists on Proposition.

Actual construction of the north and
south railroad is becoming nearer
possibility every day This is clearly
indicated by an interview with Cover
nor Alexander, following the return
of State Senator Jerome j. Day from
Chicago where he held a satisfactory
conference with financiers interested
in the road building. Handicapped by
| the last legislature in failing to make
an appropriation for the north and
South railroad commission to perform
its work, Senator Day, chairman OF
the commission, has been forced to
meet most of the expenses out OF his
own pocket. Governor Alexander has
rendered what assistance he could fin
ancially. 1t is pointed out by the
governor that while the result of the
conference at Chicago is favorable the
action of a partisan press which has
displayed venom and sarcasm has not
done the project any good and may
seriously handicap it unless it ceases.
When interviewed regarding the
prospects of the north and south road
and the outcome of the conference
Senator Day had with financiers in
Chicago. Governor Alexander said
THE north and south railroad seems
to be a very lively baby. Senator Day
has just returned from Chicago. where
he had a conference with big finan-
cial interests and his report Is very
gratifying. He met people with whom
l have had conference in person, by
letter and by telegram for the past
several months, and Senator Day re-
ports that the parties seem to be in
earnest and have the money and back
ing to undertake the enterprise, fin
ance it and complete it,
"The tendency seems from the con-
ference that there is bigger project
in view than. simply connecting the
north and south ends of Idaho The
parties themselves have been pretty
we'll over Idaho and Senator Day re-
ports that they know all the ms and
outs in a surprising degree of every
town and its capabilities, and know of
every man of influence and import
ance in the state Of Idaho as well as
in every western state and they are
thoroughly alive to the importance of
the issue presented to them
They asked Mr.. Day very many
questions, especially as to the politi
cal feeling in Idaho relative to public
ownership of railroads in order that
their investment would be safeguard
ed, all of which Mr.. Day answered
very satisfactorily
There has been a conference ar
ranged within the next 80 or 40 days
when the north and south commits
sion and the governor will meet the
interested parties at a point and date
which is not open for publication as
yet
"The expense of the trip, which has
been many hundreds of dollars, was
agreed to be borne by Senator Day
and the governor, but Mr.. Day would
not accept any money from the gov
ernor per such agreement, claiming
that he felt 1t a public duty and a
benefit to the state to further this
project and he preferred to pay all his
expenses out of his own exchequer
and he certainly is to be commended
and praised for his public spiritedness
and generosity.
You ask why such secrecy about
our movements on this project.
! Il am sorry to say the reason for
secrecy is that the political press of
the state feel such strong resentment
at what l have done at my own eX
pense and the expense of Senator Day
that they would prefer to neutralize my
efforts and have no road rather than
have my office and the commission
| appointed appear to receive any hon
or or glory for performing this simple
public service for the state of Idaho
that will be of lasting benefit to the
inhabitants yet to come If the peo-
pie l am dealing with would come in
contact with the sarcasm and venom
displayed by the political press over
great enterprise of the highest i'm
portance to the state they might mis-
interpret the true feelings of the peo-
pie of the state of Idaho on this en-
terprise. All OF which would not be
true, as the people of Idaho want this
north and south road built, the sooner
the better The people as a whole
are in favor of it and the politicians
and political press are in favor Of it,
but are opposed to the present COVER
nor to father 1t.
: THE railroad will go on just the
same and whatever l can do will be
done.
1.-THE University of Idaho has asked
the public utilities commission about
plats and profiles of same, and l have
requested Mr.. Ramstedt to communi-
cate with the university and very
!
can assist the emit rprise by furnish
ing data gratis to have them do so.
81 will probably send the state en-
gineer over the line this spring to
get us more information on the mat
ter and | have no doubt Senator Day
will join with me in furnishing the
money to do it with.
81 know the people want the north
and south railroad and | am also cog
infant of the fact that they ought to
be made acquainted with what l am
doing. and l regret that this Is as far
as l can go now. They will have to
trust to the integrity of Senator Day,
Hon. A. f. Parker DR.. Paddock and
myself to carry the work forward to
the best of our ability.
Appropriation? No, there Is no
appropriation; the legislature appro-
Driatpd money for everything In the