Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1922-01-28

proper transportation channels to
Denver? A. E. Headlee of Monte
Vista, state representative. asked
that question In Denver yesterday.
and then explained why he asked 1t.
In that vast empire. isolated in the
southern part OF the state. between
two imposing mountain ranges. he
said, its $4,000 Inhabitants lost
more than 100000 in live stock
and products Of the soil last year
due to q lack Of transportation facil-
tiles. And they declare that. unless
they procure immediate relief. they
will seek another outiet-that they
may build q railroad south to Santa
Fe, or that they may tunnel thru
the western range to Durango and
seek other markets.
They are desperate" said Mr..
Headlee. who is a visitor at the Ma
tional Western Stock Show. There
are five counties down there the re-
sources of which are the biggest and
richest in the state. They want
service. and they would rather have
It from Colorado. Each year they
are being swindled. The cars are
scarce enough down there. without
private interests leasing . string OF
them. bringing them In and allow
ing them to stand empty and un-
moved until some poor farmer or
stockman is compelled to sell At
the lessee's own figure. or have his
products rot or die on his hands
thru lack Of transportation.
THE only thing the San Luis val
ley needs today Is better railroad
service. II would he the most won
derful country In Colorado II 1t had
the right kind Of service.
Ask Dcnvcr's Moral Support.
THE service is better this year
than last. but even 80. there 10 no
chance for progress. because We still
are unable to market products In
the fall direct from the field.
What We want Il not financial
aid-we can take care OF that prob
lem ourselves-but the big helping
hand and the moral support Of Den
yer. come to ask Denver for L..
because II would be to Its great
benefit and to that Of the rest Of the
state II help can BE- given.
I'VE have two branches Of the
Denver 4 Rio Grande Western rail-
road down there today. There are
several ways that the road might
be improved. With standard
Euase. Aiamosa to saildz we could
have two outlets instead Of one.
Nc~d Rrss-r Rates.
What the railroad should do 10
10 furnish more power and more
cars. Too. we should have COM
mon rates In the San Luis valley.
We are discrfminated against. when
actually We should have = common
point At Alamosa.
"Our main source Of loss Is per-
ishable goods and live stock. Most
people prefer to ship to Denver. but
Il takes almost IN long ns to Kan
sas City. The trip to Pueblo Is i+O
miles. or thirty-six hours. A long
stop to feed Is made there and the
trip generally protrsctsd.
THE fact that we have not been
able TO ship potatoes has been .
great loss. For Instance. I had to
put 5000 sacks Of potatoes In my
cellar last winter for lack Of ship
ping facilities.
Cheaper tn Leave tn Ground.
when I stored them they were
worth Si.ss . nack. ! work with
these all winter At . great deal Of
expense and had TO sell them At Is
cents q sack. . loss Of $4,000. II
would have been more profitable II
] had never dug them out Of the
ground.
There va are cut off with NJ
outlet TO the west except Crcede.
There could bs. and warn you that
II the Denvsr 4 Rio 0rande West.
srn doss not make some Improve
msnts In its service. the people Will
take the same or similar steps -
dIA the residents Of AAa Jsaa val
10y. We don't vast 70 get away
from Colorado sad we doat vast
10 give ~ our laads II sxchaags tor
q Yailroad-but Ws must live.
Denver does not waat 70 over
jeok The eaA Isis valley. This
ceuntry has more possibilities than
aay other portion Of the state. and
- sr'as moro business 70 Dssv''.
Hsstl,s I.asAs Uswesked