The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-01-04
Would Initiate Law Giving Railroad
Commissioners Power to Compel
Building Railroads If Found
Warranted

Here it is January, 1924. Let's go
after that Railroad
There is no subject that is of more
interest to the residents of this Sec
-tion of Montana, then railroad con-
struction. For nearly fifteen years
many of our residents have resided
here in hopes of seeing the Great
Northerns locomotives come steam
ing up the Redwater Valley, but up to
the present not sign OF them, nor a
single word Of encouragement from
the railroad officials, as to when
they will extend their line through
here.
Hard times they holler, railroads
not making any money, butt still we
notice that the Northern Pacific con-
slider 1t profitable undertaking to
extend their line from Kildeer, N.
Dak-, to Sidney, Montana, announce
ment of which they have recently
made. Well also venture that the
extension of the Great Northern from
Richey to Lewistown, Montana,
would prove whole lot more profit
able undertaking than the above
mentioned N. P. extension, consider
ing revenues to be anticipated along
the line.
This section of Montana was settled
up on the strength of assurance by
the Great Northern that their line
would be extended through here, soon
as possible. but after reaching Richey,
they have apparently forgotten all
about 1t.
Various attempts have been made
to induce them to extend their line,
requiring considerable money and
time, but nothing accomplished.
However recently Attorney General
Rankin of Helena, while making our
county visit,and seeing the vital
necessity of railroad through this
section, made a suggestion, which
certainly Is worth considering. He
suggested that we get busy and ini-
tiate law, giving the railroad com
missioners of the state authority to
compel the railroads to extend their
lines, or build branch lines, where it
was found to be reasonably warrant
ed Mr. Rankin was Immediately
asked to draw up such bill and the
necessary petitions, which he has
done, and they are now on file at the
Banner Office.
The proposition ofcourse is a pretty
big one, but with the united effort on
the part of all residents residing be-
tween Richey and Lewistown, 1T CAN
BE DONE. The required number of
signers on the petitions to bring the
matter to vote at the general elec.
tion next November, is about the
hardest task. When submitted to the
people of the state to be voted on,
there Is no question but what 1t
would carry and with big majority,
as this law would very likely De lnai,e
use of in other sections of the state
where railroad transportation may be
needed
A movement is on foot to start the
ball a rolling, and in order that our
readers may get posted on the propo-
sition, the Banner is starting out by
giving little advance publicity on
the subject, and hopes that the move
ment will eventually bring what's
most desired by every resident of this
section-the railroad.
Following is copy of the proposed |
Initiative bill:
"a Bill to enact by the Initiative a |
Law to authorize the Board of Rail !
Road Commissioners of Montana, to |
require Railroad companies to Con-
struct, Maintain and Operate Branch |
lines or extensions of existing lines, /
whenever the interests of the Public |
reasonably require such service and
the Revenues reasonably to be anti
cipated therefrom will be sufficient
to give a reasonable return upon the
necessary cost of such construction;
Providing for hearings by said /
Board, for the enforcement of it's or I
ders, for appeals, and fixing penalties
for the violation of this Act
BE 1T ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE !!
OF MONTANA:
Section 1. The term railroad COM
pany" or railroad companies" as
used in this Act shall include any and
all companies, firms, corporations or
individuals now or hereafter operat-
ing in whole or in part any line of
railway in the State of Montana
Section g. The Board of Railway
Commissioners of the State of Mon
tana is hereby granted power and
authority, after notice and hearing as
hereinafter provided, to require rail-
road companies operating in the :,
State of Montana to construct, main
tain and operate branch lines or ex-
tensions of any existing line connect i
Ing any line of railway of such COM
pany or any point thereon with any
point in the State of Montana ada
cent to said line of railway or within i
the territory served thereby, when I
ever, in the judgment of said Board, Il
the constructions such branch line Il
or extension Is reasonably necessary
to the service of the public and the (
revenues to be derived therefrom will
In the judgmnt of said Board, be suffi-
cient to constitute a reasonable re-
turn upon the probable necessary
cost of such construction and opera I
ton.
Section 3. Before making any such !