The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-09-19
w. r. Sebree Comedies That
He Wishes To Dispose
of Interurban Elec-
trio Lines
NO CARS CAUSE
OWNER EXPRESSES BELIEF
THAT FARMERS SHOULD
TAKE HOLDINGS.

The Caldwell Traction company
lines, valued at approximately 100000,
are for sale. This was the list of an
announcement made last Monday by
w. R. Sebree, president of the corpor-
alton, shortly before leaving for Los
Angeles. Mr.. Sebree is the principal
stakeholder in that corporation.
Difficulty in obtaining cars this fall
to move the potato crop and much un-
Just criticism heaped upon him as a
consequence were given by Mr.. Sebree
as reasons for his determination to dis
pose of the property this fall, if it is
possible to do so. @
Criticism Unjust.
II did my best this summer to OBJ
tain cars" Mr.. Sebree told repre-
sentative of The Tribune Monday
afternoon. Il was subjected to much
unjust criticism because Of the fail
ure to move the crop when it was
ready for market much of which was
absolutely without justification. Po-
4 tato producers recognize that fact now
but it didn't help my sentiments this
summer when they were bounding me
from all sides. simrlv refuse to con-
tinue the business when such discrimi-
nation as was practiced this summer is
placed at my door. / refused to con-
slider disposition of my holdings until
this years crop was moved but now
that the extraordinary calls upon the
CALDWELL Traction lines should be
over, have no hesitancy in announc-
ing that ! shall be only too glad to
/ dispose of the property"
Asked if he had any particular pur-
chaser in view, Mr.. Sebree said that
he had not but he expressed a wish
that farmers of the districts served by
thetraction lines should be the proper
purchasers.
Proposes Cooperative Ownership.
II believe that the construction oil
the Caldwell Traction lines has been
the single greatest factor in the de-
velopment of the district tributary TO
Caldwell" said Mr.. Sebree. "Real
estate has been enhanced in value in
the districts tapped by the Caldwell
Traction lines perhaps three fold and
those transportation facilities have as
suredly foctered the development OF
this section.
There is no secret in the fact that
interurban lines all over the United
States are suffering enormously from
the influx of automobiles. The Cald-
well Traction system is no exception
While trucks, especially with the roads
now available, can never compete with
electric service in the transportation
nevertheless they have materially re.
duced the demands upon this electric
line for transporting crops to Caldwell
and the transcontinental line.
Farmers Legitimate Owners.
The Caldwell Traction lines have
= lost their attractiveness as an invest
ment because of this fact. Until some
radical changes occur, they cannot be
operated at fair profit. For this rea
son, believe that the farmers who
are to profit by the interurban service
should be the persons to bear those
losses if there are any, and they shoult
likewise be entitled to such profit a.
the road may make. That line ha.
proven a boon to the territory tribu
tary to Caldwell and II Is no NOR,
than right that those people who hav,
profited and whose interests are d
stake, should own the property"
While there Is no authority for IN,
statement other than street talk, tn,
impression seems we'll disseminate
that Mr., Sebree has been negotiating
with the Oregon Short Line to tax,
over the Caldwell Traction lines
Sebree had nothing to say in regard I,
that phase of the proposed sale of tn,
property,