The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-04-11


FRED G.. KIRcH. Observer.
'SMORE RAILROAD THOUGHTS.
Quite frequently we are asked con-
cerning the prospects of the railroad
being extended from Winner west iE-
to Mellette county, by both the pee
pie living here and tl4o,e who come
TO our county with view of making
investments or who are thinking OF
building new home here. All recog
nize the fact that the lack Of ade-
quate railroad facilities is the one
thing, and the only thing, that is re-
tarding the rapid development of this
county into one Of the best, richest
and most prosper us counties in the
state. 1t Is fact, not to be denied,
that this railroadless condition Of our
couniy, imposes heavy tax for ever
land transportation on everyone who
lives here, and if the building Of this
extension is to be delayed much long
er, we believe it behoves the people
now living here, or those having pro
perty interests here, to devise some
method Of relieving the situation.
OF course, as we have said before, the
railroads themselves, are at present,
considerably up In the ai--they don't
know just whert they are at, and 1t Is
reasonable to suppose that tley will
not be interested in any extensions
at least not until the government let's
them know what they are going to do
with their property. Congress ad-
journed without taking any action,
in fact Congress did not even pass the
appropriation bill that was asked for,
to pro' ide the roads with funds to
make necessary repairs and improve
ments. Congress will not be re-assem
bled until soue time next month and
perhaps even later, and while the
railroad question will no doubt re-
c,eve early attention, yet that body
no doubt first take up the peace trea-
tv, the league of nations and much
other necessary and urgent legislation
that was not completed by the last
Congress, and it Is a matter of conjec.
ture as to just when the railroads
will know definitely whether they
are to have their property returned
to them, or whether the government
will continue in control and possession
of it.
However, it is our humble opinion,
that our people should get busy now
and prepare a lot Of data and facts
so as to be able to appear before the
railroad officials, or the government
officials in charge Of the railroads, OF
both, at the opportune tine, and prt
sent to them such strong case back
ed by facts, that they could not long
or defer giving this county the trans
portation facilities that we must
have before we can grow. and expand
and prosper as we should,
We would like to see everyone in
Mellette county interrogated with re.
gard to how many cattle he sold for
the market. how many hogs, corn,
wheat, oats, Gags cream, butter, etc,
how much lumber, coal, posts, wire,
etc. he has purchased during the past
year--in fact get complete tabula.
tion Of every pound of freight of any
kind that has been brought into or
taken out Of the county during the
year 1918. Tim we would have all
this information tabulated-it Of
course would be task Of considers
BILE proportions.
In the first place we should hays
a railroad booster or promotion orgsy
ization who would take charge of thil
work and see that 1t was done. The,
one or two days should be set apar,
for the gathering Of this information
and we would favor the plan of ha avipi
one or two good reliable men In eacl
township gather this information, b
making personal visits to the peopl
? living in the township. Then W
would yet some competent person +
tabuiate the information rs to eacl
Township and the different CLASSES o
freight. This information might b
gathered by Tia. Assessors or the LII
erty Loan Committeeman who Will 8
licit subscription for tile VictoryLoa
this month, but the best plan woul