Cottonwood chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1917-current, 1920-04-16
BIG RAILROAD
LINK PLANNED
IDAHO TAKES INITIAL STEP
TO JOIN NORTH AND
SOUTH IDAHO

Asking the interstate COM
merce commission OF the United
States to compel the Northern
Pacific and other railroads to
complete a railroad link between
north and south Idaho, the state
public utilities commission ex-
ploded u bomb of sensation in
railroad circles Saturday.
1t proposes that the interstate
commerce commission, invoking
new powers conferred upon it bv
the transportation act of 1920
(which returned the e rail-
roads,") shall require the de-
fendant railroads to build a line
connecting the Camas Prairie
railroad at Fem with the Pacific
& Idaho Northern railroad at
New Meadows.
Effect Great Savings.
The state intends to prove to
the national commission that the
new line, even should it cost
seven million dollars-a gener-
GUS estimate-would effect sav-
ings in freight and passenger
transportation and earn an in
come commensurate with its
cost.
The complaint to the federal
commission names the Northern
Pacific and Camas Prairie rail-
road companies and the Oregon
Washington Railroad & Naviga-
ton company as defendants. All
are designated as interstate
common carriers.
Under Grant of New Power.
1t bases it's action upon one of
two new powers conferred upon
the interstate commerce COM
mission by the act of congress
which, on March l, returned the
railroads to their operating COM
panies after term of federal
control. This act provided that
all interstate railroads seeking
to extend their lines must first
secure a certificate of conven-
fence and necessity" from the
interstate commerce commission
1t also provided that the inter-
state commerce commission may
order any railroad to extend its
lines. Under the latter provi-
sion, Idaho hopes to break down
the mountain barrier between
north and south.
Public Necessity Demands.
The states complaint, pre-
pared by Raymond L Givens,
attorney for the public utilities
commission, sets forth that
there is no adequate or efficient
line of railroad for the transpor-
tation of freight and passenger
from north to south Idaho and
vice versa, and that public con-
venience and necessity demands
construction of the proposed
link.
1t sets forth further that the
proposed route is practicable and
feasible. Maps showing in de-
tail the plan accompany the COM
plant.
Big Saving in Mileage.
The distance from Boise, Ida
no, to Lewiston, Idaho, over the
new line, would decrease the pre-
sent railroad distance, through
Oregon and Washington, practi-
cally a fourth, the state AYERS.
The distance from Lewiston to
Fem is 70 miles, from Fem to
New Meadows is 81 miles, from
New Meadows to Weiser is S9.7
miles and from Weiser to Boise
is 70 miles, a total distance of
1857 miles as against 1887
miles the shortest present route.
The state asks the extension
order for the sake of the lumber
industry in north Idaho, alleging
that it would make cheap and
economical transportation of tim
ber products from north to
south Idaho.
1t asks the order on behalf of
the mining industry, declaring
the road will open up vast new
industries in the Salmon river
country.
Shippers Profit Greatly
1t stresses the necessity of
shipping livestock from central
Idaho valleys 10 outside markets
and lays much emphasis upon