Gunnison news-champion., 1919-01-24
WILL TRY A MEMORIAL
FOR BROAD GAGE
Legislature Asked TO Help Pry Rio
Grande Loose from Shaekles of In
efficient Handling.


News Champion has watched with
much interest the proposal of Senator
Tobin of Montrose and Mesa, TO get
our state legislature united IN a de-
mand for the broad gage from Salida
to Montrose. He is singularly the
man TO take this up. From former
residence in Montrose, Tobin became
thoroughly familiar with conditions,
and now become q resident of Grand
Junction. which has always opposed
the broadening of this portion of the
Rio Grande track, he can swing peo-
pies opinion there.
The memorial which Senator Tobin
presented in the branch of the assem-
bly,, now bears the names of Senators
Hetherington, O'Brien, Slattery and
Bannister. II is fair in tone and
spirit and very timely. II should pass
both houses without opposition and
become 4 powerful lever in securing
that greatest Of development projects
the making of this third Rio Grande
third division into a real railroad. The
resolution reads:
To the Honorable Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States of
America, The United States Rail-
road Administration and the Con-
gress of the United States:
Whereas, The railroads of the Uni
ted States are under Federal control;
and
Whereas, The narrow gage branch
Of the Denver g. Rio Grande railroad
between Salida, Colorado and Mont
rose, Colorado. is inadequate for the
needs and development OF the exten-
sIvc agricultural. live stock and coal
and metal mining industries of the
vast domain tributary 10 said narrow
gage lines of railroads, and
Whereas, One of the largest gov
eminent irrigation projects Of the en-
tire west is located at Montrose and
along said narrow gage line or rail-
road and is now in process Of deyel-
Opmcnt;
WHEREAS:>E Embraced in this great
domain are vast, partially developed
coal fields. including the only ship
ping anihracit" mines West OF Penn
sylyania- also the greatest shipping
center of livestock in the state, and
the most important producing field Of
carnOtItc ores in the union; and
WHEREAS; Embraced in this great
domain are large fields Of low grade
ores Containing gold, silver, copper,
zinc and other minerals. which under
the present inadequate. narrow gage
railroad facilities remain undevelaped
and which under improved and ade-
quate facilities would become produc-
ing areas thus building up profitable
industries; and adding to the worlds
supply Of these necessary minerals.
Now Therefore. Be il resolved by
the Senate Of the Twenty second Gen
eral Assembly. the House Of Repres-
cntatives eoncurring, that the United
States government take such action
as may be necessary, authorizing as
may be necessary, authorizing and di-
recting the broad-gaging of the mar
row gag" line of the Denver and Rio
Grande Railroad, between the City of
Salida, Colorado, and the City of
Montrose, Colorado, so that said line
may be enlarged and transformed in
to a broad gage standard line of rail-
road.
Be il further resolved. That this
Memorial be entered in the records
Of the General Assembly and copies
thereof be forwarded BY the Secretary
of State 20 the President of the Unit
ed States, The United States Railroad
Administration, to the United States
Senate and National House of Repre-
scntatiyes and TO our senators and
representatives in Congress.