Gunnison news-champion., 1919-03-21
BROAD CAGE
UP TO R. R.
u. s RAILROAD ADMINISTRA-
TlON PASSES THE BUCK TO
RIO GRANDE ITSELF.
We Must Concentrate EGerts . Gen.
vinee - Presideat and Directors;
Means Development Of Local Ter.
ritory.

sssOsys
II is gratifying to learn that the
u. s. Railroad Administration is per-
fectly willing to finance broadgaging
OF the Salida- Montrose division if Of
ficials of the Rio Grande will recon-
mend it. This is the information
which comes from several sources dur
ing the last week.
Lieut. Governor Stephan of Delta,
has just returned from trip to
Washington and SO reports after TAX
ing II up personally with the railroad
administration. He also states that
Russell, the new general manager of
the road is apparently opposed TO the
proposition at this time, but that is not
surprising, since such an official would
naturally have to be shown.
At one time the officials Of the road
were in favor of broadgaging and had
the plans matured to commence work,
SO that it ought not to be so difficult
| to convince them again, and all pos
sible data should be secured to prove
that this is the big improvement Of
the year for the road.
State Senator Tobin states that in
a conversation with Mr.. Russell that
that gentleman stated to him that
| tDhOSuBoBhB NANVaku otCuWOOus Cub
off of the Dotsero connecting with the
Moffat road, and James Peak tunnel
to Denver would cost the u. 4 r. G.
S25, ,000, 10000. Broadgaging over
Marshall Pass on present line would
be from two to four million dollars ac-
cording to the number of curves cut
out. BY tunneling through Marshall
Pass and either tunneling through
Cerro Summit or following down thru
the Gunnison to the North Fork would
be approximately $4,000, 10000.
Since millions were spent on the
fThAin line to handle the thru traffic,
railroad conditions have changed and
much Of the above traffic. both freight
and passenger is being diverted at
Salt Lake to the U. p. and at Pueblo
to the Santa Fe. II is now up to the
Rio Grande to develop its own ter
ritory. by making a real railroad thru
the Gunnison and Uncompahgre val
ileys where the bulk of its future trade
I, must come from.
Congressman Taylor has also Been
working on the proposition and comes
to the same conclusion. His secrr-
tary, H. v. High, writes to Senator
Tobin that it is entirely up to the Rio
Grande directors to order this i'm
provement. The railroad admins
tration will finance it II the officials
want 1t. That counds mighty encour-
aging to us, and it should spur the
commercial bodies Of Gunnison and
counties adjoining to renewed activity
big thing for the Western Slope. Mr..
Highs letter follows:
Washington, D. c., Mar. 10.
Hon. John ]. Tobin, Gunnison, Colo.
My Dear SENATOR
With further reference to resolu-
tions and petitions for the broadgag-
ing Of the Denver & Rio Grande rail-
road between Montrose and Salida,
! am just in receipt of letter from
Hon. 7. c. Powell, director of the di-
vision of capital expenditures, in
: which he makes the following state
ment: "This memorial was furnished
us direct several days ago. and l have
also had an interview with Lieuten-
ant Governor Stephan in this matter.
The senate was informed that this
matter should be taken up direct with
the federal manager Of the Denver
4 Rio Grande railroad, rs, should it
Grande corporation to agree to as
| snAAs< Oss<A sAseoas4S SSAS SoVAbok 0ARCl-
diture involved"
Il understand that Mr.. Stephan Was
here the other day and fully present
ed this matter to the railroad admin
i istration, as well as the conference
held by Mr.. Taylor and the senator.
These local matters arc left entirely
with the local management Of the
various railroads and this should
therefore be taken up direct with the
management Of the d. & r. G. rail-
road there IN Colorado. as they will
have to authorize this expenditure
and agree TO finance the same.
Il Fassume II il needless TO assure
i You that il Mr.. Taylor can be Of any
further service in this matter upon his
4 return from Panama, that he WIN IS
Il igtand TO assist in any way he can to-
wards obtaining this very much need
led improvement in that section Of his
teongressional district.
il Very cordially yours,
HUGH v. HIGH, Clerk.
Ice Situakinn TfekHsh ,