The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1923-08-02
LOOKING US OVER AND
LOOKING OURSELVES OVER
BY GUY FLENNER


The latest visit to Idaho of Presi
dent Carl Gray of the Union Pacific
is more significant than may appear
on the surface. Mr.. Gray is one Of
the busiest and biggest rail execu'
tives in the United States. He has
done lot for US at his desk in New
York Now he has come out, not
only to scoot thru our country. in q
private car, but to stop at various
communities. and moreover, to &c
out into the fields and talk to our
farmers, get their ideas on produc-
ton methods, come into closer relas
tionship with their problems and
give them the best advice as to
marketing and transportation within
his experience and knowledge.
The writer knows that President
Gray is not the only man of prom
inence in the financial and CONNER
cial world who has been looking us
over, altho most of the others have
a different mission and do not at
tract the same public attention as is
associated with the visit of the oper-
ating head of the transportation
system serving our territory.
Their visits may mean lot. A
great deal depends upon ourselves;
and because of that fact it is well for
US to look ourselves over, to count
ourselves, to take stock of our
activities and determine whether or
not we are doing the things we
should do to encourage further in
vestment, which also means more Of
that much needed additional popula-
ton, in our state.
The Union Pacific has done lot
for us in opening up far away
markets. We are at the end of the
trail leading to the desirable
markets. To reach them profitably
is a problem. We ship produce we
should compress into other forms,
but whatever we have to ship, our
railroad system helps us market to
the best advantage. In that sense
we are partners. The question is,
shall we be harmonious, profit-mak-
ing partners or shall we be quarrel
some, profit-killing partners?
Other public utilities in the state
are also doing lot for us. Take
the Mountain States Telephone COM
pany. In addition to giving us a
service we ought to be proud of, it
has made careful inquiries as to our
production, our climate. our scenic
attractions and so on, and has
heraled our advantages and outdoor
life possibilities to the nation. 1t is
building on our future, and going
into debt. It's business in this state
does not pay, and has not; but the
men behind the company have con-
in our future.
The Idaho Power company has
built plants and transmission lines
into Improbable territory and
helped us amazingly to develop. 1t
aids our dairying and other in
dustries thru special departments. II
hasn't made for it's fundamental
hackers in the east any real money |
here; but it is building for the
our future, too. And
its rates are among the lowest in
the United States.
We might as we'll call these in
by name. We do so
when we get peeved and begin to
tear down by aiding organized
activities against them by men who
are apt to be interested in making
for themselves.
These are all vital forces in our
development; and they all contribute
heavily in taxes. The o. S. l.. pays
more than one-twelfth of all the
axes in Idaho. Recent figures show
he amount paid by it in taxes is
hree times as much now in Idaho
lone as it was on the system in all
he states in 1910. The others are
imilar tax payers. So are all of us,
tut it seems we are all in the same
,oat.
In Oregon and other states, public
,odies in their literature call atten-
ion to the splendid service and the
zig payrolls of the states public
Utilities to attract investors and
lomeseekers. Why not look our
elves over in Idaho and find out If
7e are not over looking bet and If
re are not making mistake in try I
ng to raise hell instead of helping {
0 make profits for our state? {
When we want more capital we =
re much more apt to get it if the
len who now have investments here :
an truthfully say to their eastern
riends: idaho is all right. Her {
eople are all right. We are all {
nth them, playing the future, /
uilding for the future 1t is easy
D get around the table with those G
eople and adjust any differences. o
% out there and invest. 1t is safe. :
he outlook is good. You will be
reated fairly, and be protected, il
GU treat them fairly"
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