Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-02

pointed out that il there is to be
a union of Montana roads, that the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
surely runs more directly through
the territory served by the North
ern Pacific and could more natur-
ally become allied with that sys-
tenn. For many miles in this state,
these two roads are only a short
distance apart. They could be per-
haps connected up for a united ser
vice. This city is decidedly op-
posed to a linking up Of the Mil
waukee road with the Great North
ern. The committee appointed to
voice the sentiment of the directors
of the Great Falls Commercial club
introduced this paragraph into its
letter under date of November 20,
addressed to the interstate COM
nerce commission at Washington,
D. c.:
We believe that this merger
or consolidation would work a
great hardship on the mer-
chant, the stock raiser and the
farmer located in northern
Montana. A tremendous terri
tory would be affected and its
proper development greatly de-
layed if served by only n
railway line. We, therefore,
most earnestly protest against
this proposed consolidation.
There does not seem to be any
difference of opinion in this city.
If the Milwaukee road is Joined to
the Great Northern, the last chance
of competition is taken away from
this section of Montana. This city
has always looked forward to the
time when a. development Of the
Great Northern. also contemplated
by James J. Hill, would give US a
line coming down through Dawson
county and via Lewistown through
Great Falls and on over the noun
tains to connect again at some
point around Columbia Falls. This
was a project in which MI. Hill
was earnestly interested in the
years before the war. He said II
develop a wonderful new
country and add much TO service
and facility. In his mind, the plan
much to be preferred over
double tracking the present line OF
the Great Northern through this
state. Great Falls has also always
desired to see the Milwaukee road
extended on across the mountains
to Missoula. Both of these enter
would do much more for
northern Montana than any con-
solidation plan which al be sug-
gested.
Speaking generally, the American
people are inclined to entertain
various opinions upon the same
subject over a series Of years. In
former times, the government was
standing like a rock against the
union Of the big railway lines into
non-competitive systems. Now the
agency of the government-the IN
terstate commerce commission
appears to be looking at tine sub
iect through different spectacles-
spectacles that have been fitted to
the eyes of a college professor.
In this connection, there hobs up
the opinion which has often been
expressed in this newspaper: The
government will have to continue
to have much more to do with the
running Of the railroads in the fu-
ture or it will have to back UP and
let the owners of the railways OPP
crate the properties that belong to
them. There really is no permanent
ground. In q few years, we
are going to have private owner
ship of the railways or we are 60
ing to have government ownership.
The interstate commerce commits
sion now just about completely d.
reefs the earnings Of our transport
systems. The government
has been trying to exercise a cor
responding direction of the labor
involved in their operation with
more or less success. This mixed
up jurisdiction seems to work out
more Of a tumble than anything
In the meantime. the people must
keep their eyes open because there
is much to watch and much to do.