The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1922-11-16
THE POLICY OF THE UNION PACIFIC
IN NEVADA

General Manager H. " Plat, of the Oregon
Short Line, under date of October goth, 1922, has
this to say regarding the policy of the Union Pa
cific System in the matter of irrigation and develop
ment of the productive lands in the State of Ne
vada in the event the Central Pacific were grouped
with the Union Pacific:
"On October 10TH took this matter up with
President c. R. Gray, of the Union Pacific System,
as follows:
"Quite interest in Nevada is centered on
what the policy of the Union Pacific will be with
reference to irrigation and development of produc-
tive lands in that State in event Central Pacific
were grouped with Union Pacific. Are we autho-
rized to say that same active plan of development
and irrigation will be pushed in cooperative
way as has characterized development in other
similar sections by Union Pacific Lines.
"And on the same date received his reply,
which quote for your information:
"The Union Pacific has carried out consist
ent policy of construction to benefit irrigated and
productive lands in Idaho and Utah. Has just
made extension of Homedale Branch in Idaho, con-
structed line to Fillmore and is preparing to con-
struct line to Cedar City. 1t has recently completed
forty mile extension to serve irrigated lands in
Nebraska and Wyoming. Its policy has been con-
sstenty to aid in the development of its territory
and the same policy would be pushed in a co-opera-
tive way Central Pacific Lines if latter are ac-
quired by this company.
"1n conversation the last time you were in
Salt Lake, told you thought it was fortunate that
SO many of the officers of the Union Pacific System
are western men and understand the possibilities
OF western development and know piece of sage
brush when they it. and the bigger the sage the
better the land. In other words few people can
either realize or appreciate the possibilities of
barren stretch of country unless they know from
first hand experience and observation the produc-
tive possibilities in connection with irrigation We
are Differed with that type of men and as you
know, our agricultural and colonization depart
ments are paving the way for development in every
section OF the country served by our rails
The development of the southern and central
part OF Idaho stands monument to co-opera-
tive reclamation work, and as far as Oregon Short
Line policy went with no thought of railroad COM
petition as an inducement or prod to its share in
the development You can get better idea of
what | refer to by referring to a map of Idaho.
which shows in the upper Snake River country. in
the Twin Falls District, and in the Boise. Nampe.
Payette and Weser sections that the country has
been developed by the construction of branch lines
with view to reducing the wagon haul by farmers
to reasonable distance to reach loading points
We know that farmers cannot work their stock in
the spring, summer and fall without giving them
some rest in the winter, and that hauling stuff rs or
~ miles to shipping point is a handicap against
settlers and developers not only in the matter of
time and money but as well in actual competition
with market conditions
UNION PACIFIC SYSTEM