The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-05-24

nat the three railroads centerine
In Moscow may be operated from one
depot, with one set of station men. is
a strong probability for the near fu-
ture. The plan is being considered
and today the situation was canvassed
by W. J. Jordan, general agent for the
Northern Pacific at Lewiston, who
went over the situation carefully and
estimated the cost of making the con-
nectiOnS and the saving in expense if
the three railroads should be operated
as one.
This is part of the general plan of
the government to consolidate and
avoid duplication in railroad work and
expense. 1t is being done all over the
country Arrangements are now be-
Ing made to have the Northern Pa
cific trains entering Spokane run to
the union depot and thus have all of
the business done at ons place. Ticket
offices in the business districts of the
towns and cities are being closed eve
rywhere and millions Of dollars are be-
ing saved in this way.
Some time ago the station agents
In Moscow were asked to furnish the
railroad management a list of ex-
penses of the three stations and an
estimate of the amount to be saved
II the stations were consolidated This
was done, the report was sent to the
committee having general charge of |
such matters while the railroads are |
under government control, and yes
terday Mr.. Jordan was sent here to go |
over the ground and make a supple
report. He spent last night |
and this forenoon here and then went
to Pullman where a similar condition
exists, with the exception that there
are but two railroads there, and will
probably go to Palouse, Garfield and
Oakesdale and Rosalia. There are
two roads at Palouse and three at
each Of the other towns mentioned.
If the change is made the Northern
Pacific station will probably be used
as that is the only road running
through Moscow This is the end of
he other two roads. The change
would require a connecting track be-
.ween the O.-W. r. & N. and the Nor
.hern Pacific near the fair grounds,
Ind the Identification of the Northern
Pacific tracks for connection with :
he Inland Electric railroad. All ,
rains would then be run into the Nor ,
hern Pacific station and people
'atronizing any of the three roads
would leave from or arrive at the T
ame station.
Mr. Jordan knows nothing of what
7iH be done in the matter. He will
lake his report and the committee in t.
barge will decide what action shall Il
e taken. Such changes would, un- a
oubtedly, reduce the expense of op- d.
ration considerably and at Moscow J
le expense of connecting the three O
Dads would be much lighter than it Il
'ould at other points, especially at e.
alouse, where there is a vast diff L
,rence in the grade of the Northern fl
acific and Inland. 81
The government evidently plans to II
yerate the roads for many years. 1t al
known that the war department is
aiming for five years more Of war
Id a bill passed by congress and
gned by President Wilson provides
at the railroads shall be operated
: the government for 81 months after
Q war closes. Heavy increase. in
'erating expenses must be met either
: advance in freight and passenger
ties or reduction in operating ex- D.
nses by consolidation. The elimin-
ion of travelling freight and passen-
r agents, uptown offices, and the