Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-09-29


construct, was built at an expense to
the state of but a few hundred dol
lars per mile, and at almost no ex-
pense whatever to Marion county.
THE CAPITAL JOURNAL is au-
thorized to say that Governor Cham
berlain will employ convict labor to
EXTEND THIS MAGNIFICENT
HIGHWAY from the reform school
to the city of Turner. a distance
of three miles, which is now reached
by a very poor excuse of a country
road.
The county road to Turner from
the state reform school is about as
bad as 1t can be with naturally first
class material. Where 1t is thrown
up at all. the roadbed is composed
of COARSE LOOSE ROCK over
which the horses stumble and the
vehicles collapse.
| The Marion county court has tried
to persuade the property owners to
assist the county in constructing a
decent road along there but has met
with but little encouragement. 1t is
doubtful IL an improved modern
highway will ever be constructed
there unless 1t is done with convict
labor.
Governor Chamberlain offers to
complete this highway to Turner IL
the Marion county court will assume
all responsibility therefor AFTER
1T IS CONSTRUCTED. His PROPOSE
tion is that the road should be built
In first class manner and with easy
grades, deep bitches on each side,
good culverts and protection against
washing, and the entire right of way
cleared OF brush and trscs, as has
been done from the reform school |
to this city.
On the part of the county he asks
that the convict built highway be |
kept clear Of loose rocks, be kept in
repair. and as soon as possible BE
Wv '' Wal UT thtSHED
ROCK.
Governor Chamberlain asks that
Marion county take charge of the
highway from Salem to the reform
school In the same manner, as n
condition precedent to his extending
the same to Turner. He Is anxious
to have this done as a demonstra-
tion of what he believes Is A SOUND
AND EQUITABLE SYSTEM of con-
structing highways with convict la
Dor.
He believes In employing the con-
victs In constructing public high
ways. and believes that such high
ways can be built CLEAR ACROSS
THE STATE; that It is proper '
employment of the convlcts, and the I
solution of the problem of what TO :
do with convict labor. so that Il shall
least conflict with free labor, but he J
believes after highway is once con-
'tructed the counties should bear the
expense of maintainance.
The Capital Journal editor has in
.erviewed Judge Scott and he
HEARTILY AGREES WITH THE
GOVERNOR. Judge Scott saws Il
las been the intention OF the county
% nut crushed rock on the road from
Salem to the reform school. but he
loubts whether he can get around
o IL this fall. He says. however.
he road will be cleaned of loose
tones and thoroughly repaired. As
Don as the fall rains come he will
ave the road dragged and complete
smoothed for the winter.
When completed this convict buit
Highway, kept in perfect repair hy
ne county, VIII be a model of good
Dad construction.
The legislature win be called upon
o make a small appropriation to
AIRY ON the extension OF convict
uilt highways. AT LEAST ONE
MILES OF such state
Highway should be constructed In
he next two years, At an expense
4 about two hundred dollars per
hile for grades and team work that
annot be done by the convlcts, the
eneral assembly should appropriate
wenty thousand dollars.
The convict built Highways are NO
'oNGER AN EXPERIMENT. Both
he governor and President Scott. OF
he state Good Roads League, en-
orse the proposition. They are
len OF such broad views that they
Ill not be accused OF favoring any
'eality. The work OF building a
tate highway from Portland to
LN