East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-05-15

the following letter purporting to be
from a representative of the farmers
living along the old Barlow road
across the Cascade mountains. which
it is proposed to buy for the state for
the sum of $4,000. While the East
Oregonian does not agree with the
promoters of the scheme to buy the
road. it gives them space to explain
their project. The letter is as follows:
welches, Clackamas County. Ore.
May 18th, 1906.
East oregonian Publishing Co.,
Pendleton, Oregon.
Dear Sir: There has been no dis
cussion in the Oregon press of the law
abolishing the Barlow Toll road and
providing for its purchase by the state
and its conversion into a free public
| highway.
The farmers who live along this
| road and who have to pay the tolls
were able to raise enough money to
| circulate the petitions to get this law
on the ballot, but have no money left
with which to make a campaign. We
must, therefore, rely upon the news
papers of the state for a discussion OF
the matter, and believe that the entire
community will sympathize with us in
our effort. We therefore write you
an explanation of the situation.
The Barlow road crosses the Cas-
cade mountains just south of Mt
Hood. There is no other road between
it and the Columbia river on the
north, and not for 100 miles to the
south. If you want to cross the Cas-
cades you must travel over the Bar
low road-and pay toll.
The Barlow road is strip of land
go feet wide and nearly 20 miles long
The owners hold it under grant
made 40 years ago by the federal gov
ernment. Their right to charge toll
has been upheld by the supreme court
The farmers in Clackamas and Was
| CO counties who live in the country
| tributary to this road, have to pay
toll on every head of sheep or cattle
| they drive to Portland. They have t
| pay s2.00 every time they cross th'
mountains in a wagon. There is nj
other road crossing the Cascades.
|
50. Every settler driving from tn
Willamette valley to settle in eastern
Oregon (and there are lots of them
must pay 50 on his little grist of fur
niture.
The owners of the Barlow road di
not initiate the law abolishing tn
tolls and providing for the purchas
of the road. They did not even knoy
It was to be done. They agreed
year ago with our representative t
sell the road for a certain price. w
then initiated the law ourselves an
raised the money to circulate the pc
titions. The owners of the road.
understand, do not want now to SCI
the road. at the price agreed on, $24.
900, but they will be compelled to SCI
II the law passes, as we hold thei
agreement. If the state does not bu
the road next June, we will neve
have another chance to buy the roa
for twice this amount of money. No
could 1t be built over again for 800,
900.
There is no way to get rid of thi
toll road except to buy it. AS tn
state grows it will become an i'm
mensely valuable piece of propert.
In five years when this country
thickly settled 1t will be worth for
tune to own the only pass across tn
Cascades and to have the right
charge toll on it. And the state wi
have to buy 1t sooner or later.
The farmers cannot buv the roa
, themselves. There is no reason VIII
they should. The road is great stat
highway the same as the old Dale
; wagon road was. The legislature al
prorriated several thousand dollars
build The Dalles wagon road. No or
would complain II the state were
! begin to build new highway over til
. Cascades at cost of at least 800
900.
We hope the Oregon press, whic
Is usually ready to help the commo
people. will help the unfortunate IA
mers out in this matter by publishir
this explanation. We have got to g
rid of this toll road. Its existence
a hindrance to the growth of all Gel
tral Oregon. The state should help
and It will never have a better chan
nor as good a chance, as now.
have no money with which to make
campaign, and will have to depei
entirely on the merit of our case.
Yours respectfully,