The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-04-15
BAD ROADS ARE RESPONSIBLE
Magnificent Farming Country Prach-
cally Without Market-Lots of
Thriving People-Hospitality
Rule of the Hour There.
JEWELL, April lS, 1906.

conception VI the '-iVat "SiiN"'N'"' ~
dairy lands OF the Nehalem Valley.
This may be accounted for by the fact
that it is virtually isolated from the
county seat. and the bad condition of
the, roads rendering travel during a
greater portion OF the year almost I'M
passable. There is no more productive
land in the country, but very little Is
cultivated in the country, but very little
the products to market, requiring one
day to go and one day to return with
the expense of staying in Astoria over
one day, the trip consuming three days.
1t can be safely stated that the county
roads to the Nehalem valley are the
poorest of any ON the Pacific coast, al
though at least 100000 has been spent
on the roads during the past fifteen
years, with very little to show for it.
The county sawmill has been near
Jewell the past two winters and
about 100000 feet of road lumber saw
ed Two miles OF the road has been
completed, costing about $4,000 and is
in good condition. This runs from the
james Jamison place to the Jewell
school house. The road from the Med
lev place to Jamison's is almost impas-
sable. very little work having b,en
done on it. The road from the juno
tion to the 0lney school house is also
impossible during the winter and spring
months, no work having been done on
it for the past five years. Three men
could 90 over the road and in one week
put in in condition for travel, One
great fault in the county roads IS that
no ditch is dug on the hillside of the
road giving no opportunity for the wa
ter to drain off, the water standing in
large puddles in the middle of the
roads.
The farmers are busy putting in oats,
potatoes and other crops which are
mostly consumed by the resident farm
ers, very little being hauled to market.
J. W. Walker has fine farm at jew
ell David TWeddle one of the best at
Mishwauke and Gus Gronell at Elsie.
J. c. Reierson has a good farm at e.
sic, only a portion being under culti-
vation. There are other good farms,
comparing favorably with any in the
county, but there is no nducement to
cultivate the lands, as the crops would
only be wasted.
Considerable interest is being taken
in politics and a good vote may be ex-
pected at the primaries and at the
June election. The principle interest
centers upon the representatives to the
legislature, the county Judge, commits
sioner and sheriff. The voters are gen
orally disposed to vote for men and
not party, although the republicans
have preponderence Of the voters.
All of the steelers are interested in
having the Carnahan road law amend
ed SO that road supervisors shall be
elected by the voters of each district;
all the money collected in the district
to be expended in the district, the same
as school funds Also the election Of the
road master at the general election
The election Of an advisory board con-
sisting of three members in each dis
trict,. who shall have the management
of the road funds. 1t is the concensus
Of opinion that the county court has
too much power in the distribution Of
funds and building roads and too much
favoritish is shown. It is also claim
ed that under the present law and the
action of the county court, the funds
are not equally distributed, but certain
favorites secure the lions share of the
money pain in taxes by the people. 1t
is centended that those that pay the
taxes should have a voice in eXpending
the money. and that is impossible I'M.
der the present system adopted by the
county count and provided in the Carna-
han road law, This has caused consid-
cradle censure and unfavorable comment
against the county court and the road
master.
The farmers are the most hospitable
characteristic of the eastern farmers and
are always glad to see their friends
from town, They take the county pa
pers and other periodicals and keep well
posted on the current events of the day
They are interested in the proposed rail-
road and many believe they will have a