The Springfield herald., 1908-07-24
MONEY NEEDED
FOR STATE ROAD
REMARKABLE WORK ACCOM-.
PLIsHEo BY coNvicTs IN
SOUTHERN COLORADO.
WORK SHOULD GO on
NEN LABOR WILLINGLY AND Eff
FICIENTLY WITHOUT ARMED
GUARDS.

Denver.-Arthur c. Jackson, prcsi-
dent of the National Good Roads con-
gress, has returned from a trip 10
Trinidad, where he inspected the state
road being built by convicts. There is
only little money available out OF the
appropriation for the project set aside
by the legislature, and there VIII not
be enough to carry on the work uhtii
more Is secured from the next leGlsi;t-
ture. Mr.. Jackson will remain IN Den
yer few days to see what can be done
to raise the deficit. In an interview ne
gave out the following:
by invitation | spent Tuesday III.
specting the convict camp near Trini-
dad and the work accomplished during
the mast two months. | think most
| remarkable showing has been made
and one that is of the greatest lmrNr-
tance to the state and the nation. Inc
National Good Roads congress is deep
ly interested and surely every citlZeh
of Colorado should be. for down in the
southern part of your state. hidden
among the mountains on the line of
the old Santa Fe trail | found eighty
three men clad in the garb of ordinary
laboring men engaged in wG:H which
when completed will place at the ser
vice of the public a great highway traV-
ersing the state from New Mexico TO
wyoming. Begun but two months ago
it has already progressed far enough
| to Justify the most sanguinr >Xpec's-
| tions of those who were instrumental
| in beginning it.
"One remarkable and it may be un-
for.unate feature is that ii was begun
so very quietly. \ project of such im'
portance one certain to be of such vast
benefit to the state. was surely worthy
| cf some opening ceremonies and much
greater public notice than it has thus
far received
This road is state highway being
built by the state. the laborers em
ployed being prisoners from the peni
tentiary at Canon City. Eighty-three
of them are camped seven miles south
of Trinidad and they have practically
completed three miles of heavy grad
| ing. much of It rock cutting from the
side of the hills SO steep as TO afford
scarcely foothold for goat.
"A visit to the camp will disabuse
the mind Of some popular ideas regard
ing criminals The men | found were
in no way different i'll appearance from
any eighty-three men who might be
gathered together by any contractor
| for work OF Il similar nature. The TACT
that they work not only willingly, but
gladly without armed guards and with
practically no provision to prevent
their escape demonstrates that Colora-
do is not only beginning the making Of
good roads but also making good men
out of her criminal population.
Il learn that this great work so au'
spiciously begun must soon cease un-
Il .Nf
money is advanced until the meeting OF
the legislature. when a generous sum
will surely be provided for carrying for
ward this great work.
1.-The state appropriation of s10,Gsa
has been nearly exhausted and taking
into consideration that new equipment
had to be provided 1t is matter Of
amazement to me that the work could
have been carried forward so complete
ly successful as it has. Highways in
New York cost $1,000 a mile. yet the
people at the last state election. by ii
most decisive vote. authorized the addi-
tional expenditure of s50.O0O0O0 for
highways, and the little state of Mary
| land has recently voted $5,000,O00 fo-
roads.
No state in the Union will be more
directly and Immediately benefited by
Slette HlShN lHdH Noioi tiuo. 81 tiloA
the appropriation of so small sum as
$4,000 really looks ridiculous but the
work at Trinidad demonstrates what
can be done in Colorado and if patri-
otic citizens of the state will now but
rally to the support of those in charge
of the work, it may be quickly com
pleted to the New Mexico line. where |
am informed the territorial Officials
will be ready to carry it forward II
Ration. Thus would be completed the
first and most difficult section of 4
great interstate highway. To permit
matter of such far-reaching impor-
tance to fail at this critical juncture
would be in the nature of a calamity.
The people of Denver, Colorado Spr'n 9
and Pueblo should Immediately join
hands with the people of Trinidad"
Grand Junction Car Line.