The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1923-07-26
No Decision in Wenatchee
Southern Case for Sew
eral Months
GROWERS PLEDGE
TO SUPPORT LINE
Crawford Says Proponents
Made Strong Showing
This Time

w. 4. Crawford returned last NIGHT
from Wenatchee where he represent
ed the Kennewick Commercial club
at the hearing on the application Of
the Wenatchee Southern railroad for
certificate of necessity and con-
venience for the construction of line
down the Columbia river from Wen
atchee to Kennewick
Mr.. Crawford reports that the pro-
ponents of the proposed railroad made
much stronger showing than at a
former hearing A great mass of
evidence, both oral and documentary,
was introduced to show that another
rail line will give the Wenatchee
fruitgrowers relief from the heavy
losses sustained each year because of
inability of the Great Northern to
move their crops in season, and also
to show that there is sufficient tom
mage to insure the successful opera
ton of the new line.
The testimony was prepared to
answer points raised in a questionaire
issued some time ago by the Inter-
state Commerce commission In this
QUESTIONABLE the commission indicat-
ed that the one thing above all else
it wished to make sure OF is, will
the new road pay during the first few
years of its operation or will it be
forced to suspend or undergo re-
ceivership with consequent loss to
those who finance it,"
Not only was evidence introduced
to show the volume of freight ton
mage originating in the territory trlb-
utary to the proposed railroad, but
growers who produce annually 1,2O0,-
900 boxes of apples signed agree
ments to allow tax of cents box
for three years to meet any operat-
ing deficit there might be during
these years.
AS at former hearing officials OF
the Great Northern contended that it
is furnishing Wenatchee 100 per cent
service compared to service rendered
other fruit districts of the Northwest
by other transcontinental railway
lines. They argued that the reason
Yakima, for instance, is able TO move
its crop is because the growers have
cold storage facilities and not because
the district is served by two railroads
Officials also told of the improve
ments the Great Northern is making
to increase its service to take care
of the fruit this year.
In combating the Great Northern's
claim that the greatest need OF the
district is more cold storage plants a
number Of fruit dealers and growers
brought out the necessity of getting
fruit out of the valley to eastern mar.
kets as soon as possible when picked
in order that it may be stored near
points of consumption where market
ing may be managed to the best ad-
vantage.
In presenting their case the Wen
atchee folks overlooked nothing. They
introduced evidence to show the pos
sibilities of building up big lumber
service. The great movement OF sheer
industry with adequate transportation
between the summer and winter range
was also shown. At the present time
these sheep are either trailed alons
the route of the proposed road or ship
ped into North Central Washington
by circuitous routes.
The first witness put on the stan'
was Col. Roger Fitch, assistant chic
of staff, Ninth Corps area, San Fran
cisco. He testified the Wenatche
Southern would prove of great valu
from military standpoint in time o
war.
The hearing was before lnterstat
Commerce Commissioner Clyde &
Aitchison and the testimony will b
examined and findings recommends
by Examiner Eshilman, who was pres
ent at the hearing. The taking 0
testimony was concluded late las
at Washington, d. c., October !, tn
night. The opening brief is to be file
remonstrant's brief October 81, an
the reply on November 20.