The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1899-07-29
ABOUT ROADS.

While The Dalles is discussing
means for improving its trade aud
building up business, the matter OF
good roads leading into the interior
should rot be overlooked. They will
do more to increase the mercantile and
shipping business than anything else,
and as these are our principal inter-
ests, they are indeed worthy of foster
ing. While there are comparatively
good roads leading to most parts OF
Wasco county they are susciptable OF
Improvement and should receive the
attention of those who are to be
benefited by the trade which may be
induced to come here. But better
roads leading into Crook, Sherman, 3,
Grant, Gillian and Klickitat counties
are of greater Importance to The
Dalles at this time, for by them new
trade can be secured and old trade re-
tained. A road that is of more i'm
portance than all others is one leading
into Crook county, that will be free,
fpr the payment of tolls is ever draw
back to travel. 1t is said by those
who have passed over the country to
the south that a practicable route can
bs had across Descbutes river at the
o'd Maupin ferry, then up the river to
Prineville, that would reduce the dis
tance between the latter place and The
Dalles 20 miles, also that the hills on
This route are not nearly so steep as
those on the road now travelled. This
road it is.said can be built for not to
exceed $1,000 and bridge across the
river could be constructed for $500 or
$1,000, which would bring the entire
improvement within $4,000.
If these statements are correct The
Dalles can we'll afford to subscribe
liberal amount toward the road, while
the bridge should be built by the
county. for it would accommodate all
those residing in the country south
and east of Oeschutes river. Such
road would insure nearly all the trade
from Crook county coming here, since
The Dalles would then be as near
Prineville as is Moro, which is likely
to be the terminus of the Columbia
Southern for some time, and if the
producers of Crook county can reach
The Dalles over free road with no
longer distance to travel than they
can reach any other point, they will
always come here because of the
cheaper transportation, better ware
house facilities and higher market fer
their products. The trade of Crook
county is valuable to The Dalles, and
is worth putting forth an effort to re-
tain, for without it our shipping in
terests and the business of our mer.
chants would be greatly curtailed.
Improved roads leading into the
southern part of Gillian county would
have tendency to draw all the wool
business of Wheeler county and the
southern part of Gillian this way, and
some of the wheat from the southern
part of Sherman would find its way to
The Dalles if better facilities for travel
were offered. The trade Of Klickitat
is also ours if the people of that county
are given an opportunity to come here
with heavily loaded teams. The Lyle
Goldendale railroad is yet a matter of
conjecture. and will likely not be built
for many years if the necessity for it is
averted by the construction of good
wagon roads into the country it is in
tended to tap. What The Dalfes greatly
needs today is good roads leading into
all the sections mentioned above, and
it can we'll afford to subscribe money
for their construction.