The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1922-04-28
Traction Company
Files Protest With
Commerce Com
mission Against the
Construction of the
Hornedale Exten-
sion.

Formal protest was mailed Wednes-
day evening by Frank Meek, attorney
for the Caldwell Traction Company,
to the interstate commerce commits
sion, Directing to the construction o.
seven and one-half miles of railroad
by the Oregon Short Line from
Homedale into competitive territory,
the upper Gem district.
Informal notification that such ac
ton would be taken was given George
Erb, member of the Idaho public
utilities commission, April 4, accord
ing to Mr.. Meek. This informal
notice was repeated April 10. and, as
a result, orders were given from
Omaha hating all work on the H lone
dale-Claytonia extension by the Union
Pacific.
Relying upon the construction of
this branch line to give farmers of
the upper Gem district transportation
facilities, not less than 5000 acres of
potatoes have already been planted
there and a considerable lettuce acre
age is planned, according to farm
bureau figures. Without a railroad,
these producers will be without means
of shipping this produce without ex-
pensive and damaging trucking for a
considerable distance.
Fight For Life.
The Caldwell Traction company is
making what c. D. Purkhiser, man
ager, AYERS to be fight tor its ex-
istence. The protest to the interstate
commission points out that the pro-
posed Homedale extension will serve
strictly competitive territory, will ROT
the traction company of share of its
business and will jeopardize its fur
Their operation.
Mr.. Purkhiser Thursday BRANDED
as false statements credited to thu
public utilities commission that thu
commission was not aware of Traction
company opposition to the new road
II personally told Mr.. George Erb
a member of the commission, that w
should oppose that road unless som
assurance could be given us that tn
Oregon Short Line would absor'
freight differential on through traffi
to the end that the traction compan
would not be at a disadvantage I
competing for business arising in tn
Pickle Butte bridge vicinity. This cor
versation took place April 4 About
week later I repeated our stand
No DOG in Manager"
Speaking of Mr. Erbs designatio
of the Caldwell Traction company
opposition as dog in the manager
attitude, Mr.. Purkhiser Thursday a
serted that such an expression ha
no foundation in fact.
1--WE are not trying to prevent farm
ers and producers getting good Sc
vice. But we know just as soon
that Homedale extension begins ope
ating with Caldwell main line freigI
rates, our business will suffer Al
challenge anyone to deny the rig
of any corporation or private ente
prise to fight for its own welfare, pa
ticularly when its very existence Is
stake"
Went too Fast
From recent developments, it is G.
dent that the state public utilities col
mission and other officials overstepp
their authority when they assured t
interstate commerce commissi
through writtted and signed guara
tees that no protest against the pi
posed extension would be filed. I
Caldwell Traction Company, regard
locally as the only interested par
was not consulted
Upon the basis Of these overtu
and pending the formal considerati
of the Oregon Short Lines appli
(Caut;cvsd On Rack PaRe,)