Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-07-24
MONEY NEEDED
FOR STATE ROAD
WORK ACCOM-.
PLIsHEp BY coNvIcTs IN
SOUTHERN COLORADO.
WORK SHOULD GO on
MEN LABOR WILLINGLY AND EF-
FIclENTLY WITHOUT ARMED
GUARDS.

Denver.-Arthur C.. Jackson. presi-
dent of the National Good Roads con-
sress, has returned from trip TO
Trinidad, where he inspected the stale
road being built by convicts. There is
only a little money available out OF the
appropriation for the project set aside
by the legislature, and there Will not
be enough to carry on the work until
more is secured from the next legisla-
ture. Mr.. Jackson will remain In Den
yer a few days to see what can De done
to raise the deficit. In an interview he
gave out the following:
by invitation I spent Tuesday In
specting the convict camp near Trini-
dad and the work accomplished during
the past two months. l think most
remarkable showing has been made
and one that is of the greatest impSr-
tance to the state and the nation. The
National Good Roads congress Is deep
" interested and surely every citizen
OF Colorado should be. for down in the
southern part of your state, hidden
among the mountains on the line OF
tho old Santa Fe trail ! found eighty
three men clad in the garb Of ordinary
laboring men engaged in a work which
when completed will place at the ser
vice Of the public a great highway trav-
ersing the state from New Mexico 10
Wyoming. Begun but two months ago
1t has already progressed Tar enough
to Justify the most sanguine expecta-
tons OF those who were instrumental
in beginning 1t.
..One remarkable and It may be un-
fortunate feature is that II was begun
A
portance, one certain to be OF such vast
benefit to the state, was surely worthy
OF some opening ceremonies and much
greater public notice than 1t has thus
far received.
This road is a state highway being
built by the state, the laborers EN-
ployed being prisoners from the peni-
tentiary at Canon City. E.ghty-three
OF them are camped seven miles south
of Trinidad and they have practically
completed three miles OF heavy grad
ing. much of 1t rock cutting from thej
side of the hills SO steep as to afford
scarcely foothold for a 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 in appearance from
any eighty-three men who might be
for work of "a similar nature. The fact
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-
less a comparatively small amount OF
money Is advanced until the meeting OF
the Legislature, when n generous sum
will surely be provided for carrying for
ward this great work. rr---
The state appropriation OF $10.6aa
has been nearly exhausted and taking
into consideration that new equipment
had to be provided II Is a matter Of
amazement to me that the work could
have been carried forward SO complete
ly successful as 1t has. Highways in
New York cost $1,000 a mile. yet the
people ut the last state election. by a
most decisive vote. authorized the addi-
tional expenditure of S50.000.000 for
highways, and the little state OF Mary
land has recently voted $4,000 70.
roads. 20 eli H- .-.#.r- --uE
mo state in the Union will be more
directly and Immediately benefited by
state highways than Colorado, SO that
the appropriation of SO small q sum as
$4,000 really looks ridiculous. but the,
work at Trinidad demonstrates whGSl
can be done in Colorado and IL 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 j,
Ration. Thus would be completed ths
first and most difficult section OF 4
great interstate highway. To permit
n 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 Sprinrs
and Pueblo should Immediately Join