The Glenwood post., 1920-07-17
CANON CITY OPPOSES
STATE TUNNELS


proposed tunnels as outlined by the
State Railroad Commission, for the fol-
lowing reasons:
First. We are opposed to a heavy
bonded Indebtedness III this state un-
less is could be shown more to our sat
lsfaction that the revenue derived
from such Indebtedness would fully
justify such burden and we do not
beliece that the returns from such pro-
jects as are proposed would ever be-
come sufficient to justify the people Of
this State into an encumbrance against
their property holdings to such amounts
as would be necessary to construct
these tunnels for private concerns or
corporations.
Second. We do not believe it can
be made incumbent upon any corpora
tlon to accept and use these tunnels
regardless of the fact of whether or
not it may result in direct benefit.
Should this state compel or attempt 10
compel any corporation to use some
thing of this character, more especial
ly roads in the hands of a Receiver?
The use of these tunnels for the con-
veyance of water from the Western
judgment, wholly without reason. The
danger of leakage from water lines
and smoke would make them unsafe
and even dangerous and injunction
suits would undoubtedly result in any
attempt to change the point of diver
S on of water
Third The bonded indebtedness of
this state March l, 1920, as shown by
the report of Mr.. Harry +. Mulnix,
State treasurer, was 81 ,S25 10000 since
1897 and the present outstanding bonds
amount of $4,340, 10000, less than a
quarter of million dollars having
been paid during this period of %
years.
Fourth. We have information that
| other large railroad interests have lines
under consideration and in the event
that other and more direct communi ca
tions being established, these tunnels
would become practically valueless and
might result in these roads being
I"'junked' as some other lines have
been done of late.
Fifth. We do not believe that the
railroads are in financial position to
take advantage of the use of these tun-
nels if constructed. 1t would mean
these lines must be made standard
guage and n refusal on their part to
comply with n measure compelling them
to use them would mean that these
lhes would have to be taken over and
operated by the state. The tunnels
would not reduce the heavy grades only
at the points of construction of the
tunnels and as result, while the lines
might be operated longer, the tonnage
uld not be very materially incrcsae !.
sixth. 1t is conceded that the pres
cnt location of at least two of these
tunnels is not the logical or proper To-
cation and therefore if would mean
that complete new lines must be con-
structed to and from these tunnels.
These tunnels would have to be com
Pleted before the building of these lines
and to ompel the use of them might
take several years of litigation in the
courts. The possibility of these tunnels
never being used is too great risk Tor
the people OF this state to assume.
Seventh. The present cost as esti-
mated BY the Commission is $500 600
for the three projects. This estimate
does not, ard cannot. give the EXACT
location of these tunnels. Regardless
of the fact that such estimates are
made by conservative engineers, they
always cost far in excess of these est.
mates A recent project constructed
by the state was estimated at 10000,
and when it was completed its cost was
EGO, ri1.0d The present outlook for
labor is hol encouraging as well as thet
of materials for construction and it is
imposs blc to predict what condit ons
may arse before the completion rf
these pi' lccts.
Lightn We are not advised as to
the proposed methods of disposition of
these bonds. We take it, however,
that it will be one bond issue covering
the three projects and the proposed bill
states the fact very plainly that 'he
funds of one may be used for the con,
struction of the others. We are of the
firm opinion that only ONE tunnel
would be COMPLETED, unless further
bond issnes should be voted.
Ninth. There are some $4,000, 900
first mortgage bonds, outstanding, and
other Junior issues of II considerable
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