The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1905-01-05
Hood River Glacier
THURSDAY, JANUARY s, 1905.


The people Of road district No. 8 have
reason to be proud of their achievements
In roadmaking during the past year.
Last year there was strong opposition
70 voting 10-mill special tax for road
improvement. The good roads move
ment in that district had acquired suf-
hcient impetus, however, to carry it
past the sticking point and the tax was
levied. The funds thus provided were
carefully and intelligently expended in
The improvement OF one Of the worst
pieces Of road on the East Side, one
that the past few weeks Of wet weather
would have made impossible with heavy
loads. Today it is the best piece Of
road they have. 1t is surprise to the
natives, and is the most convincing ar
gument in favor Of systematic road i'm
provement that can be presented. The
effect upon the taxpayers of road dis
trict No. 8 can be easily guessed. At
che meeting in the Pine Grove school
house last Tuesday, not a single voice
was heard against the proposition Of
levying another ten-mill tax to contin-
nc the work. Better results are antici-
pated this year than last, because the
district expects to secure the use Of the
l2-ton steam roller which belongs to
The county 10 pack the gravel firmly as
II 10 put on. The results OF the well
directed efforts Of our enterprising East
6iders is valuable object lesson to
every road district in the valley. There
Is no other improvement public or pri-
vate which 90 enhances the value Of
our farms as perfect road. No matter
what state Of cultivation we may at
tain In the operation Of our ranches, or
the perfection or value of the products
we have to offer to the market, our
holdings will always be placed on the
undesirable" list by prospective pur-
chaaers II they should be compelled to
haul these products over swampy,
rocky, ,ill.kept roads; nor can we takethe
pride in, or derive the comfort from
our rural homes when obliged to use
such roads as we can with smooth, firm
highway TO drive over as that being built
by the Pine Grove road district. An
effort was made in the Frankton dis
trict 10 do the same work that has been ac-
complished by the East siders, but it was
promptly voted down. Our good friends
have now an opportunity to see what
they have missed, and will undoubtedly
keep in the procession by inaugurating
the good roads movement in that dis
trict, which is becoming one of the
strongest and best in the valley, and
competent in every way to rapidly put
In many miles Of most excellent roads.
The greater part Of the Frankton dis.
trict, too, has the distinct advantage ol
q naturally solid road bed and close
proximity ostone which may be utilized
proAtably in many places, thus making
1t less expensive than 1t was found in
the Pine Grove district. The Glacier
heartily endorses the action of the citi.
Gems OF the East Side, and the sentiment
expressed in their resolutions published
last week. Our county court will uh-
doubtedly render all the aid at its com
mand to forward the movement. Ore
gon should, and no doubt will be in a
position to claim her portion of the ap-
preparation by the general government
for the building Of permanent roads
when the distribution is made to the
different states. Then will such road
districts as No. 9 reap double reward,
for in the distribution Of this fund by
states, only those districts will receive
assistance that have already taken the
iniative in the matter, and then will re-
ceive no greater sum than that already
devoted 10 this purpose by the individ-
ual district. 1t is, therefore, up to our
other road districts to see il No. 8 car.
ries OF all the honors as well as all the
spoils that belong to the good roads
movement in Hood River valley.
E.s-.=@