The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1916-02-25
ELECTRIC ROAD
HIGHLY FAVORED

- c1ClluoIdSM VIII DullQ fallfOads
there is no doubt of the ultimate con
struction of what is termed the Reser
vation-Missoula Traction line. Al
least that must be the conclusion o1
everyone who attended the mass meet.
ing in Scearce hall last Saturday night
With the short notice of the meeting
coupled with the almost impossible
condition of the roads at that time, the
attendance was beyond all expectations
That the farmers of this section are
deeply interested was shown beyond q
doubt by the number who, regardless
of mud, came from their homes to at
tend, there being probably an equal
number of the total attendance from
the country. Only one answered the
call from Poison and the st. Ignatius
delegation failed to arrive at all. How
ever, those towns are expected to hold
separate meetings in the near future,
after which general meeting will be
called of all reservation people.
Of the meeting held last Saturday
night, S. R. Logan, secretary, fur
nishes the following minutes:
Mr.. A. Sutherland called the meet
ing to order and requested that officers
for the meeting be elected. Mr.. Suth-
er]and was elected chairman, and S. R.
Logan was elected secretary.
Mr.. Sutherland stated that the meet
ing was called for informal conference
on the question of a railroad for this
section, and that there was no pro-
gram of any sort provided.
Earl D. Covell responded to call
from the house to discuss the situation.
Mr.. Covell's discussion touched upon
three aspects of the matter: First, the
seeming Indifference of the railroads to
which this territory is tributary and
the unsatisfactory location of their
surveys, which miss the towns of Pol
son, Roman and St. Ignatius, are far
from the timber. and do not offer the
most attractive facilities of travel to
the general public; Second, the FEAST
bility from the engineering standpoint
of an electric road from Poison, via
Roman and St. Ignatius, to Missoula,
there being no grade to exceed two
per cent at any point; Third, the feas-
ibility of such route from the stand
point of it's economic advantages.
Mr.. Childs reported that leading peo-
pie of Poison and Mssoula were very
enthusiastic over the idea and thought
every effort should be made to mater
ialize it. He pointed out the advantage
of connecting at Missoula with two
transcontinental lines.
Stanley Scearce spoke enthusiastically
He believed that this is favorable
time for such movement, and sug-
gested that great deal of capital
could be secured in Missoula, Butte
and Anaconda.
Messrs. Logan, Mason, Maloney,
Bailey and Mcdonald spoke encourage
ingly Mr. Mcdonald offered his SER
vices in the very important work of
securing right of way, and said if the
road should be built through Ravalli he
should be glad to donate forty acres.
Mr.. Sutherland was called upon and
spoke in detail of the problem of financ-
ing the project. He gave facts and in
stances to show that it was entirely
feasible. He stated that a series of
local meetings would be held, then, if
conditions were favorable, grand
meeting of the people of the entire
section affected, when business organ
ization would be provided and the pro-
ject put definitely under way.
Upon motion of Mr.. Scearce, the fol-
lowing resolution was adopted unani-
mously:
Whereas, At this mass meeting of
citizens of Roman and vicinity the
proposition for local initiative and di-
rection for the building of railroad
between Poison and Missoula, via Ro-
nan and st. 1gnatius, has appeared to
be entirely practicable and desirable,
it is
Resolved, That this meeting heartily
endorses the movement and has con-
fidence in it's ultimate success; and that
the secretary shall send copy of this
resolution to the St. Ignatius Post, and
he Roman Pioneer, and the Poison i
Courier for publication. |
A motion prevailed that temporary 1
committee of five be appointed to con- s
fer with the people of St. Ignatius and !
Poison and vicinities and ronort +o q ,
meeting of the citizens of Roman and !
vicinity to be called at the discretion of
the chairman. !
The chairman appointed the follow f
ing committee: Messrs. Covell, Mason, ,
scearce, Childs and Sterling.
By motion duly seconded and car E
1ied this cnmmittaa uar f,,r4ha. {. !,