The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-18
THEY ARE
IMPATIENT OF
RED TAPE
Settlers in New Country Want
Bridges and Quick.
THERE'S PLENTY0F MONEY
But the Department at Wash
ington VIII Take Its Time.

Guthrie, Q. T.. May lin the devei-
ment of a new country the first things
demanded by the new settler the man
who must build up the country to the
standard reached by other states, are
bridges. In the settling up OF the new
country the demand for bridges began a
month after the opening. New roads
were made. available fords were looked
up. in order TO cross the streams. until
such a time should elapse until bridges
could he created: and now, since the
heavy rains in the new country. hardly
day passes but what letters reach the
governors once. asking questions as to
time and the probability OF bridges be-
ing placed over the larger streams in the
new counties.
Recently two acquisitions were for
warded to Washington asking for bridges
for Caddo county. These were approved
by Governor Ferguson and were granted
by the interior department. The requisi-
tons for bridges were sent on for Kiowa
county, and Comanche county have failed
50 far 10 secure bridges for even the
smaller streams OF that county. let alone
the larger ones.
AT first the appeals were sent 10 the
governor. In case the acquisitions were
not UP in proper form they were sent
back 20 the county clerk for correction.
When the bridges did not come when the
people thought they should the governor
was blamed. When II was known that
the requisitions had been sent on 10
Washington My the governor and still
the bridges did not come the secretary
of - o Inf roI 10 Lot
action in the matter People forget. in
their haste for improving things. that
there Is much work In the departments
and that such things must wait their
turn. Such has been the case with the
bridge matters in the new country, and
the applications for bridges are now
pending in Washington.
The people of the new country are anx-
ious for the money derived from the sale
Of town lots 10 be utilized in improve
ments. Governor Ferguson Is Of the
opinion that all OF the money derived
from the town lots will be utilized in the
new country, but that the citizens OF
the various counties must conform with
the regulations laid down By the interior
department before the money will go out
by order OF the department. So far very
little of the money has been spent in i'm
provements. but within the next year
the money will be put into bridges and
such things for the benefit Of the new
Sc tiers
Complaints regarding the manner in
which things have been conducted have
been sent in TO Washington and Delegate
Flynn has been appealed to for assist
ance. He has read. to a certain extent.
the Eewspa per criticisms in the new coun-
trpy on the secretary Of the interior and
has written letters stating that Il is his
impression that the fault is with the Of
hcials in the new country. as that upon
investigation he finds that the interior
department has passed upon matters. pro-
viding. Of course. they are properly
drawn up.
Governor FerEuson's time has been al
most completely taken up with these
matters. and it has proved to be one Of
the biggest tasks that any executive in
Oklahoma has ever had to contend with.