The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1918-11-14


II completion of the branch rail-
road penetrated the gloom Of
Pine creek the first of the
week, when several construction cars
We're sidetracked on the spur and
about 25 men started to work repair
ing the track. When the flood came
last winter the branch was under
construction and about two and one
half miles Of track had been compiet-
ed. This was badly washed out and
the main line track of the o. w. r. &
N. was SO badly damaged that traf-
! fic was suspended for several weeks.
Bad weather added 10 the complica-
tions, with the result that further
construction was suspended until
spring In the meantime the govern
ment took over the railroads, which
was followed by a general suspension
of new construction. Pine creek was
hard hit. Mining operations based
upon the expectation of early trans
portation facilities were suspended,
and Pine creek soon lapsed into
condition of 'innoouous desuetude" to
use the language OF a great democrat
who knew how to describe democratic
times.
Turner Takes a Hand.
Finally ex-senator George Turner,
M l,n
himself, and who is heavily interested
in Pine creek, being president Of the
Constitution Mining company, went
to Washington to present the Pine
creek situation to Mr.. MtAdoo, direct
or general Of railroads. He brought
back the bacon and orders were is
sued to invite bids for the compile
tion of the Pine creek branch. After
much delay satisfactory bid was re
ceived, the figure being almost double
the original estimate, which was
100000 But before this bid could be
approved, signed, sealed and deliver
ed, the advance in the cost Of labor
and material gave the contractor cold
feet, so he added another 100000 to
his bid. This would figure out about
100000 per mile which naturally
chilled the feet of Senator Turner's
good friend McAdoo, who, in the Ian
guage Of the street, replied nothing
doing" This seemed to settle the fate
of Pine creek until the restoration of
that uncertain period commonly
known as normal conditions.
Turner Is No Gutter.
But Senator Turner Is a resource
full man. Conceding that this bid was
far too high, 1T did not necessarily
follow that no other plan could be de-
vised by which the branch could be
built for less. A month or six weeks
ago Senator Turner went back to
Washington. What representation he
made to the director general OF rail.
roads, or whether he made any at all,
Is not known. But it is known that
men are now engaged In reconstruct
ing the two miles of the road built
last fall and that there is no apparent
reason for doing so unless it Is the
intention to extend it at least two and
a half miles further to Beeler at the
| forks Of the creek. That would bring
1t within easy reach of much timber
awaiting transportation and within
four miles of the Constitution mine
and within three miles Of the Douglas.
Or 1t may be that this repair work
will be followed by the completion Of
the branch as surveyed to the Con-
sttution. 1t Is recalled that just pri-
or to leaving for the east Senator
Turner was accompanied to Pine
creek by F.. J. Roberts, of Spokane. a
railroad builder and engineer Of note,
who made a close inspection of the
right of way. Possibly the ray Of
hope that has penetrated Pine creek
will soon be followed by full realiza-
tion.